On Consciousness or Where does it come from?

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Here is an interesting site for those interested in expanding their thinking process.

 

http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2010/01/human-consciousness/

 

Read it and share what you THINK?

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Here is a tease: 1. Humans are not conscious – it’s just an illusion.

If this is the case, then we immediately run into an apparent contradiction. How is it possible to think about whether you’re conscious without actually being conscious? This is very similar to the argument behind “I think, therefore I am.”

Still, I don’t think we can rule it out entirely. Sometimes I look into the mirror and wonder, “Are you really me, or do I just think you are? And if the latter, do I really think you are, or do I just think I think you are?”

[E Donelson II]

After sitting here reading nuttall and pondering what I read (comments included), I am afraid that I may have lost "consciousness", for one thing. The piece runs deeply into "things" that I have considered about being "awake", as to say aware of things around me, using a combination of sight and feel and smell, and taste, if it is dinner time. So, for me the first level of "consciousness" is awake/aware. As we move to the mirror, the reflection I see I assure myself it is me because in fact it shows a reflection of who I consider to be myself to me; am I looking at a "conscious" self-image? I would say I am as I am able to recognize the personal reflective image as me. Most times I do need a shave, though. lol But I would say that you're looking to invoke a greater challenge here than the mere thought "is that my head or not" or "if that's not my head, what is it"? The article goes on to talk about artificial intelligence and/or artificial consciousness as if to ask "how conscious could a machine be built to be and would it be anything like so-called human consciousness". Technological advances that have been made with micro-processors, digital electronics, micro-chips and such have shown greatly in mimicking the human synaptic sequences, as for the results of a considered process would show. Given enough information, abstract and otherwise, yes, a machine could delivered considered results. I would say the question goes further; can a machine/computer design be on par with the consciousness of humans when it comes to emotions, candid response, or even so far as to recognize the appropriateness of anything related to those conditions.

So, if I am not conscious and it's just an illusion, then whose illusion is it and why do I have it? Or do I have it? Or does it have me? Using Ocam's Razor, the simplest best answer for me is...I really don't know!

~E!

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

E. I read years ago that consciousness was a trick of the Universe so it could see and experience itself. Like you, I don't know, but that thought has stuck with me ever since. I tend more and more to lean on it being a function of the brain starting at the molecular level an emerging factor. I want to know if it is not in the brain then why is that when a person sustains massive brain damage they are not conscious, but instead in a vegetated state?

[Emenike La]

Trick or Treat Al?  I like to think of it as a technology, not necessarily magical or trickery, but certainly manipulation of the highest order.  And so I give thanks for The Game... 

 

Though I have not experimented with vegetation due to massive brain damage, I have experimented with near death vegetation.  I was able to communicate with the person through some simple energetic awareness techniques.  I first got the idea I could do this from Arnold Mindell at the Process Work Institute in Portland.  They have a course that teaches people how to "dream with" people who are in comas.  This is, of course, an ancient technology utilized in most indigenous cultures.  

[Emenike La]

The cave is an archetypical masculine dream image used to contain wisdom or treasures along with other esoteric functions.  The feminine equivalent is the womb.  I wonder what wisdom would com forth if this cartoon were two women?

[E Donelson II]

Amazing, Emenike. As soon as I read this I began to wonder; what, if any, wisdom would come forth from the dream image equation for woman, the womb. Applying my limited imagination to this only left me with a feeling that more of this thread needed to be examined as to realize, by comparison, the wisdom and treasures of woman. And it's relativity to "conscious", "conscious" and "consciousness".Thanks! I will explore further.

E

[LaSanta Jones-Teil]

I hear this conversation or topic very readily. Personally, I attest to the notion that there are simply DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. I am "differently" conscious of things than I were 20 years ago. A perfect 'illusion' would be that of a time or period were everyone thought like YOU (whoever YOU are) and no time was spent presenting information because we all possessed 'right knowledge'...whatever that might be. As far as illusions, it is extremely easy to with any altered perception of a shitty reality, i.e how is my son going to eat this week, how will i pay my rent/mortgage, will I be to make it to dictionary class with less than a 4th of a tank of gas. It is these things that make delusion, illusion, religion, sac religion so easily receptive, in my opinion.

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Maikia, I agree and somewhere on the site we have an extensive list of different levels of consciousness.

[Clifford Black]

Asimov, Butler, Sagan and the character called jesus would all be proud to know that this dialog is now taking place in a public forum. The conversation itself, if that can be considered a self, is an important motivating factor.

[Clifford Black]

and btw E, the cartoon is on time.

[Emenike La]

I collect maps of different levels of consciousness.  They're like candy for me.  

I add the word frequency as an evolution of the concept of a level to perceive subtler realms of consciousness.  Not only are there different frequencies of consciousness but they can be seen, heard, felt, and manipulated!  Especially within the self.  It is also possible to have different frequencies of consciousness at different times in our daily reality.  

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Mr. B. when I asked, by you, was I aware of my awareness that shook me to the core. I started to thinking about times in my life when I was a spectator to what I was doing and saying. Well who or more importantly what was that? It certainly was not ME in the true sense of what me means, perhaps it was I observing me? Yet, who am I? That is a rhetorical and yet a valid question.

 

BTW, on my way to Denver in the morning. Will check in later.

 

Peace

 

A