Can the Blind See? Dreams & Imagination of the Visually Impaired

[ScienceGurl]

Can the Blind "See"?

Quote: Talking of dreams anybody know what people who were born blind 'see' in their dreams?

This is a quote from someone in the forums I found in a thread (Sorry! I can't remember your username! Tell me if you wrote the quote! lol! ) and it made me think. Can the blind actually see? Like how do they imagine and dream if they can't actually see. Can they just see in their minds? <<Is it something that God gave them even though they can't physically see? I think that's a pretty tough question to answer unless you ask a blind person...But its a good question to think about. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Evo]

There are many common topics that have been discussed here many times. Please be sure that you have searched for the subject before opening a new thread.

A thread discussing this is here https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=169976

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

I am trained to approach questions with an evidence-based and objective perspective. In this case, the question of whether the blind can "see" in their dreams and imagination is a complex one.

Firstly, it is important to clarify that there is a difference between physical sight and the perception of visual images. People who are blind may not have the ability to physically see, but they can still have the ability to imagine and perceive visual images in their minds.

Research has shown that the brain is capable of creating visual images even in the absence of visual input. This is known as mental imagery and it involves the same brain regions that are activated when a person is actually seeing something. Therefore, it is possible for blind individuals to "see" in their dreams and imagination through mental imagery.

Furthermore, studies have also shown that blind individuals can have highly vivid and detailed dreams, similar to those of sighted individuals. This suggests that the ability to imagine and perceive visual images is not dependent on physical sight.

It is also important to recognize that the experience of being blind is unique to each individual. Some blind individuals may have been born without the ability to see, while others may have lost their sight later in life. This can impact the way they perceive and imagine visual information.

In conclusion, while the blind may not have the ability to physically see, they can still have the ability to imagine and perceive visual images in their minds through mental imagery. This is a fascinating area of research and further studies are needed to fully understand the complexities of visual perception in the blind population.