Exploring the Dimensions of Human Consciousness

Iqbal’s Synthesis of Neurophysiology, Spirituality, and Philosophy

Abstract

This article is about Iqbal's views on ego, consciousness, self, space, and time, as presented in his Reconstruction. Iqbal distinguishes ego from the soul and rejects its identification as a rigid physical substance. The ego, he argues, operates with its own energy and interacts with time differently during life and after death. Central to Iqbal’s thesis is the role of consciousness in understanding ego, which presents philosophical challenges for distinguishing between ego and consciousness. It is also described here that  whether Iqbal’s position aligns with dualism or monistic materialism, examining his views on Divine Time, space, and the relationship between matter and consciousness in light of modern physics and biology. Further, the discussion of neurons and their functions introduces a neurophysiological approach to consciousness, yet Iqbal distances himself from reductionist views, critiquing the limited scope of science in grasping reality. He argues that scientific observations are fragmentary and cannot fully capture the nature of consciousness, which is intertwined with both internal and external stimuli. The article also delves into Iqbal’s understanding of time, distinguishing between serial time and Divine time, as well as between the efficient and appreciative self, offering a unique philosophical approach. His insights resonate with modern phenomenological ideas about inner and outer experiences and challenge reductionist science’s approach to consciousness.