Self and World

In ordinary states of consciousness, we find ourselves rooted in a distinct location within our environment. This rootedness is not just about our physical presence, but a profound sense of ourselves as a subject of experience – a sensation often termed the “seat” of consciousness. This intimate feeling is referred to as embodiment: the sensation of the mind being intricately tethered to the body.

The embodiment, our grounding sensation in our body, plays a pivotal role in our sense of self and our perception of the world. Such interplay between subjective experience and physical senses, spanning evolutionary epochs, has intricately shaped our understanding of both the internal and external realms.

Yet, this symbiotic relationship births a paradox: While our interaction with the environment fashions our self-awareness, it simultaneously paints a sense of separation between our self and the world. We are invariably left contemplating: How is the self distinct from the world? How does our brain architect these perceptions?

Faculties of Consciousness: From Body to Mind

At the foundation, our interactions with the world are channeled through sensory inputs – the raw, unfiltered data relayed by receptors such as:

Chemoreceptors (detecting chemical changes)
Thermoreceptors (sensing temperature shifts)
Mechanoreceptors (responding to touch and pressure)
Photoreceptors (capturing light for vision)

As evolution sculpted these sensors to be more refined, the brain’s associative realms expanded in tandem. This symbiotic evolution allowed a heightened sophistication in comprehending both our inner selves and the vast external world. Additionally, our proprioception or kinesthesia grants us the unique ability to perceive our body’s movement and position – yet another vital layer to our embodiment.

Further transcending the primal, we encounter the Volitional Self. This realm anchors our sense of agency, ranging from tangible actions to abstract intentions. As we ascend these faculties of consciousness, we encounter the Narrative Self – our capacity to weave our experiences into a cohesive, continuous story, capturing the myriad facets of our identity: social, psychological, spiritual, cultural, and historical.

While these abstract renditions of self owe their genesis to nurture and the brain’s recently evolved cortical regions, the primal senses remain anchored in our biological processes and vital physical functions.

Exploring the Boundaries of Consciousness

My research delves deep into these faculties of consciousness, striving to unravel the enigmatic dance of separation and connection between the self and the world. By blending philosophical, psychological, and neuroscientific vistas, I aim to elucidate the delicate interface of the brain with broader scientific paradigms.

What we often perceive as a clear reflection of reality is but one manifestation of a vast spectrum. As I navigate the intricate corridors of knowledge, spanning philosophy and science, I’m drawn to a revelation: Reality is malleable, with its very fabric interwoven with biological threads. To truly grasp this, I venture into altered states of consciousness, from dreams and meditative tranquillities to the perturbations brought forth by brain injuries, ailments, and psychedelic experiences. Such states bear testimony to the myriad potentialities of consciousness, urging us to question our own foundational beliefs about reality.

“Perception is not a simple process of receiving information from the outside world. It is an active, constructive process that involves the mind and brain working together to make sense of the sensory inputs we receive.”

— – Daniel Kahneman, Psychologist and Nobel Laureate