Neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin tackles the age-old question of consciousness in his book One Hand Clapping, arguing that understanding life’s origins holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of the mind. Drawing parallels between Zen Buddhist koans and modern science, Kukushkin invites readers on a thought-provoking journey through evolutionary history, urging us to consider not just “how” but “why” nature unfolds in specific patterns.
Published first in Russian and now translated into English by the author himself, One Hand Clapping blends scientific rigor with philosophical musings. Kukushkin champions the concept of “essences” – recurring themes or patterns he sees as fundamental drivers of life’s evolution. He likens these essences to Plato’s “eidos,” arguing they are not mystical concepts but rather empirically observable tendencies shaped by natural selection.
Think of hydrothermal vents, for example. Kukushkin goes beyond simply describing them as geological formations teeming with unique ecosystems. Instead, he sees them as embodiments of a broader principle: the tendency for complexity to arise from increased energy utilization. This pattern appears across diverse life forms – from deep-sea vent organisms harnessing chemical energy to photosynthetic cells capturing sunlight and even humans burning fossil fuels for power.
Kukushkin illustrates his point through an intriguing study of Aplysia californica, a humble sea slug. He meticulously outlines how this creature, through its sensory neurons, motor neurons, muscles, and siphon (a vital breathing organ), develops the abstract concept of “dangerous touch” regardless of location. This seemingly simple abstraction allows the slug to make life-or-death decisions based on learned patterns.
For Kukushkin, this neuronal dance in a sea slug mirrors the fundamental processes underlying human thought. While our minds are undeniably more complex, he posits that we too build abstract ideas upon these foundational pattern recognitions. These abstractions, layered one upon another, underpin everything from our visual perception to language and ultimately, consciousness itself.
One Hand Clapping is a bold attempt to bridge the apparent chasm between objective biological processes and subjective conscious experience. Kukushkin suggests that perhaps what we perceive as “subjective” – feelings, thoughts, awareness – is merely a sophisticated manifestation of the very same “objective” patterns found in the physical world. This perspective, while intriguing, may not satisfy everyone.
While the book offers a fascinating glimpse into how evolutionary principles might contribute to consciousness, it ultimately leaves us grappling with the enduring mystery of subjective experience. Perhaps the true value lies in Kukushkin’s encouragement: to think deeply about the “why” behind life’s unfolding, even if definitive answers remain elusive.
