Single Idea 6668

Given the paradoxical nature of the 'present' moment, maybe we should understand ALL consciousness as memory, with the split second of the 'specious present' being very vivid and very brief memory, with the rest of the mind remembering in lower degrees.

Gist of Idea

If the present does not exist, then consciousness must be memory of the immediate past

Source

David Marshall (talk [2004]), quoted by PG - Db (ideas)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000]

A Reaction

This strikes me as a highly plausible, and very illuminating remark. For the time paradox, see Ideas 1904 and 5102. Anyone researching consciousness in the brain should think about this, because it will just be a special sort of memory neurons.

Related Ideas

Idea 1904
Time must be unlimited, but past and present can't be non-existent, and can't be now, so time does not exist [Sext.Empiricus]

Idea 5102
If all of time has either ceased to exist, or has not yet happened, maybe time does not exist [Aristotle]

Idea 4919
There seems to be no dividing line between a memory and a thought [Carter,R]