The Mystery and Certainty of Human Thoughts: An Inquiry into Subjective Experience and Perception

How are we sure that we have thoughts? Thought, a undeniable, intensely intimate, and axiomatic phenomenon, forms the bedrock of our subjective experience. However, no one demands proof or corroborations for their thoughts.

Yet, thoughts are entirely beyond our five senses! We do not have the faintest clue as to what thoughts are made of, nor do we understand how these thoughts emerge from our memory banks, nor do we know how they are perceived. The same enigmatic quality applies to memory. We think but we do not know how!

Secondary vs. Fundamental Knowledge

Secondary knowledge, as described in science text books, provides us with a detailed understanding of sensory processes. However, it remains fundamentally different from the sensory experience itself.

For instance, vision is a prime example. When a person sees something, do they ever feel their eyeballs adjusting to light and distance? Do they ever feel their retina, optic nerve neurons, or the brain? Do they feel their brain interpreting the optic signal? The act of saying the brain 'interprets' is not enlightening enough. Finally, who or what is it that actually sees? Is it the eyes, the brain, or neither?

The Perceiving Principle: Fundamental Reality

The undeniable, intensely intimate, and axiomatic nature of seeing and thinking reveals that the perceiving principle is the fundamental reality. What this principle perceives is merely an appearance. The perceiving principle is self-luminous and self-evident unto itself but does not know how it perceives. This applies to all five sensations, from sight to touch, taste, smell, and hearing.

Scientific Insights and Philosophical Inquiry

Despite the perennial challenge of explaining consciousness and thought in philosophical terms, the subjective experience of having thoughts is fundamental to human existence. It serves as a cornerstone of self-awareness and cognitive functioning. Neuroscience provides empirical evidence of brain activity corresponding to thought patterns, marking a significant advancement in understanding the process of thinking.

Substantiating the Certainty of Thoughts

The certainty of our thoughts lies in subjective experience and introspection. Thoughts manifest as mental processes, perceptions, and inner dialogue that shape our conscious awareness. Through introspection, we observe the stream of thoughts flowing through our minds, reflecting our cognitive processes and inner states. However, the nature of consciousness and thought remains a subject of ongoing philosophical inquiry.

Conclusion

While the exact nature of consciousness and thought remains elusive, the subjective experience and introspection provide a profound understanding of human thought. The perceiving principle and the stream of thoughts continue to fascinate and challenge our understanding of our own existence.