Picture of Thomas Metzinger
Philosophers have developed many theories that attempt to explain the phenomenon of consciousness. These theories mainly focus on the way the brain shapes our experiences. One philosopher, Thomas Metzinger, offers an explanation using his Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity.
Metzinger defines consciousness through the lens of the Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity. According to this theory, consciousness comprises our subjective experiences (Metzinger, 2007). It originates from the brain's ability to create a detailed self-model of the host organism. Specifically, the brain is able to create what is called a Phenomenal Self-Model (PSM) (Metzinger, 2007). The PSM is an integrated representation of various mental states that provide a cohesive sense of self. According to Metzinger, our conscious self is essentially the PSM. In other words, our consciousness is shaped by the PSM to influence our experience of the world.
The theory proposed by Metzinger has various implications for human life. For example, it can give individuals the newfound perspective that they have a unique "model" for their experiences that helps make them who they are. It can also help teach us about self-awareness and help influence the rigidity of social dynamics to accommodate individual differences. Overall, Metzinger's theory helps emphasize the subjective nature of consciousness in an interesting way.
References:
Metzinger, T. (2007). Self models. Scholarpedia, 2(10), 4174. https://doi.org/10.4249/scholarpedia.4174
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