“A Layered Model of Human Consciousness”

Abstract

The human brain’s structure operates as a systemic whole with an absolute interdependence between its respective parts. Processes, such as information, consciousness, awareness, conscience depict humans’ layered consciousness state, but also the wholeness, coherence and continuity of human cognition. Awareness contains self-awareness, a fundamental metacognitive ability, through which individuals perceive the internal world of thoughts, reflect, imagine, feel emotions and daydream as well as external awareness, through which individuals perceive the outside world with the help of the five senses. Moreover, neuroplasticity and consciousness are bi-directionally connected; consciousness, on the one hand, is the result of the growing complexity of the brain connectivity and, on the other hand, neuroplasticity stems from reorganizing brain connections through learning activities. The conscious brain is in a perpetual state of learning and evolvement; it learns how to describe and re-describe its own functions and illustrates the ancient Greek word “Anthropos” meaning someone looking higher and higher above.

The 8 Pillars of Metacognition

“…At the same time, the realization of our ignorance marks the beginning of the recognition of a deeper reality [3]. Taking into account, also, the four-layer model of consciousness, as well as the eight-layer model of knowledge, [4,60] we conclude that the transition from one layer to another represents a dynamic change from ignorance to knowledge which translates to a higher form of consciousness and awareness. Only when we proceed to a higher level, are we aware of the previous one.…”

“…At the core of metacognitive development, we place an evolutionary concept that is missing from most theories of metacognition; the concept of adaptation. According to the layer models of intelligence and consciousness [4,5,60], the construction of knowledge is subject to sequential processes of reorganization, transformation and unification through metacognition. Moreover, knowledge is structured hierarchically, reflecting ever higher levels of self-development, self-knowledge, and self-consciousness.…”

“…Without discrimination of the opposites, there is no consciousness [69]. Ascending the hierarchy of knowledge, our ultimate intention is to reach the level of unity [5,60]. However, the voyage is a long one.…”

The Triangle of Spiritual Intelligence, Metacognition and Consciousness

“…Every aspect of intelligence constitutes a reflection of consciousness. Spiritual intelligence integrates and transforms all the others and leads to the Upper-Level of Consciousness state [6]. The final objective of this study is to shed new light on intelligence through consciousness and spiritual intelligence as the missing link.…”

ICT in special education

“…Therefore, the use of ICT would be of added value to be accompanied by the teaching of emotional, social and digital knowledge of students from an early age 3]. As highlighted in research and according to the following models [8], [9], [10], [11]. ICT helps regulate and ascend to higher levels of better functioning of mental emotional functions.…”