Exploring the Dynamic Nature of Consciousness

Philosophy of consciousness is an exciting journey into the depths of human experience, where every idea carries the energy and vividness of perceiving the world. Entering this engaging dialogue, we understand that consciousness is not merely a reflection of external reality but an active interaction in which an individual finds their unique "self." The subject’s relation to the world forms a meaningful experience, making every event significant and alive.

The main part of our reflections unfolds around the idea that consciousness is always directed toward something specific – whether it is an object in the surrounding world or a process of inner self-knowledge. Here, the concept of intentionality is crucial, as it transforms even the simplest perception into a meaningful act, and each moment of experience into a dynamic and creative act of consciousness. The experience of the world goes beyond simple analysis, evolving into a process where external stimuli and internal experiences are closely intertwined, creating a unique experience.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that modern approaches emphasize the role of the psychic act as a bridge between the subject and the object. Consciousness manifests itself through the vivid differentiation between "self" and "non-self," allowing a person not only to perceive but also to understand their inner world through interaction with external reality. This multifaceted and dynamic nature of consciousness makes it an integral foundation of personal experience and profound philosophical inquiry, opening new horizons for exploring what it means to be human.

How can consciousness be defined from a philosophical point of view, and what theories explain it?
From a philosophical standpoint, consciousness is considered a fundamental condition through which phenomena become accessible to perception, and as a property inherent in the individual, characterized by its directedness toward something. For example, one source notes:

"Consciousness is first and foremost a necessary and sufficient condition for the manifestation of phenomena: by defining the existent as 'manifested', we presuppose the event of its being revealed, the fact of relation. The relation is an exclusive prerogative of the individual, which is primarily expressed in the activity of consciousness. Husserl showed that consciousness is always 'consciousness of something,' of some thing. There is no consciousness without being related to some content (Intentionalität, intentionality). Consciousness implies a certain a priori connection with objects. Therefore, we say: consciousness is a 'personal' property." (source: link )

This definition emphasizes that consciousness is not a passive reflection of the world, but an active relation of the subject with external content, where every manifestation is intentional.

Another perspective offers a definition in which consciousness is seen as the intuitive act of the "self," directed toward self-understanding and self-recognition. Thus, consciousness is not merely knowledge or perception but a process in which the individual perceives themselves through the delineation of "self" and "non-self":

"Any definition here is insufficient, and we are dealing with a border concept. Consciousness is the intuitive act of the human 'self' in relation to itself, after which the experienced is committed to memory, along with the differentiation of 'self' from 'non-self,' from the surrounding world. Consciousness is the unity of 'self' and its differentiation from 'non-self'. Consciousness is not identical with knowledge or what is known, but it always implies a relation with a logical principle that rises above the enclosed inner world. The 'self' is aware of itself only through that which is above the 'self'." (source: link )

In philosophical discussions, different theories are also proposed to explain the nature of consciousness. In one approach associated with perception, emphasis is placed not so much on the idea that a copy of an external object enters consciousness, but rather that the object perceived remains a unique and lively experience for the subject:

"Suppose I am walking along the riverbank, paying attention to something streaking through the air; I distinguish this object from the surrounding environment and realize that it is a swallow in flight. According to the most widespread epistemological theory, what enters my consciousness is not the living swallow itself, but only a subjective psychic image of it, more or less resembling a copy of it. In perception, the swallow remains transcendental to consciousness (outside of consciousness), while what is immanent to consciousness (inside consciousness) is only its copy or even merely its symbol. According to intuitionism, when I direct my attention to the swallow and perform acts of differentiation from the environment, the living swallow itself, in its authentic form, is within my consciousness: the swallow becomes immanent to my consciousness, yet remains transcendental to me, the individual subject of consciousness." (source: link )

There is also an approach in which consciousness is treated within the framework of psychoanalysis as the difference between virtual (potential) and real activity, which explains it as a mirror reflection of the subject’s life activity:

"The consciousness of a living creature is defined as the arithmetic difference between virtual activity and real activity. It serves as a measure of the separation of representation from action. A deficit in the instinct… is what becomes consciousness. From this point of view, thought, in the sense of consciousness, is the mirror image of a delayed inner action, an illusory focus of life activity." (source: link )

Finally, the modern view of consciousness suggests that for cognition to occur, a certain psychic act is necessary by which the subject directs attention to an object, capturing and interpreting it:

"When it comes to human consciousness, the cognizing subject is a human personality. The nature of consciousness consists of the fact that its object (experienced joy, a heard sound, a seen color, etc.) exists not only for itself but also in a certain internal relation to the subject. Most modern philosophers and psychologists believe that, for cognition to take place, aside from the subject and the object, there must be a special psychic act of awareness directed by the subject toward the object." (source: link )

Thus, philosophical theories offer several complementary approaches to defining consciousness:

1. As an active relation of the subject to external content, where the key property is intentionality.
2. As a process of self-awareness, in which the central element is the knowledge of the "self" through the distinction between "self" and "non-self."
3. As an experience where external objects are not merely transmitted as images but are directly perceived, emphasizing their liveliness and transcendence.
4. As a dynamic balance between potential (virtual) and real activity, reflecting the inner struggle and fleeting moments of thought.

Supporting citation(s):
"Consciousness is first and foremost a necessary and sufficient condition for the manifestation of phenomena: by defining the existent as 'manifested,' we presuppose the event of its being revealed, the fact of relation... Consciousness implies a certain a priori connection with objects. Therefore, we say: consciousness is a 'personal' property." (source: link )

"Any definition here is insufficient, and we are dealing with a border concept. Consciousness is the intuitive act of the human 'self' in relation to itself... The 'self' is aware of itself only through that which is above the 'self'." (source: link )

"Suppose I am walking along the riverbank... According to intuitionism, when I direct my attention to the swallow and perform acts of differentiation from the environment, the living swallow itself, in its authentic form, is within my consciousness..." (source: link )

"The consciousness of a living creature is defined as the arithmetic difference between virtual activity and real activity... thought, in the sense of consciousness, is the mirror image of a delayed inner action..." (source: link )

"When it comes to human consciousness, the cognizing subject is a human personality. The nature of consciousness consists of the fact that its object... exists not only for itself but also in a certain internal relation to the subject." (source: link )

These excerpts demonstrate that in philosophy, consciousness is viewed as a multifaceted phenomenon that includes an active attitude toward the world, a process of self-awareness and interpersonal engagement, as well as reflecting the inner dynamics of psychological activity.