Final answer:
The concept of a self-controlling cosmos is derived from the idea that through reflection on the self, one gains knowledge of the universe, as seen in Vedic and Buddhist traditions, as well as in certain Western philosophical and scientific perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sense of a self-controlling cosmos arises from various religious and philosophical cosmologies that explore the relationship between the self and the universe. In Vedic texts, it is believed that through reflection on the self, one can understand the cosmos, indicating a structural analogy between the self and the universe. This idea is not just confined to Eastern traditions but is also touched upon by Western philosophical thought, suggesting alternative cosmologies like M theory and concepts of an eternal, ever-changing energy at the core of the universe's existence.
Moreover, evolutionary biology contributes to this understanding by considering that human beings, who are made up of atoms from past generations of stars, are capable of self-reflection, thereby making the matter in the universe aware of itself. The Buddhist doctrine of dependent origination (interdependent arising) goes further to suggest that everything in the universe is interconnected, with no single first cause or prime mover. These notions lead to a complex picture in which the mind and consciousness play a central role in perceiving and conceptualizing the cosmos.