The philosophy of the Buddhist tradition resonates prominently with what we have seen about self-awareness in Part I and about the nature of life in Part II. It is also very much in line with our title. Being and becoming is the kernel of these Buddhist teachings. We will point out the similarities with the findings of science in the aspects that can help endure life and simplify our lives so...
In this chapter the basis of the perception of the body is explored. Related to body perceptions, we shall talk about illusions of ownership and out-of-body experiences. The question of free will be addressed and illustrated with some clinical examples, especially with epileptic patients, that will show what seizures reveal about volition. We will talk about neurostimulation done in patients...
This chapter reviews very briefly some concepts of the self and consciousness throughout history. Hellenistic, Roman and mediaeval neuroscience concepts are described. Parallels with the scientific perspectives explained in the previous chapters are explained.
This chapter provides an overview of the notions of consciousness and the problems that arise with the attempts at defining it. We will explain the essence and source of the apparent mystery of consciousness. To address these issues we will talk about the concept of emergence.
The formation of DID “alters” is examined in the light of what these dissociative phenomena may say about the concepts of the self and consciousness. We will see that each alter is capable of independent thoughts, emotions, sense of self, memories and distinct ways of behaving.
An idea that has been permeating is that as more complexity in simple terms more brain cells and connected neural circuits develops in the nervous system, the more likely it is that high intelligence and the sense of personal identity arises. We will address this issue of complexity in the nervous system and what it says about consciousness and self-awareness.
In this chapter, we will see how it is possible to diminish our selves. Phenomenal self-consciousness involves a relation between the self and objects; the more and stronger the connections between the individual and objects or other people, the greater nourishment for the sense of self. In our world with so many opportunities to possess things, robust attachments arise. Reducing the...