“Soul Dust: The Magic of Consciousness” is a compelling book written by Nicholas Humphrey, a renowned psychologist and philosopher. In this seminal work, Humphrey combines insights from various disciplines, including philosophy, neuroscience, evolutionary theory, and psychology, to explore one of the most intriguing and profound questions of human existence: What is consciousness, and why do we have it?
Humphrey starts by acknowledging the profound mystery of consciousness — the fact that we not only perceive the world around us but also experience a rich subjective world. Our sensations are imbued with a distinct “raw feel,” a characteristic that Humphrey often refers to as “sensational qualities” or “qualia.” Humphrey raises the question: Why has evolution led to creatures that not only react to their environment but also perceive and experience it?
To address this mystery, Humphrey presents his theory, dubbed as “soul dust” theory. He proposes that consciousness enriches life by adding a magical, enchanting dimension to it, making life “worth living.” This enchantment, he suggests, acts as a motivator for humans to want to stay alive and reproduce, and thus consciousness, despite being a rather complex and energetically expensive process, has been favored by evolution.
Central to Humphrey’s argument is the idea that consciousness is an evolutionary adaptation. He proposes that our ancestors, by becoming conscious, started finding the world more interesting and worthwhile, which in turn increased their attachment to life and their will to survive and reproduce. This perspective marks a significant departure from traditional scientific views that often consider consciousness an epiphenomenon or by-product of brain activity with no adaptive value.
The term “soul dust,” as Humphrey explains, is a metaphor for the pixie dust that can turn ordinary matter into something magical. He suggests that consciousness is like this dust, sprinkled on the brain, transforming it from a simple information-processing machine to a theater of sensations and subjective experiences. Consciousness, according to Humphrey, creates the “magical show” that takes place in our minds.
Moreover, Humphrey argues that our ability to marvel at our conscious experience — our self-awareness — further amplifies the value we attach to life. He refers to this as “doubling back” on our sensations: We not only have sensations but also know that we have them and can reflect on them. This feedback loop creates a sense of self — a continuous narrative that we identify as our “self.” Thus, consciousness, in Humphrey’s view, plays a crucial role in shaping our identity and sense of self-worth.
Throughout the book, Humphrey engages with various theories and philosophies of mind, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives. He appreciates the dualist perspective of Descartes but critiques its impracticality. He engages with materialism, the idea that consciousness can be reduced to physical processes, and while acknowledging its scientific traction, he argues that it fails to explain the richness and “magic” of our conscious experience. In contrast, Humphrey’s theory attempts to reconcile these perspectives, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of consciousness while rooting it in evolutionary theory and brain processes.
“Soul Dust: The Magic of Consciousness” is an exploration into the heart of our conscious experience. It is not just a book about the science of consciousness, but it is also a philosophical and even existential meditation on the value and wonder of life. Humphrey presents consciousness as a grand, magical show put on by the brain, enchanting us and making life more desirable and worthwhile.
In conclusion, Humphrey’s theory of consciousness as “soul dust” brings together ideas from diverse disciplines to offer a comprehensive understanding of why we are conscious. It highlights the role of consciousness in making life worth living, underlining its crucial role in our survival and evolution. The book’s unique perspective challenges us to view consciousness not as a puzzle to be solved, but as a marvel to be celebrated. By weaving together elements of science, philosophy, and even poetry, “Soul Dust: The Magic of Consciousness” invites us to appreciate the extraordinary phenomenon of consciousness and to contemplate the profundity of our existence.