Consciousness as a Narrativized Self: The Role of Abstract and Inner Thought in Forming the Conscious Experience

Consciousness and Inner Thinking

Abstract

The "hard problem" of consciousness, explaining how physical processes give rise to subjective experience, often leads to speculations beyond empirical science. This article suggests a framework that reinterprets consciousness not as a singular entity but as an emergent, narrativized self-model constructed by the brain. We argue that through the interplay of abstract and inner thought, primarily facilitated by language and implemented by networks such as the Default Mode Network (DMN), the brain generates a running narrative that integrates memories, perceptions, and interoceptive signals into a first-person story of a self-acting in a world. We have supported this by synthesizing evidence from neuroscience, developmental psychology, and philosophy. Although this view does not dissolve the hard problem, it demystifies consciousness by aligning it with other abstract, brain-constructed concepts like creativity or morality, suggesting it is a unique product of the brain's interpretive storytelling function rather than a metaphysical mystery. By implementing this structure and adding these elements, the manuscript will transform from an interesting collection of ideas into a powerful, coherent, and scholarly argument that makes a genuine contribution to the field.