Is There a Hidden Pilot for Life: The Illusion of Self and the Reality of Process

In this essay we have presented a picture of “life” as a continuous unfolding of complex nonconscious physical and chemical processes governed by their laws, which are automatic in nature. The endlessly adaptive nature of the complex processes of life is highlighted here. We have showcased how physical laws can produce seemingly "intelligent" outcomes in simpler systems such as bacteria, slime-mould, including water, appearing as emergent living qualities like choice, intention, or consciousness. We argue that there is no central ghostly “self” pulling strings to activate any living action, rather it is automatic physical and chemical processes driven by biological cells (neurons in our case) to adapt to any given situation. We have tried to address here whether we are living in an autopilot mode.