Freud, Jung, and theHard Problem of Consciousness:

An Introduction to the

Human “Networking” System

Author: A. Robochild

I: I: Definition Definition (from 2 angles)(from 2 angles)

Objective (third person): If brains can be modeled on computers, then let ψ (psi) be the networking system of this computer model

Subjective: first person methods

The Objective ApproachThe Objective Approach In Computer Science:In Computer Science:

1. Communicative Systems: video sharing, conference call, chat rooms, ICQ...

2. Networking Systems: cabling, routing of data packets per straight rules, data volume/traffic control (usually refer to the hardware aspects)

(There is no clear definition to differentiate these two terms. Sometimes they are the same system just being looked at from different perspectives.)

The Objective Approach (cont.)The Objective Approach (cont.)

In Biological SciencesBiological Sciences

1. Communication Systems: Have been extensively studied in humans, animals and insects

2. Networking Systems: (Hardware aspects e.g. neurons and pathways) - “Neural network”: a network of biological neurons

The hardware aspect is rarely applied to human social (brain to brain) networking

The “Subjective” ApproachThe “Subjective” Approach

There are many studies on the subjective or the first There are many studies on the subjective or the first person method of approachperson method of approach

The work of Freud and JungThe work of Freud and Jung

““Freud himself has pointed out on more than one occasion Freud himself has pointed out on more than one occasion how much unconscious motives are grounded on instinct, how much unconscious motives are grounded on instinct, which is certainly an which is certainly an objective objective fact.”fact.”

Jung: Symbols of transformationJung: Symbols of transformation

Michelangelo:The Creation of Adam

Freud Asked a QuestionFreud Asked a Question “ “Without the assumption of a collective mind, which Without the assumption of a collective mind, which

makes it possible to neglect the interruptions of mental makes it possible to neglect the interruptions of mental acts caused by the extinction of the individual, social acts caused by the extinction of the individual, social

psychology in general cannot exist. Unless psychology in general cannot exist. Unless psychical psychical processesprocesses were continuedwere continued from one generation to from one generation to another, if each generation were obliged to acquire its another, if each generation were obliged to acquire its attitude to life anew, there would be no progress in this attitude to life anew, there would be no progress in this field and next to no development. This gives rise to two field and next to no development. This gives rise to two further questions: how much can we attribute to further questions: how much can we attribute to

psychical continuitypsychical continuity in the sequence of generations? in the sequence of generations? and what are the ways and means employed by one and what are the ways and means employed by one generation in order togeneration in order to hand on itshand on its mental states to the mental states to the

next one?”next one?”

Freud, S: The Return of Totemism in ChildhoodFreud, S: The Return of Totemism in Childhood

The intention is to furnish a psychology that shall be a natural science: The intention is to furnish a psychology that shall be a natural science: that is, to represent psychical processes as quantitatively determinate that is, to represent psychical processes as quantitatively determinate states ... subject to the general laws of motion.states ... subject to the general laws of motion.

Project for a Scientific PsychologyProject for a Scientific Psychology

I was trained to employ local diagnoses and electro-prognosis and it I was trained to employ local diagnoses and electro-prognosis and it still strikes me myself as strange that the case histories I write should still strikes me myself as strange that the case histories I write should read like short stories and that, as one might say, they lack the serious read like short stories and that, as one might say, they lack the serious stamp of science. stamp of science.

Studies on HysteriaStudies on Hysteria

Since we cannot wait for another science to present us with the final Since we cannot wait for another science to present us with the final conclusions ... it is far more to the purpose that we should try to see conclusions ... it is far more to the purpose that we should try to see what light may be thrown upon this basic problem of biology by a what light may be thrown upon this basic problem of biology by a synthesis of the synthesis of the psychologicalpsychological phenomena. (italics original) phenomena. (italics original)

On Narcissism: An IntroductionOn Narcissism: An Introduction

Freud and JungFreud and Jungas Scientific Researchersas Scientific Researchers

They described:They described:

– A A hardwired structurehardwired structure: inherited, in the : inherited, in the newborn brainnewborn brain

– A A process of “process of “psychical continuity”psychical continuity”:: between humansbetween humans brains brains(Freud limited his research to the father-son situation. (Freud limited his research to the father-son situation. Jung generalized to a broader context)Jung generalized to a broader context)

Freud’s Own AnswerFreud’s Own Answer A part of the problem seems to be met by the A part of the problem seems to be met by the

inheritance inheritance of psychical dispositions which, of psychical dispositions which, however, need to be given some sort of impetus however, need to be given some sort of impetus in the life of the individual before they can be in the life of the individual before they can be roused roused into actual operation. This may be the into actual operation. This may be the meaning of the poet's words:meaning of the poet's words:

Was du ererbt von deinen Vatern hast,Was du ererbt von deinen Vatern hast,

Erwirb es, um es zu besitzen.Erwirb es, um es zu besitzen. ([i] What thou hast ([i] What thou hast inheritedinherited from thy fathers from thy fathers[ii] [ii] AcquireAcquire it to make it thine it to make it thine Goethe, Faust, Part I, Scene 1)Goethe, Faust, Part I, Scene 1)

Freud, S.: The Return of Totemism in ChildhoodFreud, S.: The Return of Totemism in Childhood

Freud described … archaic tendencies and Freud described … archaic tendencies and motives as “elements with a phylogenetic origin,” motives as “elements with a phylogenetic origin,” that is, that is, “things that were innately present in “things that were innately present in him [the individual] at his birth.”him [the individual] at his birth.”

Moses and Monotheism: Three EssaysMoses and Monotheism: Three Essays

To the oldest of these psychical provinces or To the oldest of these psychical provinces or agencies we give the name of id. It contains agencies we give the name of id. It contains everything that is everything that is inheritedinherited, that is present at , that is present at birth … which originate from the somatic birth … which originate from the somatic organization.organization.

The Psychical ApparatusThe Psychical Apparatus

We shall probably get nearest to We shall probably get nearest to the truth if we think of the truth if we think of the conscious the conscious and personal psychand personal psych as resting upon as resting upon the broad basis of an the broad basis of an inherited and inherited and universal psychic dispositionuniversal psychic disposition which is as which is as such unconscious, and that our personal such unconscious, and that our personal psyche bears the same relation to the psyche bears the same relation to the collective psyche as the individual to society.collective psyche as the individual to society.

Jung, C. G.: The Spiritual Problem of Modern ManJung, C. G.: The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man

[The] whole psychic organism corresponds exactly to the body, which, though individually varied, is in all essential features the specifically human body which all men have.

The collective unconscious contains the whole spiritual heritage of mankind's evolution, born anew in the brain structure of every individual.

Jung, C. G.: The Structure of the Psyche

In so doing he raised it out of its In so doing he raised it out of its sub-terranean beginnings into the clear sub-terranean beginnings into the clear light of light of collective consciousnesscollective consciousness.... .... A man is a philosopher of genius only when A man is a philosopher of genius only when he succeeds in transmuting the primitive and he succeeds in transmuting the primitive and merely natural vision into an abstract idea merely natural vision into an abstract idea belonging to belonging to the common stock of the common stock of consciousnessconsciousness..... To the philosopher as well ... To the philosopher as well this vision comes as so much increment, and this vision comes as so much increment, and is simply a part of the common property of is simply a part of the common property of mankind, in which, in principle, mankind, in which, in principle, everyone everyone has a sharehas a share..

Jung, C. G.: The Spiritual Problem of Modern ManJung, C. G.: The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man

ConsciousnessConsciousness makes each of us aware only of his own makes each of us aware only of his own states of mind; that other people, too, possess a states of mind; that other people, too, possess a consciousnessconsciousness is an is an inference inference which we draw by analogy which we draw by analogy from their observable utterances and actions, in order to from their observable utterances and actions, in order to make this behavior of theirs intelligible to us (… we make this behavior of theirs intelligible to us (… we attribute to everyone else our own constitution and attribute to everyone else our own constitution and therefore our therefore our consciousness consciousness as well, and that this as well, and that this identificationidentification is a sine qua non of our understanding.) is a sine qua non of our understanding.) This This inference inference (or this (or this identificationidentification)) was formerly was formerly extended … to other human beings, to animals, plants, extended … to other human beings, to animals, plants, inanimate objects and to the world at large, and proved inanimate objects and to the world at large, and proved serviceable so long as their similarity to the individual serviceable so long as their similarity to the individual ego was overwhelmingly great; but it became more ego was overwhelmingly great; but it became more untrustworthy in proportion as the difference between the untrustworthy in proportion as the difference between the ego and these “others” widened.ego and these “others” widened.

Freud: Justification for the Concept of the UnconsciousFreud: Justification for the Concept of the Unconscious

““Inference” & “Identification”Inference” & “Identification”

This “inference” mechanism allows a firm line to be drawn between our ancestors and other species, because we became aware of our own mortality through “identification” when we saw death in others

The human practice of burial dating from prehistory is thus a manifestation of this characteristic human trait

In Darwin's primal horde ... there is a In Darwin's primal horde ... there is a violent and jealous father who keeps all the violent and jealous father who keeps all the females for himself and drives away his females for himself and drives away his sons as they grow up.... One day the sons as they grow up.... One day the brothers who had been driven out brothers who had been driven out came came togethertogether, killed and devoured their father , killed and devoured their father and so made an end of this patriarchal and so made an end of this patriarchal horde. horde. UnitedUnited, they had the courage to do , they had the courage to do and succeeded in doing what would have and succeeded in doing what would have been impossible for them individually. been impossible for them individually. (highlighted words suggest a network of (highlighted words suggest a network of some sort)some sort)

Freud, S.: The Return of Totemism in ChildhoodFreud, S.: The Return of Totemism in Childhood

Section IIPractical Applications

1. Psychiatry: Disorders (Diseases) of the Human Networking System

2. Other Fields: e.g. Education, Philosophy

((ii) Disorders of the ) Disorders of the Human “Networking” SystemHuman “Networking” System

Obvious examples are the Obvious examples are the psychotic psychotic mental disordersmental disorders, such as autism and , such as autism and schizophrenia schizophrenia

The etiologies are those that also The etiologies are those that also affects other bodily system: congenital, affects other bodily system: congenital, hereditary, alcohol & drug-induced, hereditary, alcohol & drug-induced, metabolic, degenerative, infective …metabolic, degenerative, infective …

Jasper: Jasper: “Non-understandability”“Non-understandability” as the as the feature of psychosis feature of psychosis

((iiii) Conflicts with) Conflicts withSex and AggressionSex and Aggression

Does this unique human networking Does this unique human networking mechanism (likely newer in evolution) mechanism (likely newer in evolution) conflict with other more basic instincts viz: conflict with other more basic instincts viz: sex and aggression?sex and aggression?

Both Freud and Jung warned against the Both Freud and Jung warned against the dangers of civilization and repression of dangers of civilization and repression of basic instincts basic instincts

((iiiiii) “Creative Illness”:) “Creative Illness”:

In 1836, Lelut … claimed Socrates was In 1836, Lelut … claimed Socrates was mentally ill .... A similar conclusion about mentally ill .... A similar conclusion about Blaise Pascal appeared in 1846…. another Blaise Pascal appeared in 1846…. another French psychiatrist, Moreau, depicted over French psychiatrist, Moreau, depicted over 180 men of genius as being diseased. Soon 180 men of genius as being diseased. Soon signs of "nervous degeneration" were being signs of "nervous degeneration" were being discovered among most of the world's leading discovered among most of the world's leading artists, scientists, writers, and musicians.artists, scientists, writers, and musicians.

Ostwald, P.F.: Ostwald, P.F.: Schumann: Music and MadnessSchumann: Music and Madness

Creative Illness (a working definition):

– “ Great artists and others distinguished by creative gifts ... enjoy ... the permeability of

the partition separating the conscious and the

unconscious”. • Jung, 1916:The Transcendent Function

TheThe DavidsbündlerDavidsbündler((League of DavidLeague of David))

An imaginary music society created by SchumannAn imaginary music society created by SchumannMembers included: Members included:

Schumann himself, the musician Karl Banck, Schumann himself, the musician Karl Banck, Besieger; the fictitious Florestan and Eusebius; Besieger; the fictitious Florestan and Eusebius; Mendelssohn (= Mendelssohn (= MeritisMeritis), ),

former engaged Ernestine of Fricken (= former engaged Ernestine of Fricken (= EstrellaEstrella), ), Clara Wieck, Schumanns wife (= Clara Wieck, Schumanns wife (= ZiliaZilia or or ChiaraChiara

and/or. and/or. ChiarinaChiarina), ), Clara’s father Friedrich Wieck (= Clara’s father Friedrich Wieck (= master Raromaster Raro) ) the Pianist Sophie Kaskel (= the Pianist Sophie Kaskel (= SarahSarah),), Other Distinguished ComposersOther Distinguished Composers

Creativity & LonelinessAs Schumann put it to Clara several years As Schumann put it to Clara several years

later, "With so much hustle and bustle later, "With so much hustle and bustle around you, I'm not surprised you cannot around you, I'm not surprised you cannot compose. To create something and be compose. To create something and be successful at it requires successful at it requires happiness and happiness and deep lonelinessdeep loneliness.”.”

Robert Schumann, JugendbriefeRobert Schumann, Jugendbriefe

When [Mendelssohn] was playing his own When [Mendelssohn] was playing his own music for Schumann, [Clara] once music for Schumann, [Clara] once commented, "Robert's eyes radiate joy, and it commented, "Robert's eyes radiate joy, and it is very painful for me to have to feel I can is very painful for me to have to feel I can never offer Robert anything like that." never offer Robert anything like that."

Gesammelte Schriften über Musik und MusikerGesammelte Schriften über Musik und Musiker

Loneliness & Loneliness & Network ProblemsNetwork Problems

Joachim said, "He is constantly so filled up Joachim said, "He is constantly so filled up with music that I really don't blame the man for with music that I really don't blame the man for preferring not to be disturbed by the sounds of preferring not to be disturbed by the sounds of the outer world."the outer world."  

… … it appears that Schumann depended on it appears that Schumann depended on music more than conversation to reconstitute music more than conversation to reconstitute a social network.a social network.

Ostwald, P.F.: Schumann: Music and MadnessOstwald, P.F.: Schumann: Music and Madness

Schumann was silent and reserved all evening, Schumann was silent and reserved all evening, as usual. He only mumbled, unintelligibly, when as usual. He only mumbled, unintelligibly, when asked questions.... mostly sat in a corner next to asked questions.... mostly sat in a corner next to the piano ... his head bowed down, hair hanging the piano ... his head bowed down, hair hanging in his face... Clara ... answered all the questions in his face... Clara ... answered all the questions for her husband.for her husband.Eismann: Eismann: Robert Schumann, Ein Quellenwerk über Sein Leben und SchaffenRobert Schumann, Ein Quellenwerk über Sein Leben und Schaffen

Schumann ... [when being introduced] mutely Schumann ... [when being introduced] mutely took a bow without speaking to the assembled took a bow without speaking to the assembled musicians and singers.... Within twenty-four musicians and singers.... Within twenty-four hours the musicians were so dissatisfied and hours the musicians were so dissatisfied and hostile that some of the soloists tried to back hostile that some of the soloists tried to back out. out. 

Berthold Litzmann: Clara Schumann, Ein K(u:)nstlerleben

[[Schumann's mother referred to Schumann's mother referred to him] as "a young, inexperienced person him] as "a young, inexperienced person who only lives in the higher spheres who only lives in the higher spheres and does not want to go into a practical and does not want to go into a practical life."life." Eismann: Eismann: Robert Schumann, Ein Quellenwerküber Sein Leben und SchaffenRobert Schumann, Ein Quellenwerküber Sein Leben und Schaffen

Schumann ... lacked the ... Schumann ... lacked the ... capacity to establish a close rapport capacity to establish a close rapport with others ... because he either said with others ... because he either said nothing or spoke so softly that he nothing or spoke so softly that he would only rarely be understood. would only rarely be understood.

Wasielewski: Wasielewski: Robert Schumann, Eine BiographieRobert Schumann, Eine Biographie. .

… … Schumann's chances of finding work Schumann's chances of finding work again - again - had he been released from had he been released from EndenichEndenich - probably would have been very - probably would have been very limited. His experience and ability as a limited. His experience and ability as a teacher were meager, and as a conductor he teacher were meager, and as a conductor he had failed. Surely Wasielewski, who lived in had failed. Surely Wasielewski, who lived in Bonn, told Richarz that no city in Germany Bonn, told Richarz that no city in Germany would want to have Schumann as a music would want to have Schumann as a music director. Neither would Schumann play the director. Neither would Schumann play the piano ... [he] had not been a virtuoso for piano ... [he] had not been a virtuoso for many years. He might have continued to do many years. He might have continued to do some music criticism.... some music criticism....

Ostwald, P.F.: Schumann: Music and MadnessOstwald, P.F.: Schumann: Music and Madness

((2:i2:i) Infant development of the ) Infant development of the human ‘networking’ systemhuman ‘networking’ system

According to Freud, in the first years of life when speech and consciousness develop, both sex and aggression play definitive roles. How do these various instincts interact?

((22:ii:ii) On Education) On Education

Can education be conceived of as a process conceived of as a process of sorting brains into different networks (like of sorting brains into different networks (like the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter)? the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter)?

““A close study of Freud's work together with A close study of Freud's work together with psychoanalyses conducted by ourselves psychoanalyses conducted by ourselves convinced us that faulty education is … the convinced us that faulty education is … the source of serious illness.”source of serious illness.”

Ferenczi: Psychoanalysis and EducationFerenczi: Psychoanalysis and Education

((2:iii2:iii) On Human Epistemology) On Human Epistemology

Are “identification” and “inference” the sole mechanisms that allow humans to understand other people and things? If so, human understanding has limitation and will become untrustworthy “as the difference between the ego and these 'others' [is] widened.” (Freud)

((2:iv2:iv) On the Hard Problem ) On the Hard Problem of Consciousnessof Consciousness

Perhaps consciousness is thePerhaps consciousness is the subjective “what it’s like”subjective “what it’s like” (Nagel, 1974)(Nagel, 1974) of an objective phenomenonof an objective phenomenon(a “networking” system (a “networking” system functioning within our brains)functioning within our brains)

ConclusionsConclusions Freud, Jung, and their associates have Freud, Jung, and their associates have

examined a function in humans analogous examined a function in humans analogous that of “networking” in computers that of “networking” in computers

The "Mirror System Hypothesis" (The "Mirror System Hypothesis" (Rizzolatti Rizzolatti & Arbib 1998) & Arbib 1998) might be describing this might be describing this same mechanisms, as it closely matches same mechanisms, as it closely matches the dynamics of Freud’s the dynamics of Freud’s ““inferenceinference”” and and

““identificationidentification”,”, and of Lacan’s (1977) and of Lacan’s (1977)

““mirror stagemirror stage”.”.

Conclusions (continue)Conclusions (continue)

Perhaps there is no “networking” Perhaps there is no “networking” mechanism, as such, for humans mechanism, as such, for humans

““They walked along, two continents of They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to experience and feeling, unable to communicate.” communicate.” (Lord of the Flies, William Golding)(Lord of the Flies, William Golding)

MMore work is necessary to ore work is necessary to substantiate substantiate the existence of the systemthe existence of the system

Two Further Questions:Two Further Questions:

If human consciousness has nothing to do If human consciousness has nothing to do with the human soul (but surely soul ≠ with the human soul (but surely soul ≠ consciousness), then where is the soul?consciousness), then where is the soul?

If the phenomenon of consciousness If the phenomenon of consciousness arises from some human networking arises from some human networking mechanism, would it be theoretically mechanism, would it be theoretically possible to communicate with non-human possible to communicate with non-human forms of life, e.g. extraterrestrialsforms of life, e.g. extraterrestrials, God, God? ?

Q & A SECTION

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