skyrider

https://www.bloombergquint.com/gadfly/what-is-consciousness-scientists-around-the-world-compete-to-find-out

To scientists, consciousness is known as "the hard problem" because no one knows what it is, or where it originates. Personally I believe consciousness can not originate in the brain because abstract things,(existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence) like emotion, feeling states, love, hate, ect are not computational , which is the function of the brain in producing an image of any tangible thing such as a chair, a car, or any material object. I think that the Universe itself is conscious, which includes our consciousness , and the brain is merely a receiver of the information.
How about some thoughts on this from all you OPP'ers. Could make for an interesting discussion, and be a welcome break from mud slinging.

Iliamna1

That spiritual side of man is instinctively known. How can confusion recognize beauty, or ugliness, right, or wrong.
"The fool says in his heart "there is no God." But the knowledge of Him also confirms that consciousness you are talking about.

JW

What is your definition of consciousness? What do you define as its limits?

Quakerwidow Loc: Chestertown, MD

I think the error comes in trying to limit consciousness to the brain when emotions are felt in the gut.

PeterS

Well, apes, dolphins, and whales--just to name a few--are aware of their surroundings and are conscious. Wouldn't that point to the brain for its origins?

skyrider

No, that would not point to the brain as the origin of consciousness. To be "aware of surroundings" is a different process that relies on computational perception of light waves entering the eyes which are sent to the brain and converted into images of material objects.However, Apes, Dolphins ect. may have a degree of consciousness , which is again separate from "awareness".

skyrider

Yes, that is another way of saying that "mind" exists outside of and independent from the brain.

skyrider

My Idea is that the brain is just a radio receiver capable of receiving the information that is intrinsic to the conscious Universe. That would be my opinion but of course there are countless other ideas along the road to answer natures biggest mystery.

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

There are books and libraries full of material on this subject. Trying to get to the heart of the issue in a short blog post would be near impossible. Yet, I will give you my personal opinion on this subject.

I find it inconceivable that when you view the complexity of the human body, and the vastness of the world and space around us, any rational human being could not believe in the existence of a divine presence.

What are we here for, what is our purpose in life? Is is one and done?

Are all living things connected with some spiritual life force, and awareness? Science has show thru experimentation that plants feel pain, and that indicates a degree of awareness, or consciousness.

I have always been fascinated with the stories and investigations that have been conducted in previous life incidences. I have read numerous books, and been fascinated by the writings of Edgar Casey and others like Casey, and the so called prophets that have arisen thru the ages. Were these people simply more spiritually aware individuals than those around them?

If grass and trees and all living things have a life force/consciousness, is it similar to what humans have, but only to a lesser degree? Do some of us have a greater spiritual awareness or consciousness than others? And, if that is so, does that suggest that each of us are given choices to make that ultimately increase or decrease our spiritual awareness/consciousness. Is our purpose here to become better and more perfect spiritual beings, with the end goal to be reunited with our creator?

I guess these are all questions we must ask each of our selves, and arrive at our own conclusions.

skyrider

Looks like we agree that the perfection in which the Universe works would be mathematically impossible without intelligent design.

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

JW

But what are you defining consciousness to be? If you are defining it as self-awareness then you are incorrect. Self-awareness is entirely separate from response to stimuli which happens without the self being involved. Self-awareness is regularly turned off by many modern anesthetics but the individual remains conversant and responsive to instructions.

Most definitions of consciousness include or center on self-awareness. Some few definitions limit it as the ability to respond to a stimulus. That makes a darkness activated yard-light conscious.

The real problem with this topic is the inspecific definition of the concept.

Your proposal, that the brain is a receiver for a cosmic consciousness, has a great many problems. For one thing, it suggests that individuals receive instructions for their actions from outside themselves; good bye to free will... and responsibility for one's actions.

Iliamna1

God, trou9gh His son, Jesus Christ, Created the entire universe and gave us the mental, emotional and spiritual capacity to appreciate what He has done. We were created to glorify and worship our Creator. Humans do that by admitting we're sinners and believing that our salvation was paid for by Jesus Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every Christian.

woodguru

Scientists around the world are mystified as to why there seems to be no consciousness among millions of trump supporters, meanwhile studies and brain imaging is showing that the part of the brain that processes new information is atrophied among people who rely on already formed beliefs versus actually processing new facts. It literally is an atrophied and lazy brain.

woodguru

Aliens are intelligent design, really?