From Mind to Supermind: A Statement of Aurobindonian Approach :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

From headspring to Supermind A Statement of Aurobindonian flakABSTRACT In contrast to Western theories of mind, Aurobindos theory is umbrella and holistic. This theory derives from his ontology. With respect to mind, Aurobindo contends that evolution will not stop with man sapien. Rather, he posits higher levels of consciousness Higher Mind, Illumined Mind, transcendental Mind, Overmind, and Supermind. Higher Mind is an intercessor between the Truth-light above and the human mind. Illumined Mind is Spiritual light. Intuitive Mind possesses swift revelatory vision and luminous insight. Overmind acts as an intermediary between Supermind and Intuitive Mind. Supermind contains the self-determining truths of Divine Consciousness it is the Real-Idea inherent in totally cosmic force and existence. The various concepts and theories of mind prevalent today pack had their origin and development in the West. They ass be classified as Psycho-analytical (cf., Sigmund Freud, Karl Jung, A . Adler), Behavioural (cf., Gilbert Ryle), Gestalt (cf., Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, Wolfgang Kohler), Physiological (cf., J. J. C. Smart, U. T. Place, Feigl), Psycho-physical (cf., Karl Popper), Evolutionary (cf., Henry Bergson, Samuel Alexander, Whitehead), structural (cf., R. Rorty, Peter Smith, O. R. Jones), and Mental or Homo Sapiens-oriented (cf., Roger Penrose). The outcome of all such(prenominal) discussions is that mind is mysterious and beyond all scientific explanation. According to the main contemporary view, in particular, there is something essential in human fellow feeling that is not possible to simulate by any computational kernel. This indicates that the nature of mind continues to remain a source of acute tenderness to the Western thinkers. Even their new empirical findings regarding the highly complex psychological acitivity is dubious. The object of this paper is to submit that in this context of the Wests indecisiveness and perplexity, Aurobindos approac h to mind comes as a steer of fresh air. Aurobindos theory of mind is as much inclusive of the essence of the Western schools of thinkers cited above, as it is contrastive. The pioneers in this area from William throng and McDougall through Freud, Jung and Adler etc, established the paradigm of the iceberg with reference to the nature of mind. This can be designated as the infra-structural theory of the entity. The views of the evolutionists (Darwin, Laplace, Bergson, S. Alexander, Whitehead, for instance,) are different but not enriching. All of them fail to recognise that any infra-structure can, and must have, logically speaking, a supra-structure as well, in order to be complete and holistic.