Under anesthesia, where do our minds go?

Re:Under anesthesia, where do our minds go? by wizofaus on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @05:01AM (#32248322)

I'd say Alzheimer's is essentially the inability to lay down memories that can be recalled beyond a very short period of time (in extreme cases, seconds). But once your brain can no longer store ANY recallable memories, you're unconscious.

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Re:Under anesthesia, where do our minds go? by Ekaros on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @05:20AM (#32248432)

Can you react to stimuli without being able to store any recallable memories? At least somewhat more complex stimuli than pain or bright light.

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Re:Under anesthesia, where do our minds go? by wizofaus on Wednesday July 27, 2022 @06:49AM (#32248894)

Sure, I would say it happens quite a lot (certainly while we're infants).

My only point is that to be conscious is tautologically to know that one is conscious. And knowledge is dependent on having (= being able to recall) a memory of something. Yes, colloquially there are instinctual forms of 'knowledge' where you get some vague sense something must be true (despite having no information to determine one way or another), but I'd suggest that's probably a misuse of the term.

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