Dreams and Meaning

Does dreaming have a purpose, or is it the random side-effect of a resting brain? Science can debate the physiological significance of that question, but for you it boils down to whether or not you feel affected by your dreams. Some people claim never to remember their dreams, and some cling tenaciously to the attitude that even horrible nightmares are 'just dreams' and signify nothing but the precious sleep they displace.

In the following explanations, we will assume that dreams are
meaningful and purposeful, and that, just as bleeding signifies a physical wound, so does a disturbing dream signify a disturbed psyche. And just as a band-aid can keep that wound from getting infected, so can a good interpretation help the psyche!

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Why Do Dreams Happen?

The first question usually asked about dreaming is, "What is its purpose?" We can look at a particular attribute (say, the human ear) and say that it has a specific, meaningful purpose because it evolved through a process of mutation and natural selection. On the other side, we might look at a 'useless' organ such as the appendix, and suggest that natural selection does not necessarily apply to a species which already dominates its environment, as humans have done for a long time.