CONSC

"‘Unexpected’ thoughts are occasions when the phenomenon of consciousness-as-revelation is noticed consciously (the experience of noticing itself being part of the revelatory experience). The nature of consciousness-as-revelation means that all other conscious states also simply occur. The occurrence of the typical conscious process is distinguished from ‘unexpected’ consciousness in that it is not noticed.


"Rather than ‘it occurred to me’ a more appropriate wording would be ‘the thought occurred’). In addition to its specific content the thought included the usual qualities identifying it as my thought; even though ‘I’ did not intend to have it, it felt as though it originated in my mind, for my mind; I retained a sense of ownership, of responsibility over it; it was mine. This quality of ownership characterises all my conscious states; loss of ownership" 


Most of the time my consciousness progresses without involving a reflection upon the continual revelation of developing states and the passing away of prior ones, but there are frequent occasions when I do experience surprise at the process. An unbidden thought; a long forgotten memory triggered by some sensory experience or arising with apparent spontaneity, perhaps giving rise to further associated memories; the sudden perceptual shift induced by an illusion or magic trick. These kinds of conscious events feel different to the typical conscious experience - a kind of cognitive non sequitur




"Perhaps there exist individuals who do experience a continuous feeling of surprise at their changing consciousness, but it is difficult to imagine how such a permanently introspective condition could confer any evolutionary advantage."

Consciousness-as-Revelation

The idea of consciousness-as-revelation seems counterintuitive at first, but with reflection and self-observation seems undeniable. The obvious objection stems from the lack of surprise (usually) felt at the continual creation of the conscious experience. However, the quality of surprise - or indifference - is part of the experience. There is no pre-existing ‘I’ to which the conscious experience happens, and to which the ‘I’ will react (with surprise or otherwise). The ‘I’ is the experience, including all the affective and sensory qualities revealed therein

"Rather than considering consciousness to be a process governed - in whole or in part - by intentionality, it should be considered a process of continual revelation

"Consciousness, including all thoughts, feelings and perceptions of the subjective ‘I’, is not produced or influenced by a controlling ‘will’;"

Consciousness experiences itself as a continuous process. Even a seemingly static conscious experience - the attention fully absorbed by a particular thing with no disturbances from external sources - is constantly changing."