Editing Aristotle (section)

==== Dreams ====

{{further|Dream#Other}}

Aristotle describes sleep in ''On Sleep and Wakefulness''.{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–423}} It is a result of overuse of the senses{{sfn|Shute|1941|pp=115–118}} or of digestion,{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–23}} and is vital to the body.{{sfn|Shute|1941|pp=115–118}} While a person is asleep, the critical activities, which include thinking, sensing, recalling and remembering, do not function. Since a person cannot sense during sleep, they cannot have desire. However, the senses work during sleep,{{sfn|Shute|1941|pp=115–118}} albeit differently.{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–423}}

Dreams do not involve sensing a stimulus. Sensation is involved, but in an altered manner.{{sfn|Shute|1941|pp=115–118}} Aristotle explains that when a person stares at a moving stimulus such as the waves in a body of water, and then looks away, the next thing they look at appears to have a wavelike motion. When a person perceives a stimulus and it is no longer the focus of their attention, it leaves an impression.{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–423}} When the body is awake, a person constantly encounters new stimuli and so the impressions of previous stimuli are ignored.{{sfn|Shute|1941|pp=115–118}} However, during sleep the impressions made throughout the day are noticed, free of distractions.{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–423}} So, dreams result from these lasting impressions. Since impressions are all that are left, dreams do not resemble waking experience.{{sfn|Modrak|2009|pp=169–181}} During sleep, a person is in an altered state of mind, like a person who is overtaken by strong feelings. For example, a person who has a strong infatuation with someone may begin to think they see that person everywhere. Since a person sleeping is in a suggestible state and unable to make judgements, they become easily deceived by what appears in their dreams, like the infatuated person.{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–423}} This leads them to believe the dream is real, even when the dreams are absurd.{{sfn|Holowchak|1996|pp=405–423}} In ''De Anima'' iii 3, Aristotle ascribes the ability to create, to store, and to recall images to the faculty of imagination, ''phantasia''.{{sfn|Shields|2016}}

One component of Aristotle's theory disagrees with previously held beliefs. He claimed that dreams are not foretelling and not sent by a divine being. Aristotle reasoned that instances in which dreams resemble future events are simply coincidences.{{sfn|Webb|1990|pp=174–184}} Any sensory experience perceived while a person is asleep, such as actually hearing a door close, does not qualify as part of a dream. Images of dreams must be a result of lasting impressions of waking sensory experiences.{{sfn|Modrak|2009|pp=169–181}}