The Problem Solving Nature of the Unconscious Mind

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McCarthy: The problem solving nature of the unconscious, like it just really, I don't need a study to tell me this. But stepping aside from a problem when you've been thinking about it so much is, I think, does wonders for you. And what's interesting is how this can even be true of certain language-based problems, which is kind of what he's talking about,.

The Summer of Cormac McCarthy continues – this time we dive into his one piece of non-fiction, the short essay “The Kekulé Problem.” How does our unconscious mind solve problems that conscious deliberation can’t crack? Why does it often work elliptically, in code, rather than giving us the answer directly in language? Is McCarthy right that the unconscious doesn’t trust language because it’s such a newcomer to the human brain?

Plus we select the finalists for our listener selected episode – thanks to our beloved patrons for all their terrific suggestions!

"The Kekulé Problem" by Cormac McCarthy

Pinker & Bloom 1990

Dijksterhuis & Strick 2016