The experiential nature of human existence and consciousness is personal. We often make assumptions about other people based on our own thoughts. In reality, people are unique individuals and, although our behaviour is moulded by the society we live in, there are no constraints on our private fantasies or unconventional ideas.
The person standing next to you at the bus stop may be imagining plunging a knife into your back or setting up home with you and breeding rabbits.
The connected mind is an interesting concept. Consciousness extended beyond the individual to a wider community of thought. I will have to read up on this one, because I may be making stuff up…
We do not have to do any kind of mind-melding in order to be empathetic. Our life experiences should allow us to know what it feels like to suffer loss, joy, ecstasy and the full range of emotions that human beings are prone to.
Some philosophers weren’t keen on emotional experiences because they confound logic. There is nothing neat about profound rage or deep depression. That’s why modern philosophy of mind is not about pure reasoning, but encompasses psychology and human biology for a greater understanding about what makes us us.
odespinner 