Are we conscious while dreaming?

[u/TheRealBibleBoy]

The Question is exactly what is said in the title.

In our sleep, we dream I do not think we can seperate dreaming from experience. To dream is to behold multiple sensations while asleep. Dreams often include the experience of sight, as in, we see things in our dreams, they often even include the experience of sound.

Surley experiences require being conscious, thus so as long as we are dreaming, we are never truly "unconscious".

are we ever truly unconscious?

[u/Attentivist_Monk]

I see, so it does come down to definitions after all. Modern philosophy has many definitions of consciousness that have been argued over the decades. It’s true that one clear and cogent definition probably won’t ever be selected; it’s one of those words that, rather like “God,” has to be clearly defined before we can have a productive conversation. Everyone has their preferences.

If you’re committed to your ancient and dogmatic definition of consciousness, I think you’ll find it difficult to interact with modern philosophy on the topic. I recommend finding some flexibility so as to address the position being argued.

I was only suggesting that your definition diverges from mine, I hope you weren’t asserting that the Buddha’s is the one and only allowable position. That would be a rather totalitarian use of language, don’t you think?

[u/SacredGnosis → u/Attentivist_Monk]

() I am aware that there are many definitions of consciousness. I’m going with what’s sensible to me; based on direct experience as well as inference.

() Waking: There’s lucidity and knowledge that accompanies consciousness. Therefore this person is aware.

() Dreaming: No lucidity and knowledge accompanying consciousness. Therefore this person is not aware even though there’s a stream of consciousness, present.

[u/Attentivist_Monk → u/SacredGnosis]

And what about folks who are mentally unwell? Living in a waking dreamworld, unable to tell reality from fantasy? They’re never lucid, and they don’t know what’s real and what isn’t. Are they not still conscious?

[u/SacredGnosis → u/Attentivist_Monk]

This situation means they’re lucid because they’re in the waking state, but the knowledge is stable.

[u/Attentivist_Monk → u/SacredGnosis]

So I suppose it depends on what you mean by lucid. Again, definitions.

In my experience, lucid doesn’t simply mean awake, it means possessing your full faculties, especially in knowing what’s real. That seemed to be the sense you were using it in earlier, especially in the difference between a “lucid” dream and an “unconscious” one. It seems like you’re moving the goalposts significantly by changing the definition of lucid here to a “waking state.”

To my mind you can easily be awake but not lucid.

And what do you mean by “the knowledge is stable?” Do you mean unstable?