The Unconscious

     I normally do my utmost to ignore the idea of the "unconscious" brain because I find that it makes me uncomfortable. I don't think I'm alone, either; it would make sense for people to be uncomfortable with the idea of a second "self" outside of our direct control, because we like to think of our identity as something we choose, at least to some degree.

    But this seems to be irrational. The "self" is defined as  

–noun

1.a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality: one's

    own self.

2.a person's nature, character, etc.: his better self.

3.personal interest.

4.Philosophy.

    a.the ego; that which knows, remembers, desires, suffers, etc., as

        contrasted with that known, remembered, etc.

    b.the uniting principle, as a soul, underlying all subjective experience.

Dictionary.com

 

    We like to think we own ourselves, the very definition adds "one's own self." But do we? Many believe the self stems from a soul, a divine given source of identity and individuality. In most scientific communities, the self is believed to stem from either genetics, environment, or the complex inter-workings of the two. But none of these views seem to give evidence that the way we are is something we choose. I myself can't get my mind around the idea of the "self" because if it isn't under our control at all, why should we bother with the idea of the self at all? Is everything we experience in life simply a combination of genetics, environment, and chance? But on the other hand, I can't think of a way to convince myself that we choose who we are, because even when we choose to act a certain way, those decisions still depend on the previously mentioned genetic, environmental, or divine factors, depending on your beliefs.

    So it seems likely that our choices aren't as much a choice as we might like to think. Personally, I have no idea what to think of the "self." But I think it's important to question our concept of the conscious self before we even attempt to tackle the idea of an additional, more mysterious counterpart. The unconscious is viewed as a sort of mysterious thing that reveals itself in cryptic dreams, or Freudian slips, which if you aren't familiar are those instances when we call a friend or teacher "mom," or any other slip of the tongue, that according to Freud revealed unconscious feelings or desired. But neurologically speaking, the unconscious is in essence the thoughts we can't put words to, or even more simply, the processes of the reptilian brain- the emotions, instincts, etc. that we share with most other mammals. 

    What makes this part of our brain so alluring to us is that it's unknown. We like to think that not only do we control our actions, but that we understand ourselves, at least for the most part. But in truth, do we? An article in the New York Times asserts that

 

    This is comforting, I suppose. While we may not always be able to cling to the idea that we know and control our own actions, at the very least it seems good that our unconscious is not, as Freud thought, an almost demonic other self that wanted to fulfill primal desires with no regard to our conscious beliefs and convictions or others. Perhaps the unconscious isn't so much something to fear as a partner that handles the more petty, everyday thoughts for us. And while it can be frustrating because it's unknown and seemingly out of our direct control, it seems like a small price to pay when you consider the multitude of processes it handles for us each day.