Aristotle was wrong

Let’s go back in time to ancient Greece and meet Aristotle, one of history’s greatest thinkers.

In his quest to understand the human mind, he stumbled upon phantasia. Phantasia is the capacity between perception and thought, almost like a ‘sixth sense.‘

Aristotle describes this capacity as “that in virtue of which an image occurs in us.“

He believed that thoughts require images; that whenever we think about something, we automatically “see” it in our minds.

Well, it turns out Aristotle was wrong!

Some people, like me, can’t create mental pictures. Not for thoughts, memories, or images of the future.

We lack this “picture-it” system completely.

The rediscovery of aphantasia by neurologist Adam Zeman proves Aristotle was wrong: Thoughts *don’t* require images.

Our minds can process ideas, concepts, memories, and emotions without mental pictures.

This variation shows that our minds work in different ways. It challenges ancient knowledge and calls to question ideas about memory, creativity, and even consciousness itself.

Discovering aphantasia is a journey of self-discovery and understanding. In Aristotle’s own words, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”.

Thank you for venturing down the aphantasia rabbit hole with me. Learn more about Aristotle and our ‘sixth sense.’