“All men whilst they are awake are in one common world; but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.”
The ancient Greek philosopher Plutarch penned these words centuries ago. Yet, they resonate with a profound truth about the human condition. The quote elegantly captures the duality of our existence. We live in a shared, objective reality when our eyes are open. However, we retreat into a unique, subjective universe when we close them to sleep. This simple observation unpacks complex ideas about consciousness, reality, and what it means to be an individual within a collective.
The Common World of Wakefulness
When we are awake, we inhabit a world governed by shared rules. The laws of physics, for example, apply to everyone equally. Gravity pulls you down just as it pulls me down. Furthermore, we navigate a common social and cultural landscape. We use shared languages to communicate complex ideas. We follow established laws and social norms to coexist peacefully. This collective reality allows for collaboration, community, and the entire structure of civilization. Without this common ground, society could not function.
This shared world is the realm of objectivity. While our interpretations may differ, the fundamental facts remain constant for all. A red stop sign is red for every driver with typical color vision. A historical event occurred on a specific date. In addition, our senses provide a continuous stream of data from this external world, anchoring our consciousness in a reality we all experience together. It is this very commonality that allows us to build relationships, share knowledge, and create a collective history. We build bridges, both literal and metaphorical, because we agree on the space that separates us.
The Private Universe of Sleep
Everything changes the moment we fall asleep. The common world fades away, and we become solitary travelers in a realm of our own making. Dreams are intensely personal experiences. They are constructed from our individual memories, fears, hopes, and anxieties. No one else can enter your dream. Similarly, you cannot visit the dream of another. This private world is not bound by logic or the laws of physics. In dreams, you can fly, talk to long-lost relatives, or find yourself in surreal landscapes.
This inner world is the pinnacle of subjectivity. Source It is a space where the subconscious mind has free rein to create narratives and scenarios. Psychologists and neuroscientists have long studied this phenomenon. Indeed, many modern theories suggest that dreams play a crucial role in our mental health. They help us process emotions, consolidate memories, and solve problems. . The dream world, therefore, is not just a random series of images. It is a deeply meaningful and functional aspect of our consciousness, a world tailored exclusively for an audience of one.
The Philosophical Divide
Plutarch’s quote highlights a timeless philosophical debate: the nature of objective versus subjective reality. The waking world represents the objective, the verifiable, the reality we can all point to and agree upon. In contrast, the dream world represents the subjective, the personal, and the unverifiable. It raises fascinating questions about the nature of consciousness itself. Which reality is more “real”? Is the world we construct in our minds any less valid than the one we experience with our senses?
While the waking world demands our participation in a collective, the world of sleep reminds us of our ultimate individuality. This balance is essential. We need the common world to connect and survive. We also need our private world to process, understand, and define ourselves. The average person spends about one-third of their life sleeping. This means we dedicate a significant portion of our existence to this private, internal world, emphasizing its importance.
Modern Echoes of an Ancient Idea
Interestingly, Plutarch’s observation has found new relevance in the digital age. The internet and social media have created a new type of