Notes

Why can't the world's greatest minds solve the mystery of consciousness?: Original article published in The Guardian - Article by Oliver Burkeman

Chapter 1

Despite the best efforts of some of the world's greatest minds, the mystery of consciousness remains unsolved. Philosophers, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and physicists are all trying to figure out what consciousness is, how it arises, and how it is related to the physical world. Some believe that consciousness is an emergent property of complex neural networks, while others think it is a fundamental aspect of the universe. Despite the lack of consensus, many researchers agree that consciousness is a deeply puzzling phenomenon that may never be fully understood.

Chapter 2

One of the main challenges in understanding consciousness is defining it. While most people have an intuitive sense of what it means to be conscious, it is difficult to pin down a precise definition that everyone agrees upon. Some define consciousness as subjective experience – or the ability to experience sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Others define it as self-awareness –  or the ability to reflect on one's own mental states. Still, others define it in terms of information processing – in other words, the ability to integrate and respond to sensory input.

Another challenge is that consciousness seems to be intimately connected to the brain, yet it is not reducible to it. While it is clear that changes in the brain can affect consciousness (such as through brain damage, drugs, or anesthesia), it is not clear how exactly the brain generates consciousness. 

Some theories propose that consciousness arises from the complex interactions between neurons and their connections, but this does not explain why some complex networks (such as those in the gut) do not seem to give rise to consciousness. 

Furthermore, consciousness seems to have a subjective quality that cannot be fully captured by objective measurements. For example, two people could have identical brain activity while looking at a red apple, but one person might experience the color as more vibrant or pleasing than the other. 

This raises the question of whether consciousness is a purely objective phenomenon that can be studied using scientific methods, or whether it requires a more subjective approach.

Despite these challenges, researchers are making progress in understanding consciousness. Neuroimaging studies have helped identify brain regions that are consistently active during conscious experiences, such as the prefrontal cortex and thalamus. Studies of patients with brain injuries or disorders have also provided insights into the neural mechanisms underlying consciousness.

Additionally, research on altered states of consciousness, such as meditation or psychedelic experiences, is shedding light on the potential role of different brain regions and neurotransmitters in generating conscious experiences. Some studies have even suggested that consciousness may be a fundamental aspect of the universe, akin to space and time.

While the mystery of consciousness may never be fully solved, ongoing research and interdisciplinary collaboration may bring us closer to understanding this elusive phenomenon.

However, it is important to recognize that consciousness is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and any attempts to reduce it to a simple explanation may be misguided. As philosopher David Chalmers famously put it, the hard problem of consciousness is "the problem of explaining how and why we have phenomenal experiences" – a problem that may never be fully solved, but one that is worth exploring nonetheless.

In conclusion, the mystery of consciousness remains unsolved as researchers from various disciplines struggle to define it, understand its relationship to the brain, and explain its subjective nature. While progress has been made in identifying brain regions involved in conscious experiences and exploring altered states of consciousness, the hard problem of explaining why we have these experiences remains elusive. As research continues and collaboration between disciplines grows, we may inch closer towards unraveling this enigma, but for now, consciousness remains one of the most profound mysteries of human existence.