The Evolution of a Universal Collective Unconscious to a Unifying Collective Consciousness

In this paper, I will discuss the longstanding philosophical, and scientific attempts to answer the long-standing question: How can we comprehend the underlying origins of nature and existence, and how does the notion of universal consciousness shape our understanding? In other words, this paper will discuss the potential existence of universal, innately shared experiences, forms of knowledge, desires, etc., as well as the various, subjective ways individuals respond to said universal features. The importance of this question lies within the fundamental, natural desire to understand one's existence, as well as its relation to the surrounding world. Further, I will discuss some of the ancient philosophical theories put forth regarding this question. I will then add to these historical beliefs by discussing and bringing forth ideas regarding the existential aspects inherent to this question. With this, I will propose the idea that there is a universal base of existence, however, this base principle is the intermix of experiences between the nonphysical realm of consciousness and the physical, external world.

The desire to understand the nature of humanity, and what it consists of, has resulted in centuries of research, consisting of both philosophical theories and scientific hypotheses. However, this question was originally brought forth by ancient philosophers, who sought to understand the universal connection that must be shared among, and inherent to both humans and the surrounding world. Some of the earliest philosophers, who lived in ancient Greece, discussed this question at length. As these philosophers developed theories and suggestions regarding this anomaly, the notion of a ‘one’, a singular, unifying principle responsible for all humanity and its surroundings, became fundamental to the answer- as many of these theories proposed that there was a single property that was responsible for all. Nonetheless, there was an array of proposed theories regarding what the ‘one’ was made up of, many of which centered around the earthly elements. For example, Greek philosopher Thales, born c. 624–620 BCE, believed that the basis of everything was water. According to his idea, water must be what creates reality, as all life, both earth and the human body, relies on the nourishment provided by water, therefore making it an absolute necessity to sustaining existence, as well as being a universally shared necessity (O’Grady). Thus, according to Thales, it is from water that all else is born and sustained. Moreover, he argued that because water is changeable, it explains the ability of the earth to cycle through different environmental states- such as the changing of seasons. While Thales’ theory, regarding water as the fundamental principle of existence, is highly unlikely based on the knowledge of today, it did spur on, and contribute to the development of the idea that there is a ‘one,’ at all. 

In addition to this, fire and air were also proposed as creators of this unifying, universal principle. Heraclitus, another Greek Philosopher born c. 540 BCE, brought forth the argument that fire is responsible for the existence of all, while Anaximenes (Born in 6th c. BCE), believed that it was air. Anaximenes argued that air was “ever-lasting in motion,” and therefore eternally alive. Due to this belief of temporal infiniteness, he believed that air, as a result, resembled qualities of the divine- as the gods were also eternal, and nonphysical beings (Anaximenes Of Miletus). Moreover, though the air is intangible, it exists within everything, as oxygen is a necessity for the sustainment of life- similar to Thales' point regarding water. In addition to this, Anaximenes highlighted the fact that air was inherent to both the elements of fire and water. Through evaporation, water becomes air, and fire needs oxygen to burn. Air is a part of everything, it is eternal, and a necessity to life- therefore he believed that it must be the answer to this base principle. Furthermore, through its eternal, non-physical nature, air could also be used to explain the intangible experience of subjective, conscious experiences- also referred to as qualia. This is because conscious experiences take place in a nonphysical realm, just as air is nonphysical. 

While there is little argument that can be made for these elemental theories today, each presented the profound question of a universal principle. However, in response to these environmental suggestions regarding the nature of the ‘one,’ I believe there are also existential aspects and potential answers that are worthy of exploration. To discuss this, it is important to first clarify the main difference that lies between these two forms of exploration. The existential suggestions I bring forth are entirely immaterial, however, there will be an interplay between the nonphysical nature of humanity and the physical world. The theories discussed above are rooted in explanations that revolve around the external world rather than the intangible internal. 

Firstly, there are various ideas and discussions surrounding the nature of the subjective experience of consciousness, which I speak to in this paper. The greatest question that comes with attempting to define what causes the experience of consciousness is how this intangible thing can be connected to the physical body. There are multiple responses to this question, however none can entirely, nor effectively solve this problem of consciousness. Two relevant theories regarding this question are brain functionalism and dualism. These theories differ in their belief of where consciousness lives, and where it takes place. Brain functionalism, also known as materialism, argues that consciousness is solely the result of and rooted in the physical. Consciousness is the neurons that fire within one's brain in response to external stimuli, and the conscious experience is nothing other than this physical engagement. Therefore, according to this theory, the human consciousness (also known as the mind, or soul) is nothing more than the physical inner workings of a human brain. However, studying the brain does not allow one to see the images and thoughts the person is experiencing, thus weakening this theory by its oversimplification of the human mind, thus not effectively answering the question of consciousness. For example, when a person is told to imagine an apple, studying the physical brain would not allow one to see the image of the apple the individual has conjured. This indicates that there is an inherently nonphysical element to consciousness, which brain functionalism does not account for. Countering this theory is the concept of Dualism, which holds the belief that there exists both a nonphysical world, as well as a physical one. Dualism combines materialism with immaterialism, suggesting that human consciousness is a result of both something physical and something nonphysical. It proposes that humans are both corporeal and incorporeal. Dualism argues that the human mind- also known as the soul- resides in some realm outside of the physical. It is in this nonphysical realm that these thoughts, memories, ideas, etc. take place. However, this soul engages with the physical world due to its tether to the physical body, which is constantly responding to external stimuli. For example, if a person is told to imagine an apple, their physical senses are experiencing something in the external world- in this case, the external stimuli is a conversation with another person- and then the mind responds to this in an intangible manner. However, this theory raises another question known as the mind-body problem. The mind-body problem asks the question: Where do this physical body and nonphysical mind connect? Since we cannot see where this connection occurs, nor see the nonphysical, we cannot prove this theory. While dualism does answer the question of the unseeable consciousness, its inability to solve the mind-body problem renders it incomplete and lacking in validity. While neither Dualism nor brain functionalism can fully explain the complexity of existence, they both bring forward valuable ideas and insights regarding the long-standing question of what makes a human, a human- which is likely a result of both a material and immaterial aspect. I will not focus on the interplay that occurs between this material world, and the immaterial world consisting of human consciousness. 

There is a clear sense of unity universally experienced within humans, which can be seen through the undeniable similarities of our most basic needs. Our need for water, as Thales noted, and the need for air, a fact highlighted by Anaximenes- both serve as examples of this universal, human experience. However, there are also fundamental base elements of existence that are universally shared, and completely intangible. To give examples of this, I will first relate these intangible shared experiences to Carl Jung’s theory of a collective unconscious. According to this theory, there is a collective unconscious common to all human beings, causing us to universally, and innately share certain beliefs, instincts, behaviors, and more (Fritscher). Examples of this collective unconscious can be seen in the shared experience of dreaming, the seeking of self-gratification, etc. I would further add to this theory the notion that the experience of universal, and often unifying emotions and emotional drives is also a strong feature of what constitutes the ‘one.’ For example, the unconscious, collective desire for survival can produce feelings of fear as a way to ensure that an individual seeks safety and avoids danger- thus innately incorporating the existential experience into this unifying principle as it is part of what defines the universal human experience. These internal, intangible emotions and thoughts are driven by projections through our physical interactions with the external world. To build upon the use of fear as an example, part of the collective unconscious unifying principle is fear and a desire to seek safety- therefore, as a result of this fear, we consciously begin to implement actions, adjust behaviors, and develop systems to ensure that this desire and instinct is manifested in the physical world- making it no longer solely intangible. This nonphysical experience of fear, induced by a physical experience, leads to the manifestation of developing systems that make one feel protected. This has caused the creation of a shared, universal culture where systems and societies are developed as a means to better chances of survival through numbers by keeping one another safe. In this case, the shared experience of fear- or the shared desire for companionship- has led to the realization that one’s conscious behaviors, should they want to survive, honor the knowledge that listening to the fear, which is rooted in their unconscious, provides. As this collective unconscious is inherent to all, it becomes a collectively conscious experience and desire as a result of its projection into the external world.
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Furthermore, the understanding and responses to these collective unconscious experiences will be inherently subjective. This is due to the vast range of external experiences, both similar and different, that influence a person's intellectual and emotional states and understandings of the world. To give an example of this, imagine a scenario where there are 100 people, both in near and far distance from one another, all experiencing something that deeply terrifies them. The experience that leads to this shared sense of terror ranges, some more similar than others, however, all experiences instill a deep fear of the threat to their safety. As a consequence, his innate desire to be protected kicks in. As a result, individuals develop systems in response to this experience, as a way to lessen the chances of it happening again- or being as vulnerable, should the same event occur. Some people will naturally begin to develop isolated systems, as they do not trust others to provide protection, while others will seek a community that offers a sense of protection in numbers. Seeking community also offers the opportunity to receive the emotional comfort that comes from feeling understood, something that can occur through a shared emotion or experience. A person's decision will be based on their subjective experiences within the physical world. If they were neglected in their youth, then it is more likely they will not find comfort or safety around others, and seek isolation when afraid instead. Should a person have the opposite experience, and experienced great comfort from others in the past, they will be more likely to seek community in times of fear. Whatever path is chosen, the driving force comes from the universally rooted ability to experience fear and desire protection- however, the subjective nature of the human experience will alter how individuals respond to this collectively unconscious drive and manifest it consciously. 

These are basic human instincts rooted in the natural desire to survive. However, these instincts are perpetuated by intangible, shared desires and principles that exist within human consciousness- such as the emotion of fear. While there is a physical basis for experiencing fear, such as a racing heart, increased adrenaline, etc., the thoughts that occur as a result of these physical sensations are what cause us to understand what it is we are feeling. It is in this consciousness that we can give this feeling a name, and mentally process and discuss the sensations induced. This differs from the universal innate drives that are rooted in solely physical needs, such as the need for water and food, therefore, humans demonstrate a shared sense of both a universal unconscious and universal consciousness. It is the interplay between these two forms of consciousness that constitute the universal, base principle of existence- also known as the ‘one.’

As humans seek answers to explain the nature of existence, particularly human existence and all of its complexities, there is an inarguable unity. This unity comes in both physical form, through our shared physical bodies and anatomical similarities, as well as in nonphysical forms- such as the intangible experiences of fear, the nonphysical sensation provided by safety, and companionship, as well as more lighthearted desires such as love, or peace. It is the interaction between these base principles within the human consciousness and the external world that fully encapsulates, and defines the ‘one.’

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