The Dynamic Architecture of Consciousness

In today's modern world, questions of consciousness remain among the most fascinating and controversial. Philosophical interpretations demonstrate that our perception of the world is built on the relationship between subject and object, where reality often appears as an image or symbol shaped by individual experience. At the same time, objects—be it a swift swallow darting through the air or another element of nature—are not perceived in their full authenticity, but through the prism of our inner representations, emphasizing the transcendent nature of the external world.

Meanwhile, another view asserts that consciousness arises from the inseparable connection between the process of cognition and the object of our attention, in which the boundaries between them blur into a single functional system. This approach allows us to delve deeper into how we structure the world around us, turning perception into an active process rather than merely a passive reflection of reality.

Psychological research adds yet another layer to this mosaic by revealing the multi-level nature of consciousness—encompassing rational thought as well as subconscious and unconscious layers. This perspective explains why the human "self" exists at the border between conscious and unconscious states, where emotions, motivation, and active engagement play a decisive role. Some theories even link the origin of consciousness to the discrepancy between our thoughts and actions, emphasizing that it is precisely this mismatch that generates the sense of real life and inner dynamism.

Thus, regardless of the chosen approach—whether philosophical reflections on the nature of images or psychological interpretations of deeper layers of consciousness—one thing is clear: our consciousness is a dynamic and multifaceted system that unites the richness of human experience with active interaction with the surrounding world. This understanding inspires us to continue our search for truth, opening new horizons for self-knowledge and the creation of a holistic image of reality.

What is consciousness from both philosophical and psychological viewpoints, and which theories explain its existence?

From a philosophical standpoint, consciousness is seen as a complex interplay between subject and object, where the object itself may exist "transcendentally" relative to individual experience, and only its image or symbol is present in consciousness. For example, one theoretical approach describes the scenario as follows: "Suppose I am walking along the riverbank, I notice something darting through the air, I distinguish this object from the surrounding environment, and I realize that it is a flying swallow. According to the most widespread theory of knowledge, what enters my consciousness is not the living swallow itself, but only its subjective mental image—a more or less similar copy. In perception, the swallow remains transcendent to consciousness (outside consciousness), while immanent to consciousness (inside consciousness) is only its copy or even just its symbol. According to intuitionism, when I direct my attention to the swallow and perform acts of differentiating it from the environment, the living swallow itself is present in my consciousness in its original form..." (source: link ).

Another philosophical approach emphasizes that consciousness is defined as the functional relationship between the actors of cognition and their objects—that is, an inseparable connection that precludes the possibility of considering things "in themselves": "If we define consciousness as the functional relationship between the cognizer and what is cognized or the process of cognition and its object, then it follows from the very definition that this relationship must be thought of as inseparable..." (source: link ).

Psychological perspectives, in turn, underscore the multi-layered nature of consciousness. Modern psychology views consciousness not only as rational thought but also as a complex system that includes subconscious and unconscious layers, forming the "self" and the "superego": "Consciousness is much more than mere rational assurance. It contains layers such as the subconscious, the unconscious, 'self', and 'superego'. In other words, there are various levels of consciousness..." (source: link ). This outlook helps explain why an individual might be unaware of the motives behind their actions, despite their existence.

Moreover, some psychological theories connect the emergence of consciousness with processes of activity and emotion. According to Henri Bergson, consciousness arises as "the arithmetic difference between virtual activity and real activity"—the representation separates from action at the moment when they do not coincide: "Representation is sealed off by action... The discrepancy between action and representation is what we call consciousness" (source: link ).

It is also worth noting the views akin to the principles of dialectical psychology, which interpret consciousness through the lens of its unity with activity, asserting that isolated consciousness without objective and social engagement is merely an abstract spirit: "The main thesis of dialectical psychology is put forward—the 'unity of consciousness and activity', since 'unproductive consciousness is pure spirit, an abstraction...'" (source: link ).

Thus, both philosophers and psychologists agree that consciousness is not merely a passive reflection of the world but a dynamic, multi-level phenomenon in which subjective experience, active attention, and engagement are interconnected. Philosophical theories explore the nature of consciousness through mediated perception and intentionality, while psychological theories examine the inner layers, dynamics, and functional aspects of mental life.

Supporting citation(s):
"Suppose I am walking along the riverbank, I notice something darting through the air, I distinguish this object from the surrounding environment, and I realize that it is a flying swallow. According to the most widespread theory of knowledge... According to intuitionism, when I direct my attention to the swallow and perform acts of differentiating it from the environment, the living swallow itself is present in my consciousness in its original form..." (source: link )

"If we define consciousness as the functional relationship between the cognizer and what is cognized or the process of cognition and its object, then it follows from the very definition that this relationship must be thought of as inseparable, i.e. not as a random encounter of two independent elements..." (source: link )

"Consciousness is much more than mere rational assurance. It contains layers such as the subconscious, the unconscious, 'self', and 'superego'. In other words, there are various levels of consciousness..." (source: link )

"Representation is sealed off by action. The discrepancy between action and representation is what we call consciousness" (source: link )

"The main thesis of dialectical psychology is put forward—the 'unity of consciousness and activity', since 'unproductive consciousness is pure spirit, an abstraction...'" (source: link )