Consciousness

Abstract

Consciousness is perhaps the greatest mystery of the human brain. Through the ages, volumes have been written in an effort to comprehend this elusive and fascinating aspect of mental activity. Perhaps it can most simply be viewed as a state of perceptual awareness, although philosophical definitions are often more complex. For most people, consciousness is synonymous with self. It is often considered to be the very seat of human existence and individuality. Through its portals, we witness the passage of our own inner thoughts and the world around us. It is the center of each individual’s personal universe and the reference by which we define our very existence. It is the interface between the deeper reaches of the brain and the external world.