Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The ability to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel through the mind’s eye. Visual sensations clearly produced in the mind. In psychiatry, formation of images, concepts, and ideas. The production of vivid mental representations by the normal processes of thought. Hypnagogic imagery occurs just before falling asleep, and the images are often very distinct. Hypnopompic…

The tendency to seek information that supports and to avoid that which contradicts a particular belief.  

The effect of a spoken or written phrase, the meaning of which is different than its grammatical function. For example, the phrase, “What’s up?” is not necessarily meant to be a question but rather a statement of greeting.  

One of the stages of disease characterized by the appearance of specific signs and symptoms.  

Any activity undertaken by persons who feel ill to discover what is wrong and what can be done about it. The ways in which an individual acts or reacts to his or her own illness or the illness of a family member. Common reactions include frustration, anxiety, denial, anger, and withdrawal. A characteristic pattern of…

A visual acuity test using the letter E with the arms placed randomly facing in various directions. Generally used with very young children or those who are unable to read, STYCAR; Snellen eye test.  

The inability to read and/or write at a functional level. Being unable to read and write or to use written language to interpret graphs, charts, tables, maps, symbols, and formulas.  

A drug that is not used in a legal way, even when it is not an illegal drug.  

A short-circuiting surgical procedure that establishes a connection between the ileum and some part of the colon. A surgical operation to make a link directly between the ileum and the colon. A surgical operation in which the ileum is joined to some part of the colon. It is usually performed when the right side of…