Consciousness
Does the Brain Create Consciousness?
Consciousness may be a narrative constructed by our inner thoughts.
Posted January 6, 2025 Reviewed by Devon Frye
Key points
- All of our perceptions are interpretations of sensory signals that are considered functions of the brain.
- Some believe that consciousness cannot be an outcome of the brain’s functions.
- The human brain generates abstract concepts through inner dialogue with itself.
- Self-consciousness may be a narration of the brain produced by inner thoughts.
Day and night, my mind is occupied with this thought:
Why am I so oblivious to my own heart's issues?
From where have I come, and for what purpose?
Where am I going? Will you never reveal my homeland?
—Rumi
The human brain is an extraordinary organ that is the primary center for interpreting and processing information from our environment. However, our perceptions—what we see, hear, and feel—do not directly reflect reality. Instead, they are complex interpretations the brain makes based on sensory input, leading to some degree of discrepancies between our perceptions and the external world.
For instance, visual illusions can mislead us into seeing things that are not there or misjudging spatial relationships. Similarly, auditory perception can filter background noise to focus on specific sounds, sometimes resulting in auditory illusions or distortions.
Consequently, our perceptions—visual, auditory, olfactory, or tactile—are not mere reflections of reality but subjective interpretations influenced by context, prior experiences, and expectations. This highlights a crucial aspect of human cognition: Our perceptions are shaped by both sensory signals and mental manipulations.
Memory also plays a vital role in shaping our perceptions, as interpretations of signals are based on past experiences. On the other hand, the brain also reconstructs memories each time we recall them, which can lead to alterations or even fabrications, resulting in false memories [1].
These altered recollections raise questions about the reliability of our perceptions and memories. If our brains can modify previous experiences, how can we trust our understanding of reality? Why do we not doubt sensory perceptions as reflections of reality perceived by the brain, while subjective experiences like self-consciousness are considered mysteries or illusions?
How the Brain Thinks About Ourselves and the Universe
When we are in a routine and daily life, our brain works in autopilot mode and has little time to think about fundamental aspects of life and the universe. This unconscious mind functions based on our previous experiences and learnings and is in the lowest energy-consuming state. We carry out our daily tasks, such as job responsibilities, shopping, driving, and playing games, with less attention, and often forget how we performed them by the end of the day [2].
However, in a relaxed state and free from concerns, we can reflect on ourselves and contemplate profound questions about life. Under these conditions, certain areas of the brain are activated.
The medial prefrontal cortex is key for self-awareness and understanding social information. The posterior cingulate cortex is involved in handling memories and emotions, while the medial temporal lobe deals with auditory information, memory, and the creation of meaning. Furthermore, the precuneus aids in perception processing and philosophical thought. The limbic system also contributes to addressing essential human issues.
The Essential Role of the Default Mode Network
The default mode network (DMN) activates during daydreaming, memory recall, and future planning. The DMN consists of regions like the posterior cingulate/precuneus, anterior cingulate/mesiofrontal cortex, and temporoparietal junctions.
The DMN focuses on self-referential thought and mind-wandering, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving. Philosophical thinking involves abstract reasoning, introspection, and existential exploration, supported by the DMN.
Self-reflection in this type of active thinking may also be facilitated by the DMN. The DMN aids in abstract reasoning and creative problem-solving by fostering free association and divergent thinking. Overall, the DMN collaborates with other brain regions to process emotions, perceptions, memory, and self-awareness [3].
Could Inner Thinking Be the Origin of Our "Self"?
Some scientists believe that consciousness cannot be fully explained by the physical processes occurring in the brain and body. They suggest that while we can demonstrate activity in specific areas of the brain during subjective experiences, such as happiness, we cannot adequately explain the reality of the subjective feelings generated by that neural activity, a challenge often referred to as the hard problem of consciousness.
The human brain, in addition to its primitive reflexive functions, serves as a tool for interpreting information and experiences, as well as for storing these interpretations. However, it has not evolved to receive information from the external world in a way that accurately reflects reality.
Higher regions of the brain, particularly in the neocortex, analyze a range of perceptions and experiences, generating intangible concepts through abstract thinking that extend beyond tangible physical realities. During moments of relaxation, when external concerns are absent, individuals often reflect on their experiences and feelings about themselves and the world around them.
This type of reflection gradually leads to the development of a concept known as the self, the one who has lived through these experiences. This understanding of oneself, referred to as self-awareness, results from abstract thinking grounded in the analysis of perceptions and experiences. This concept is akin to other abstract, intangible ideas, such as composing a song, writing a novel, or discovering new scientific theories.
Moreover, the brain receives internal signals from the entire body and monitors its overall health. Following a panic attack, the brain may misinterpret symptoms of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate and shortness of breath, as signs of imminent death, while the body is in a normal state. This misinterpretation can trigger the fight-or-flight response.
This phenomenon reflects the brain's awareness of both life and potential threats. These internal signals may be interpreted by the higher regions of the brain as messages indicating, "I am here and alive"—another perception of the brain regarding itself [4].
Overall, all internal and external signals perceived by the brain are integrated and interpreted by higher brain regions, leading to subjective emotional experiences. When individuals are in a relaxed state without any concerns, they can generate new explanations and narratives about themselves, their subjective experiences, and the world through introspection. Consciousness can be one of them.
References
1. Privitera, A. J. (2024). Sensation and perception. In R. B.-D. E. Diener (Ed.), Noba textbook series: Psychology: Champaign, IL: DEF publishers.
2. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
3. Menon, V. (2023). 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis. Neuron, 111(16), 2469-2487. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.04.023
4. Penninx, B. W., Pine, D. S., Holmes, E. A., & Reif, A. (2021). Anxiety disorders. Lancet, 397(10277), 914-927. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00359-7
