Subconsciousness: Automatic Behavior and the Brain

by Yves Agid

We are conscious of only a small fraction of our lives. Because the brain constantly receives an enormous quantity of information, we need to be able to do things without thinking about them―to act in “autopilot” mode. Automatic behaviors―the vast majority of our activities―occur without our conscious awareness, or subconsciously. Yet the physiological basis of subconsciousness remains poorly understood, despite its vast importance for physical and mental health.

The neurodegenerative disease expert Yves Agid offers a groundbreaking and accessible account of subconsciousness and its significance. He pinpoints the basal ganglia―the ancient “basement of the brain”―as the main physiological hub of the subconscious. Agid examines its roles in the control and production of automatic behavior, including motor, intellectual, and emotional processes. He highlights the consequences for various brain pathologies, showing how malfunctions of the subconscious have clinical repercussions including not only abnormal involuntary movements, as seen in Parkinson’s disease, but also psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorders and depression. Based on this understanding, Agid considers how seeing the basal ganglia as a therapeutic target can aid development of potential new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Shedding new light on the physiological bases of our behavior and mental states, this book provides an innovative exploration of the complexities of the mind, with implications ranging from clinical applications to philosophy’s thorniest problems.

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2021

About the author

Yves Agid, Professor Emeritus of neurology and cellular biology, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris, France.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are not that many writers who are practicing neurologists out there who still use the notion of the subconscious and it’s relation to automatism. Dr. Agid works or worked at the same institution which once houses the likes of Charcot and Janet and he continues some of their notions.

The human organism, as Agid sees it continuously oscillates functionally between two phases, the subconscious , in where one acts automatically without much conscious intent. In where we are, a sort of automatic being. A mechanical device that senses its environment. and meta-consciousness in where the being notes contradictions in their experiences, for which automatic response will not suffice, this leading to a need for the mind to retake hold of the body.

It’s truly a fascinating concept. First articulated it seems by the likes of Pierre Janet in his l’homme autamatism. Which has unfortunately not really for the most part yet reached English speaking audiences despite Janet being a contemporary of freud .

This book describes a variety of different pathologies encountered clinical in a neuroscience setting and sees them as working within this framework.

I should remark, the notion of being meta-conscious I believe to be Agid’s own design. It’s mechanism , like the mechanism of the subconscious are non specified making the idea somewhat vague, albeit conceptually provoking.

I rate it four stars out of sheer respect for very little contemporaneous literature articulating a similar view point.

It’s a short and easy read.

[Maggie Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, provides a thought-provoking argument for the Basal Ganglia as the neural substrate of subconsciousness and, therefore, automatic human behaviors. Presents interesting case studies and acknowledges quite a few perspectives on 3 types of consciousness. Nice