STREET DOGS: We are mysteries to ourselves
The human mind may be incapable of understanding itself
The consciousness of brutes would appear to be related to the mechanism of their body simply as collateral product of its working, and to be completely without any power of modifying that working, as the steam-whistle which accompanies the work of a locomotive engine is without influence upon its machinery. — Thomas Huxley.
What if our faith in knowability is an illusion, a trick of the overconfident human mind? That’s the working assumption behind a school of thought known as mysterianism. Mysterianism holds that even though there is nothing supernatural about how consciousness arises from neural activity, the human brain is simply not equipped to understand it. In other words, that the human mind may be incapable of understanding itself...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.