Many people remember fewer dreams as they age. This can lead to the assumption that dreaming becomes less important over time. A downward trend in recall is not inescapable, however, and the truth is that valuable insights from dreaming can blossom forth at any time of life, from early childhood all the way to our elder years.

A beautiful illustration of the capacity for dream-inspired growth in old age appears in Plato’s dialogue Phaedo, which describes the final days of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates. The dialogue opens with........

© Psychology Today