Hi Tad,


What is the location of consciousness? The brain is situated in the body. I think one has to start there. However, consciousness does reflect the world around us and in that way connects us to the world. In spite of my initial enthusiasm for your thesis, I would argue that the emotions are also located in the body, too, but are affected by the outside world and our thoughts of the world. For example, there is both our fight or flight responses and the emotional valence of symbols and signs. Our emotions are the mercury in the thermometer, rising and falling with the outside temperature. Our emotions allow for a personal engagement with the world. This is what I think is most important. It is all personal! To be human is to have that personal connection to the world and others. This is one meaning of the Incarnation. There is both a divine and human aspect to our consciousness and feelings.

Nort