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Probing the Human MInd

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Submitted by: Willis W. Harman

Submit Date: 2004-06-17

Probing the Human Mind

By Willis W. Harman

Beliefs are unconscious as well as conscious, and they have a profound effect on values, personality, and behavior. To understand more of these dynamics, scientists have recently intensified their diverse inquires into the human mind. What are the differences among these various kinds of probes? How does consciousness research differ from cognitive science and the neurosciences?

A simplified answer can be given in terms of an analogy. Imagine being confronted with a computer for the first time and seeking to understand it. One research approach might be to study the behavior of the device by examining carefully the inputs and outputs, not being overly concerned with what is "inside the box". That approach, when applied to human beings, we call the behavioral science approach.

Another scientist might seek understanding through various sorts of probing into the physical workings inside the box. She or he might study the hardware—the arrangements of circuits—and find out what kinds of currents are flowing in the network. That sort of approach to understanding human beings is termed the neurosciences approach.

Still another method of inquiry is to study the software—to seek to understand the computer by analyzing the programs that govern operation of the circuits. Applying the concepts of computer programming and artificial intelligence to the study of the human mind is called the cognitive science approach.

Yet another scientist might argue that one can understand the computer in a different way by focusing on the instructions at a "meta-program" level—those that generate the programs and define the meaning of the computer's activity. This scientist might also assert that one must inquire into the mind of the programmer to really understand the computer. This kind of attitude distinguishes the consciousness research approach.

Much of this field of inquiry is quite new, in spite of fragmentary research throughout the history of science. The behavioral sciences date back to the early part of the century. This neurosciences have been a recognized discipline for less than two decades, cognitive science for less than one. Consciousness research has gained recognition only in the past few years.

Willis Harman was the former President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. From Professor of Engineering-Economic Systems at Stanford, he moved to SRI International in Menlo Park, California, where for sixteen years he did research in futures studies and strategic planning. He was the author of Global Mind Change and Creative Work, among other books. He died in 1997.

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Link: http://www.noetic.org/publications/review/issue08/r08_Harman2.html