SYSTEM-BOUND CONSCIOUSNESS, SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS

AND CONSCIOUSNESS-AS-SUCH

A.K. Mukhopadhyay

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

ABSTRACT

Consciousness researcher is required to be clear on what consciousness he is working on! Is it on system-bound consciousness, self-consciousness or consciousness-as-such? Neurocentric consciousness, consciousness which is confined to the brain, is an example of system-bound consciousness. Self-consciousness relates to ‘self’ of all self-organizing systems where self could work independent of the system and also through consciousness bound to the system. Consciousness-as-such is unconditional and non-dual consciousness which is non-negotiable and seems impenetrable!

Consciousness-as-such is ontological consciousness which forms the ground independent of any fore-ground or background. It is responsible for both system-bound consciousness and self-consciousness. System-bound consciousness is epistemic consciousness and is responsible for sensory and phenomenal experience by the system. Self-consciousness bridges the ontological and epistemic consciousness and is responsible for phenomenology.

These three consciousness(s) relate to three fundamental questions found in Prasna-Upanishad and Brihad-aranayak Upanishad. What is this world? Who am I? What is Brahman? System-bound consciousness encompasses the world, self-consciousness, ‘me’ and ‘i’ and consciousness-as-such, the Brahman. These three consciousness(s), in anthropomorphic sense, are probably three purushas of Bhagavad Gita; system-bound consciousness, the khsara pursha, self consciousness, the akhsara purusha and consciousness-as-such, Purushottama.

Where is the Science in this division and in oneness? The science has been beckoning to us. The division of consciousness creates Mind. In monism of either matter or  consciousness there is no mind! Mind comes with duality of consciousness. It is further suggested that the science of `binding’ is related to science of information that enquires on the following issues. What is information? Is it an entity? If yes, is it local or nonlocal? If not, what it is? How information is generated and destroyed? Is there an independent mechanics of information? Presuming it exists, how it is connected to quantum mechanics and the mechanics of consciousness! The mechanics of information and the psychic mechanics too seem to be inextricably connected.