Evolution of Human Consciousness for supporting non-instinctive cognition
As a sentient being, thinking forms an essential part of one's life. It is a constant process throughout life and even after. They play an aiding role in taking decisions. Thought occurs as a primordial, before an action can take place, though it is not necessary that an action needs to succeed a Thought. With life, we are provided with the capability of acting over our thoughts as an actor, which is not possible in death.
Humans are not the only ones capable of conscious thinking, even animals are capable of the same which can be inferred from their behaviour and interactions with their surroundings. The fundamental difference between Humans and Animals exist in the way they have learned to conceptualize the world. In case of animals, the world is an immediate one, and their thoughts and actions are based on instincts; whereas Humans are capable of devising complex worlds and forms. Humans are capable of forming detailed realities which may or may not exist.
This evolution of consciousness has not only aided them in thinking about worlds but also being capable of influencing the reality in unprecedented ways, that were definitely not possible under Animalistic Consciousness. They have aided in creation of complex religions, social structures and most importantly, a sense of higher self, a sense of transcendence. Humans still act more often upon their instincts despite such evolution, as we have not evolved enough to be capable of forming conscious thoughts at certain situations which require instantaneous decision.
This attribute of abstraction, although not just confined to Humans, is very uncommon in Animal Kingdom. This rarity, supported alongside other material and psychological developments led Humans to be a higher species in the Animal Kingdom. Even if only a few among Humans were capable of such efficiency, it benefited all of the species because of the herd behaviour that humans inherited from their animal ancestors.
Sources of a Thought
Human Thoughts have their origin from experiences; those of one's own and of others. It wouldn't be a great thing to say that thoughts are a Rational by-product, this would only restrict our understanding of Human conditions. Thoughts can be emotional and transcendental as well. They may be real and unreal. They may be creative and destructive; upon self as well as on one's surrounding.
If looked from a strictly materialist perspective, matter is the source of all ideas. Material conditions, under this perspective is what leads to formation of an idea. The most prominent idea is of Dialectical Materialism advocated by Karl Marx. This theory may explain reason behind many of the Human Thoughts, but fails at recognizing other sources and giving an exhaustive definition. One can say that there cannot be any particular and exhaustive definition to define Human existence as a conscious and social being. Sciences are very much like a religion and fails at being exhaustive just like religion, this topic however is for some other post.
One shall not misinterpret Materialism in this section to mean hedonism or carvaka philosophy of existence, it is instead an aspect of Naturalist philosophy which considers Nature alone as real and the basis of everything. It also negates the necessity and existence of a God or any other supernatural force as the cause of Universe as it believes Nature to be self-determined and self-creative. Materialism in marxist point of view is based around society and particularly economic relations as the basis of everything from Human Psychology to Society.
In our opinion, it is prakriti or nature that is the source of Human Thoughts and not merely an Economy as the marxist perspective may advocate. Although we don't negate their perspective, we would still like to point out that such perspective is a very narrow one and considers only one small aspect.
Prakriti is an anti-thesis of Purusha/Brahman. The reason being: Purusha is in its own capacity a forceless force incapable of any desire or thought in material sense and exists only as a witness, which is anti-thetical to Prakriti; which, if seen from metaphysical perspective as its own consciousness, would certainly be capable of a thought and desire like any other sentience would. (The perspective on Purusha and Prakriti would be discussed in a later post.)
Nature of a Thought
A thought, being a product of consciousness conquers death itself, the agent of such thought may die but the thought remains; resonating forever into the infinite time and space; in the cosmic consciousness (prakriti). An end is not a necessity for a thought for it will exist for the sake of existing and will transcend its boundaries and become manifested in reality only if the agent wills so. Same is with the Cosmos, it exists for the sake of existing, it is the agents that define it and drive it. A thought may be lost in the vastness of things, but it is never erased from existence. No force of nature can destroy a thought. It will exist as far as the prakriti does and there is no end to prakriti. It will return again and again for its eternal recurrence. Thus one can say, that on grand scheme of things, there may not be such thing as an 'Originality of thought.' It may merely be a thought manifesting itself again, although the agents may or may not differ.
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Srivatsa or The Endless Knot |
Glossary
- Herd Behaviour: It is a part of crowd psychology, it exemplifies on the collective behaviour of the members of a species. This is also inherited among Humans. It is known to exponentially raise the survivalism of members. (Herd Behaviour would be further discussed in later posts)
- Dialectical Materialism: An Idea propounded by Karl Marx and his colleague, Friedrich Engels. It does not recognize the separation between Matter/Nature and Mind. It considers Mind and Thought as a by-product of Material Conditions. (An article for understanding Dialectical Materialism)
- Hedonism/carvaka: They are philosophical school which advocate for amplifying pleasure of an individual. Hedonism is often confused with Materialism although they are worlds apart. Materialism is closer to Naturalism as it concerns itself with nature as the fundamental of everything, unlike Hedonistics who only aim at egoistic short-term pleasures as the end of mankind.
- Srivatsa/The Endless Knot: It is a symbol in Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, although with differing meanings. In buddhist metaphorism, it is symbolic of the cycle of existence: that of Rebirth and Suffering; and also of a constant interaction and interplay between contradictory positions. In Hindu Myths, it is a symbol of Sri or Goddess Lakshmi and is engraved on the chest of God Visnu.
