Human Being Senses

If our human body is just a physical thing and doesn't have feelings on its own, then who or what is actually experiencing the world through the five senses?

Who Is Really Feeling in the Body? And what are the five senses of a human being

Our five senses help us to observe, hear, touch, taste, and smell the environment around us every day. Part of our physical body, our eyes gather light; our ears catch sound waves; our skin responds to pressure or temperature. But here's a more profound question: Is the body genuinely experiencing feeling or is anything else driving the experience?

Scientifically, the body is a sophisticated tool. It responds appropriately to environmental cues by transmitting them to the brain. Made of cells, bones, and nerves, though, the body itself is not conscious. It is ignorant on its own. Unless the brain processes a signal, your hand experiences no agony. Though it is a physical organ, even the brain handles information but does not account for the awareness experience.

Who or what is then really aware of what the body is sensing?

This is where consciousness starts. Consciousness is the internal awareness, the you behind the body. It is that which lives, thinks, dreams, and feels emotions. While contemporary science just refers to it as consciousness, several philosophies and spiritual traditions relate to this as the soul or self.

To sum up, you are the user of a hightech device—that is, the body. The eyes see; the ears hear—but it is you, the conscious being, who really feels everything.

Thus, keep in mind next time you see a sunset or feel the wind: though your body may be picking it up, you are the one really experiencing it.

Is it the brain that feels?

The brain is involved, but it is not the only factor.

Here's the more clearly separated breakdown:

All the sensory impulses your brain interprets. Light reaches your eyes, but your brain converts that into a picture you see.

Your body would not be able to operate and you would have no experiences if your brain were not present. Yes, the brain is needed for sensing and responding.

The turn is here:

Though the brain analyses the data, it still begs the question of why we are conscious of it.

For instance:

Though it is unaware it is doing so, a computer may handle images, music, and commands.

Though your brain processes information as well, you are cognizant of seeing, thinking, or feeling. Consciousness is the name given to that awareness.

So what do the specialists say?

Materialists—many scientists— assert:

Yes, the brain produces all of consciousness. It is just a consequence of complicated brain activity.

Dualists / Spiritual perspectives provide:

Consciousness is like a soul or awareness that uses the brain; the brain is like hardware

Final thought:

The brain is comparable to the TV; consciousness is like the viewer. The TV depicts the image, but something or someone is staring at it.

Then is it solely the brain? Might be. Still, many think there is more—something that makes you conscious of being alive, feeling, and reasoning.

Many customs, faiths, and philosophies would concur that the real you is inside the body—that is, some form of soul or spirit.

The basic concept is:

Your body resembles a car.

Your brain resembles the control system.

But you are the soul, spirit, or awareness using the body and brain; you sense, consider, choose, and are conscious.

Various viewpoints:

Science (Materialism):

Everything you are—your thoughts, feelings, consciousness—comes from the brain. Everything ceases when the brain dies.

There is only brain activity; there is no distinct soul.

Viewpoint spiritual/religious: Islam, Christianity, Hinduism.

You are a spirit housed in a body. The soul is everlasting; the body is temporary. The soul keeps on its voyage even after the body perishes.

Philosophy and consciousness studies:

Some philosophers contend that the brain cannot completely account for consciousness. One may have a more fundamental knowledge, the true self, which is not tangible.

Yes—many people (and civilizations) think the soul or spirit is what truly feels, experiences, and gives life to the body.

The body devoid of soul is like a car without a driver; it might look whole but it cannot travel.