Have you ever wondered why you are here, at this precise moment, reading these words? Why can it do it and, at the same time, be aware of it? How is it possible that we, made of the same matter as everything else, are aware? How can such a tiny particles generate so many questions?
These questions have fascinated humanity for centuries. Philosophers, religious and scientific leaders of all times have dedicated countless hours to unraveling these mysteries of our existence. Today, the study of consciousness is more alive than ever, with scientists developing theories and models to explore the enigma.
But here a key question arises: how do we define consciousness? Although it may seem simple, it is a real challenge.
A dificle experience of transmitting
For example, I can understand what it means to be aware because I live it, but explain to someone or something without conscience can be impossible.
At this time, I am perceiving endless sensations and stimuli. I could describe what I see on my computer, what am I breathing or that I have a green object in front, but how to explain the sound of a keyboard to someone who has never heard it? How to narrate the experience of seeing someone who has always been blind, or the feeling of breathing someone who does not have that capacity? These are subjective qualities of my experience, difficult to transmit to those who do not share them.
Experts have established a key distinction between two types of consciousness: phenomenological and functional. The first refers to “what you feel” when experiencing something. The first immerses us in the world of subjective experiences, leading us to ask us questions of the type “How do you perceive the red color?” o Explore thoughts like those of the famous essay How does it feel to be a bat?.
In essence, phenomenological consciousness focuses on the experiential aspect and our subjectivity, deeply entering how we live and understand our own sensations and perceptions.
In contrast, functional consciousness deals with its role within cognitive processes and the behaviors of an organism. Analyze how our subjective experiences influence our way of thinking, decision making and our daily actions. This dimension is essentially pragmatic and explores how our perceptions and thoughts interact and affect our daily behavior, facilitating our navigation around the world.
It is a differentiation that is not exempt from debate. Some argue that both facets of consciousness are intrinsically intertwined and cannot be easily separated, while others believe they can exist independently.
The philosophical zombie experiment
A fascinating example that illustrates this discussion is the mental experiment of the philosophical zombie: Imagine a human who seems, acts and speaks as a conscious being, but who lacks any form of consciousness. This being has no subjective experiences and, despite its external appearance, it does not have an “inner world.” Although for some it is an unlikely scenario, it serves to demonstrate that, at least in the imagination, the functional and phenomenological properties of consciousness can be separated.
This debate is aligned directly with the great challenges in the study of consciousness, known as the easy problem and the difficult problem. The first implies understanding the functional aspects of the brain that enable consciousness, such as perception and cognition, while the difficult problem implies elucidating why and how we have subjective and qualitative experiences.
Despite the advances in the study of consciousness, the second continues to be one of the most persistent mysteries. Some theorists consider it as an insoluble puzzle, suggesting that perhaps we will never be able to completely understand why we have subjective experiences. Others go even further, proposing that the difficult problem, or even consciousness itself, are nothing more than illusions.
However, unraveling this mystery, or at least try, does not decrease the wonder of consciousness. In fact, the understanding of its complexities can make the experience of consciousness even more fascinating.
It is a reflection that resonates with the innate curiosity of the human being about fundamental questions: why are we alive? Why is something anywhere? Why does the universe exist? These questions, which may not have definitive answers, are essential for our existence and reflect a deep desire to understand our place in the cosmos.
What if it is an unanswered question?
In his Criticism of pure reason (1781), Immanuel Kant captured this dilemma by pointing out that human reason is destined to face questions that cannot be ignored, but are also beyond their ability to answer.
This aspect of the human condition initially caused me fear, the idea that the problem of consciousness could remain unsolved. However, over time, I have learned to value and marvel at these mysteries.
In an era dominated by artificial intelligence, where more and more secrets are unveiled, the enigmas that remain unresolved add a special charm to our experience and motivate our curiosity.
Ultimately, this represents the final border of science: the search for answers to questions that seem impossible to solve. These mysteries not only challenge our understanding, but also enrich our experience of the world, keeping alive the flame of exploration and astonishment.
This article was a finalist in the IV edition of the young dissemination contest organized by the Lilly Foundation and The Conversation Spain.
