When we sleep are we really asleep? Or are our eyes still open and our lids shut so we are just looking at the back of our eyelids? My 5 year old son came up with this! What do you think?
2007-03-02 08:03:31 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Our eyes are always open in a sense - even with eyelids closed. But our brain shuts off consciously (for the most part. We're conscious enough to be aware of danger, etc. sometimes). Our brain is still active even while we're sleeping though. It's refueling itself.
2007-03-02 08:07:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I asked something like this when I was a kid so your son is obviously amongst the smart people! LOL
Anyhoo, my Dad told me to test it. He said that when I went to bed, I should try to keep my eyes open all night. If I could then it meant you really didn't sleep because you could choose to keep your eyes open all night. But, if you woke up and it had gone from night to morning without you realising then you really must sleep. That was enough for me or probably any kid at that age who will, of course, inevitably fall asleep. When I woke up and realised I'd missed most of the night time I was convinced that we really do sleep. It's not science but it should be good enough for your smart 5 year old!
2007-03-02 08:23:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are asleep and when we are dreaming, about all the wonderful things we have seen and hope to see again. Our eye lids act like little movie screens for our imaginations.
2007-03-02 09:48:50 · answer #3 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, explain to me, how can your eyes still b open if your eye lids are shut. As far as I knew shutting your eye lids was shutting your eyes. Your kid has some imagination you should praise him for that.
2007-03-02 09:12:07 · answer #4 · answered by Deathwish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our eyes only see what our brain is able to interpret, therefore our eyes are never closed because our mind is always working.
For example: when Columbus anchored ship of the coast of North America, The Native Americans apparently couldn't see the ships. The chief gradually started to see them when he noticed the strange ripples in the water. He then pointed them out and described them to his people, who then also could finally see the ships. In short, their brains had to learn how to see the ships.
Also, when we sleep, are brains are still working: otherwise we wouldn't wake up! Therefore, based on my above statements, our eyes are still open when we sleep.
This is why I love children: they make us question our pre-conceived (and often prejudiced) ideas :-)
2007-03-06 01:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, when you're asleep your eyes don't look at your blank eyelids. When you're in the REM sleep, they roll into your head abit.
2007-03-02 08:16:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we are asleep. It's when the body repairs itself. I awoke once but my body didn't know (I know this sounds odd), my body was in terrible pain. that's when I realised that sleep has more to it than we really understand.
2007-03-02 08:13:47 · answer #7 · answered by Curious39 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beletje-v has answered it. The brain closes down unnecessary functions when we sleep.
2007-03-02 08:25:28 · answer #8 · answered by ED SNOW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We r and we arent. Let me explain, when were dreaming were thinking which means were not sleeping. When were not dreaming were sleeping. See when were dreaming were not sleeping not awake but thinking.
2007-03-02 09:00:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he might have a promising future in philosophy.
2007-03-02 08:08:18 · answer #10 · answered by Wisdom in Faith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋