Enai

So, how do you explain false memories? My father, for instance, remembers two middle-aged people engaging in very lewd behaviour during a christmas party I also attended. Neither me nor my sisters nor my mother can even imagine the two people he accuses of misbehaving so to do anything remotely resembling his accusations. (Think of two southern baptists fellating each other in front of the congregation, something in that ballpark).

Clearly, this memory wasn't experienced, though it is, equally obviously, a real memory to my father. He's totally convinced that this happened, and nothing will sway him.

Enai

Darth Dane

False or no false, it was experienced. Your father does not deny it happened, HE experienced it, how else could he tell about it?

When you dream, do you remember it?

You remember it, because you experienced it.

No one else, I imagine, can tell you that what you dreamt didn't happen. You did dream it nes pas?

Enai

He didn't experience it, as it didn't happen. He also only started complaining about the lewd couple several years after the fact.

Also, psychological research has found that you can make a person remember something with certainty by asking leasding questions only. In the test, several people were told to relax, and to try to remember a night they slept through, soundly, and with no disturbances. They were then asked questions about that night, one of them being "Do you remember a sudden loud noise, like a car door banging, that woke you?". I don't recall how many answered "Yes" to that question, but I recall that all who did also believed that during the night they themselves had selected because they had slept so soundly, and without disturbance, they heard a car door banging, and it woke them.

So, please answer my question: How do you explain false memories?
Otherwise I'll assume you haven't thought your ideas through, and are unable to come to an understanding of it's obvious gaps.

Enai

Darth Dane

Does your dream happen, or are they false memories?

Ever had two memories mingle? Maybe thats the reason.

There is a way to find out...ask the persons involved, or is there a taboo against such questions?

Enai

Quit shifting the goalpost.

Enai

Darth Dane

Quit shifting your aim...