Consciousness as Neural Integration and Emergent Selfhood: Ramifications Across Global Human Domains
Abstract
Modern neuroscience and philosophy support a model of consciousness as arising from dynamic neural integration, with personal subjectivity (“I”) treated as an emergent property rather than a metaphysical axiom. Thought emerges from distributed, impersonal experiential processes, where identity, agency, and rationality coalesce as local maxima of neural and informational complexity. Reframing Descartes’ Cogito in this manner fundamentally alters perspectives on culture, economics, and society within global contexts.iep.utm+3
Neural Integration Before Selfhood
Contemporary theories such as Integrated Information Theory (IIT) argue that consciousness stems from the coordinated integration of information across neural networks. Neural groups produce experiences via feedback loops and recurrent processing, which precede the development of selfhood. The “I” emerges from narrative construction, memory integration, and social interaction, restructuring cognition from individual-centric to distributed phenomenon.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+6
Key Pillars
- Experience results from integrated neural activity, not the property of a pre-existing self.frontiersin+1
- Selfhood arises as a dynamic narrative built by memory, social engagement, and context; the “I” is contingent and emergent.axispraxis.wordpress+1
- Thought is the sequential outcome of experiential integration, manifesting within a contextually constituted self and reflecting both impersonal and personal cognitive layers.partiallyexaminedlife+1
Cultural Implications
Recognizing selfhood as emergent shifts artistic and literary expression towards collective narratives and dialogical creativity. Postmodern and global art, which interrogates identity and explores shared experience, aligns closely with this framework. Spiritual and philosophical traditions that treat selfhood as processual or illusory (e.g., Buddhism, existentialism) find increased empirical support, facilitating intercultural dialogue and new approaches to meaning-making.yohanjohn+3
Economic Implications
If selfhood and thought are outcomes of integrated experiential processes, work and productivity models may emphasize collaborative, networked intelligence. Consumer culture shifts towards brands fostering shared, context-dependent communities, especially in global digital environments.sciencedirect+3
Societal Implications
Education benefits by focusing on relational learning, adaptive narratives, and neuroscience-informed pedagogy. Mental health interventions can target trauma, neuroplasticity, and narrative therapy, understanding identity as dynamic and emergent. Policymaking and global relations are transformed through distributed agency, supporting cosmopolitan frameworks and responsive governance for diverse populations.worldphilosophyreligion.substack+4
Global Context
The model accommodates non-Western and indigenous worldviews, decentering a fixed “I” and promoting participatory culture and policy worldwide. Shared humanity is foregrounded, where thought and agency are emergent phenomena produced by interconnected experience and collaboration.incarnateword+2
Conclusion
The shift from “I think, therefore I am” to “Neural integration and experience precede selfhood and thought; the ‘I’ is an emergent narrative shaped by dynamic network processes” redefines identity and cognition for an interconnected, pluralistic world. This framework supports new possibilities for global culture, economic innovation, and social cooperation.iep.utm+2
References
- Frontiers Cellular Neuroscience. (2019). Consciousness: New Concepts and Neural Networks.frontiersin
- Integrated Information Theory of Consciousness. (2015). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.iep.utm
- John, Y. (2022). Are Selves Illusory? Emergent? Ubiquitous?.yohanjohn
- PMC. (2020). Subjectivity as an Emergent Property of Information Processing by Complex Systems.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
- Axis, Praxis. (2020). Are Selves Illusory? Emergent? Ubiquitous?.axispraxis.wordpress
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2017). Self-Consciousness.plato.stanford
- ScienceDirect. (2024). An integrative, multiscale view on neural theories of consciousness.sciencedirect
- Wikipedia. (2010). Integrated information theory.wikipedia
- The Partially Examined Life. (2011). Thoughts on Sartre.partiallyexaminedlife
- Kastrup, B. (2014). Does it matter whether all is in consciousness?.bernardokastrup
- Incarnate Word. The Divine: Personal, Impersonal, and Transcendent.incarnateword
- Reddit. (2024). Experience of consciousness.reddit
- ScienceDirect. (2024). Cognition is an emergent property.sciencedirect
- Substack. (2025). Between the Personal and the Impersonal.worldphilosophyreligion.substack