Monday, April 2, 2018

Disjoint Consciousness and Internet

What can be called a Disjoint Consciousness is one in which is held two unreconciled beliefs.  The two beliefs might not necessarily involve a contradiction, just a heterogeneity, e. g. one might be a non sequitur with respect to the other.  The two need not be of equal degree, e. g. one belief might be more clearly and distinctly entertained than the other.  Now, as has been previously discussed, an Alienated Consciousness consists in a contradiction between a belief and an objective condition, regarding one's membership in a group.  So, if an Alienated Consciousness became modified by an awareness, even dimly felt, that one is, in fact, a member of the group, while still believing that one is not, then a Disjoint Consciousness can be the result.  Thus, for example, in a society that promotes Individualism, but a Species-instinct nevertheless occurs, a member might experience a Disjoint Consciousness, perhaps what Freud calls a Discontent.  Likewise, a Disjoint Consciousness could result from the use of the Internet in an Individualistic society.  However, without adequate conceptual resources, a Psychologist might never be able to correctly diagnose behavior stemming from a Disjoint Consciousness, e. g. persistent use of the Internet, especially during work hours, might be diagnosed as a malign 'addiction', rather than as a symptom of a need for social connection.

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