Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Coping with Amnesia
For few days now, I've been wondering about amnesia and the aftermath of it. For me, I wouldn't be able to fully recover unless otherwise, I wouldn't be able to cope with the fact of having amnesia. Having amnesia would certainly change my perspective on some things because of my past experiences and what I've gained from them. Now my question is, would you be able to cope with amnesia and how would your perspective change on the world and other judgements?
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If I were to have amnesia, I would definitely be extremely frustrated not knowing really who I am or where I came from. However, at the same time, losing all of my past experiences would cause me to no longer rely on my empirical knowledge (since it is no longer avaibable to me) and I would start to have to evaluate things from a more rational perspective. Getting amnesia would be terrible, but at the same time would open up a new possibility to truly be dasein or my "own being" as Heidegger says. It would also be interesting to begin to piece my life back together through the people that are in my life and change all the things that I've heard about myself that I do not like.
ReplyDeleteInteresting question, I have never thought about this before…
ReplyDeleteI feel two ways about full on amnesia, as you can lose all or part of your memory. In one sense I would feel debilitated, as so many around me would have memory and I would have to start from the very beginning. I think there would be sadness in those who love me or know me, as my memory of them and their importance and value in my mind would be wiped.
Though, on the other hand amnesia can bring us back to a child like wonder, which can be freeing and liberating. I would rely on the moment to guide me through life, and be open to each new experience however big or small. Also, I think fear and loneliness might arise. So it would be a mixture of good and bad.
Regardless, in relation to knowledge and philosophy I can identify with what Bertrand Russell says, “Hence also free intellect will value more the abstract and universal knowledge into which the accident of private history do not enter…” The loss of memory through amnesia frees one of the chains of past judgments, experience, and subjective knowledge, leaving a more abstract approach to life. My perspective would definitely change.
I disagree with Alana, as I think at my age (20) to lose my memory and have no prior knowledge of what I value, believe, or know would leave me at the whim of others. And since I would seem to be behind in what I know I may follow impressionably those who may not be the best teachers. I think at a certain age one has to naturally separate from their families and create their own life and value systems. But having no memory would take away that opportunity or (maybe) will.
I think if I were to have amnesia my entire personality change.I think I would become a completley different person with a different set of morals. Our morals are instilled in us pretty early in life so I think we'd definitely become different people believing in different and possibly opposing beliefs. And since morals are all relative even living in moderation to lead what Aristotle would call a virtuous life would change its context as different people may posses too much of a quality while others not enough.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have its benefits to not remember certain things. You could witness a terrible car crash where dozens were killed, 26 injured and just suddenly not remember it. How great would that be? You would always have a fresh start being happy; your very own personal utopia.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, you wouldn't remember the happy moments, like with friends and loved (much stress on the ed on loved) ones. Memories wouldn't hold and experience would be lost.
So basically you be stuck with what you knew, and, well, it wouldn't be much different from being stuck in an unending loop of time; except for the fact that you would eventually die.
But imagine another case, where time actually did infinitely repeat, and you never knew it. Would it really be that much different? A bit off topic, sorry :P.
Anyway, unless there was a way to cure the amnesia, you wouldn't have much to worry about--unless all you remembered was terrible things-- because you would be in your very own utopia.
It's all about adapting. If one had amnesia, there isn't much you can do but live with it. If anything, it may grant you a fresh start and give a person second chances they've been looking for.
ReplyDeleteIf we explore what Alice was saying about her paper, and forgetting certain past memories to explore the future with more possibility, then amnesia would be the perfect cure, in a sense.
Yes, there is the notion that memories might come back, but who's to say it doesn't take months or years before they do. That can grant the window to venture into oneself and build newer character. For if one's memory does return, it may not necessarily hinder said person, but allow them to right past failures or faults.
If anything, I think Bertrand would say this is the highest level at which you can free yourself. It's like a person is a newborn all over again, learning slowly but with the basics still in play. No prejudice because you can't remember it and no set thoughts because they are no longer 'there'.
If I were ever hit with a case of amnesia, I don’t think it would matter whether I could cope or not because I would be already stuck in that void. As we grow up, we are told that we must rely on past experience in order to live in the present and make decisions in the future. At no point do we ever stop to smell the flowers. Camus explained the need to admire and to physically “take in” the world around us. We place too much emphasis on our memories and thoughts, when there is a whole new realm waiting to be explored right in front of us. Yes, losing your past would be devastating, but there is no shortage of new revelations waiting to be explored.
ReplyDeleteHaving lost your memories, you would lose all of your biases and prejudices as well. You could start over mentally and learn anew. You would gain a new perspective on life and it would be quite beneficial, to be able to look at an old situation with a new mindset.
I think we'd all become better people if we got amnesia :]
ReplyDeleteIn my altered and troubled state of mind I know I would still apreciate little things. We would all be more aware of our surroundings and appreciate beauty. I think Camus would agree with me, since, right now we've all formed a certain personality and we act upon our past experiences. That is why, every time we're facing a situation, we have two choices. If that initial personality and developed state of mind and morals are missing, then we develop something else..
I have always wondered what it would be like to have amnesia. In fact, I wish I could have a special case of amnesia, one where I can selectively forget anything. I absolutely agree with the saying that ignorance is bliss, and I believe that the search for happiness would be an effortless task.
ReplyDeleteFor starters, imagine you are able to read every single book, watch every movie, or listen to every song you have ever loved again and again without ever losing the appeal of novelty.
Imagine if you are able to completely ignore every little thing in your life that doesn't matter, but still gets under your skin - like the noise coming from the Rubik's cube that Asian guy's always tinkering with.
Finally, imagine the grounds for self improvement that could come with this skill. It doesn't get any easier than simply forgetting all the anxieties associated with public speaking to gain total confidence. Everyone has something they don't like about their personalities (me being an exception), and if you wanted that to be changed, just forget some of the memories/experiences that are associated with that part of you. You could even take it to the extremes and lie to yourself to be happy, people do it all the time, this is potentially a great and harmless tool if one used it with caution.
Go and see the movie "Momento". It is a great movie and is related to this topic and epistemology. While watching, just remember that you can CHOOSE to forget ANYTHING.