Philosophy For Our Times The unconscious mind: Is the unconscious real?
Sep 9, 2025
Join Josh Cohen, a psychoanalyst and professor of literature; Barbara Tversky, a psychological expert on memory and creativity; and Edward Harcourt, an Oxford philosopher who studies consciousness, as they delve into the labyrinth of the unconscious mind. They discuss how unconscious motivations drive compulsive behaviors, the significance of emotional wounds in therapy, and the complexities of human desires. This lively conversation challenges the listener to consider the role of the unconscious in shaping identity and personal growth.
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Unconscious As Irreducible Human Dimension
- Josh Cohen argues the unconscious is essential because it makes us strange to ourselves and withdraws from direct observation.
- He claims its manifestations appear in dreams, jokes, symptoms and art rather than as a localizable object.
Unconscious As Background Attention Filter
- Barbara Tversky describes unconscious content as ordinary background information like hunger or uncomfortable shoes that we can bring to consciousness when prompted.
- She argues that unconscious storage of sensations and memories prevents paralysis by limiting conscious focus.
Everyday Examples Showing Hidden Processes
- Edward Harcourt gives everyday examples like missing a fox you later swerved to avoid to show unconscious perception guiding action.
- He also recounts the four pairs of socks experiment to illustrate unconscious preferences and post-hoc rationalizations.
