Personality and Consciousness: A Theoretical Essay

Thomas Natsoulas, Cognition and Brain Theory, 1984, 7, 2, 135-166.

Abstract: Introduces a concept of conscious personality that refers to the distinctive, subjective organization of a person’s personal consciousness. Consciousness is discussed in relation to the ability to identify with one’s mental life, categorize mental episodes, relate segments of this mental life in a maximally meaningful way, relate mental episodes to their causes and effects, and use these contents to acquire knowledge. The nature of the basic ingredients of personal consciousness is considered in relation to H. A. Murray’s (1936, 1938) description of regnant processes, and differing views on the property of consciousness are reviewed. The depreciation of consciousness in modern psychology is examined, with particular reference to the position of Julian Jaynes (1976).