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Evolution of Consciousness |
Combining the tiered and left-right models gives the following sketch. Our distant ancestors used mostly implicit forms of cognition. These were instinctual and habitual patterns of action that enhanced their chances for survival. Actions and mannerisms that succeeded in this task, were perpetuated and hence, accentuated. Since then, humans have gradually evolved from dealing only with such basic survival issues to more abstract social problems. This reflects the ascendancy of the left brain. Its ability to represent discrete episodes and events produced the needed fuel for language and civilisation to spring forth. As a species, we are now captives of our thoughts. Our cultures and values revolve around the self or ego which is a by-product of left brain function. And the left-brain runs riot with thoughts. It is constantly generating both wanted and unwanted thoughts and ideas which in turn key in their corresponding emotions and sensations. Early in human evolution this may have been a useful skill for survival. By having the mind ever on the move, it would have been easier to remain alert for changing conditions in the surroundings such as the approach of a tiger.
The self, or ego, results from the self-reference of this endless torrent of thought. What we commonly hold as our sense of self is, upon closer inspection, found to be groupings or bundles of thought, feeling, and sensation. That is, the ego is a temporal effect of the left-brain's ability to think about itself. At any given moment, the ego is a collection of present and recent mental, emotional, and sensory cues to oneself. Metaphorically what happens is this, the ego needs to know that it is still ok and intact so it says to itself "I think and feel this about that", and then it waits listening. The next instance certain emotions and thoughts naturally arise in response to the comment. The ego hears and feels them and says, "Ah, good, good, I'm still here and things are about the same as they were just a little while ago." These bundles of feedback to the ego are rather like smeared or blended groupings of experience. It is the constant rush of these signals of "its ok, I'm still thinking, feeling, and moving about", that constitutes the ego. In effect the ego is a left-brain artefact.
To summarise, mental function rides on a sea of incessant, random thought. Normally, we have very little control over this tumult and hence are prey to its chaotic nature. Our subjective experience of this is filtered or smoothed somewhat so that we experience a more stable mental climate. But a certain level of this noise spills over into our mentality. It is an open question whether this is good or bad, but the actual track record of human culture throughout history shows that personal consciousness which progresses no further than this level is, on average, at best a lead-in to instability and harm at the social level. The endless wars, crimes, misery, and misunderstanding that are our inheritance are ample witness to this fact.
Tests with split brain patients have shown that both sides of the brain can have separate consciousness. A further step in human evolution is the reintegration of the older right-brain wisdoms into our thoroughly left-brain saturated society. This harmonisation of left and right brain activity leads to a balanced human perspective which upholds the needs of both individual and group. In metaphysical circles an even further step is the reintegration of spirit ( the soul ) with the body, heart, and mind.
In fact, Buddhism has observed for millennia that normal, adult psychology and behaviour only partially fulfils its potential. The ability to move beyond the limited bounds of personality and ego has been scarcely acquiesced, much less attempted, by the average person. It is just as hard, though, to lead a partially fulfilled life as it is to steer to one that is mostly self-actualised. This amazing fact results from the power of unconscious conditioning. A power that sets the course for all of our actions.
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