Exploring the Depths of Consciousness: Insights and Reflections
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Consciousness
“Who are you, Master?’ Frodo inquired.
‘Eh, what?’ replied Tom, his eyes sparkling in the dim light.
‘Don’t you know my name yet? That’s the only answer. Tell me, who are you, alone, yourself and nameless?”
— J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Renowned physicist Sir Roger Penrose has posited that, contrary to the views of some advocates for conscious AI, consciousness cannot be reduced to mere computation. His argument is straightforward: the majority of the brain’s computational processes occur without conscious awareness. For instance, when a tennis player strikes a ball into a corner of the court, their conscious intention is present, yet the complex calculations and motor functions that dictate the ball’s trajectory are unconscious. Thus, while the brain operates algorithmically, this does not equate to the essence of consciousness itself.
Some thinkers, including prominent atheist philosopher Sam Harris and various schools of thought such as Buddhism, contend that even thought and intention lack true consciousness. They propose that these are not unconscious processes in the same vein as Penrose's examples but are rather conscious only in the sense that they surface in awareness rather than being products of it. This perspective suggests that to think a thought is simply to witness its emergence into consciousness. Consequently, the notion of 'self'—the idea that the mind is governed and directed by a conscious entity—becomes an illusion, as asserted by Harris and others.
This interpretation of consciousness as a mere byproduct of brain activity aligns with a materialistic worldview. While it does not fully elucidate consciousness, it relegates it to a lesser role in the brain’s operations. Concepts such as self, conscious thought, and free will are often dismissed as “illusions.” This notion is echoed in works like Daniel Dennett’s ‘Consciousness Explained’, which ironically fails to do much explaining, since Dennett views consciousness as insignificant, describing it as “the brain’s ‘user illusion’ of itself.”
Nevertheless, consciousness cannot simply be an epiphenomenon. The idea that one is not the self, or that consciousness merely observes thoughts, overlooks the capacity to contemplate consciousness itself. When I articulate a thought like “I am conscious” or “I am aware of my consciousness,” I acknowledge that both consciousness and thought are interlinked; thought reflects what consciousness perceives. Thus, it is impossible to completely divide consciousness from thought, regardless of how much one meditates.
Moreover, the proposition that perception is solely a brain function ignores the fact that self-awareness begins with consciousness. Given that consciousness is inherently subjective, framing it within an objective causal framework proves challenging. If I think, “I am conscious,” what precisely is my thought observing? How can a process seemingly reducible to objective terms observe an inherently subjective quality?
The Unraveling of Consciousness
Despite our extensive inquiry, we remain largely ignorant of the role consciousness plays in the brain or how to define it adequately. Each attempt to categorize consciousness encounters significant challenges. Spiritualists and nondual advocates argue for the primacy of consciousness, yet they must contend with the mind's relationship to objective reality and the scientific principles that govern it. While Dennett's critiques may have merit, they often oversimplify complex issues. Conversely, materialists who seek to reduce consciousness to mere interactions of matter must grapple with the undeniable reality of qualitative subjectivity.
This lack of clarity surrounding consciousness often leads to individuals who loudly assert their views without having definitive answers. Thinkers like Dennett may express what they wish the answer to be rather than providing a genuine explanation. Consciousness becomes a "God of the gaps," filled with personal biases.
The resurgence of panpsychism illustrates the struggle to comprehend consciousness. Philosophers like Philip Goff propose that materialism inevitably leads to categorical errors and suggest that everything possesses some form of consciousness. Goff claims, “The basic commitment is that the fundamental constituents of reality—perhaps electrons and quarks—possess incredibly simple forms of experience.”
However, this perspective raises further questions. What does an electron possess that we can define as "consciousness"? Does it have an experience of its own? Goff acknowledges that while most panpsychists would deny that socks have consciousness, they assert that socks are composed of conscious entities. This leads to questions about the brain's consciousness compared to non-conscious objects like socks. How do individual elements of consciousness combine to form something singularly conscious?
At its core, this version of panpsychism seems to mirror materialism, simply substituting one term for another without addressing the fundamental challenges. It fails to resolve the subject-object dilemma and does not clarify the unique characteristics of consciousness. Without the capacity to validate consciousness in others, the notion of attributing it to particles like electrons becomes unfounded. This argument relies heavily on faith rather than empirical evidence.
A compelling narrative that hints at the significance of consciousness is illustrated in Andy Weir’s short story ‘The Egg,’ popularized by the YouTube channel Kurzgesagt. The story describes a character who dies and converses with God, who reveals that every life on Earth has been lived by them—they are reincarnated through history.
Alan Watts encapsulated this idea by stating, “You can’t experience nothing; after death, the only thing that happens is a rebirth experience. We all know that after one person dies, another is born, and they are all you, just experienced one at a time.”
This perspective offers a solution by suggesting that consciousness is the primary reality, while also addressing the challenge of how consciousness manifests as distinct and individual. My consciousness appears separate from yours, creating an insurmountable barrier. This notion proposes a unified consciousness experiencing reality, transcending the concept of time.
However, this idea is not without its complications. The narrative introduces a deity, implying the existence of other conscious beings, thus merely extending the dilemma. Just as ‘The Matrix’ serves as a metaphor for the illusory nature of reality, it can only remain a metaphor within the same framework. Similarly, if the God in the story is conscious, we still confront two separate conscious entities, merely expanding the issue.
The concept also feels somewhat solipsistic. While it appears to foster empathy by recognizing that another consciousness is you, it risks undermining the inherent quality of otherness that underpins genuine empathy. Love thrives not on sameness but on the recognition of differences. While the story offers valuable insights into consciousness, it does not seamlessly incorporate panpsychism into the fabric of reality.
The Quest for Understanding
These ideas emerge from a post-religious, materialist landscape. Nonduality, panpsychism, and materialism all strive to integrate consciousness into an individualistic framework, reflecting our desires about identity in the contemporary world. Nondual philosophies that deny the self are often championed by individuals seeking personal solutions to selfhood, promoting forms of optimization that foster happiness without the moral complexities associated with traditional religious beliefs.
However, certain observations about consciousness transcend theoretical constructs. One notable reflection comes from philosopher Thomas Nagel, who stated, “There are elements which, if added to one’s experience, make life better; there are others which make it worse. But what remains when these are set aside is not merely neutral: it is emphatically positive.” This suggests that consciousness has an inherent quality that brings joy to existence.
Another observation is encapsulated in Marilynne Robinson’s phrase “the givenness of things.” While consciousness is positive, it also possesses an element of contingency. Recognizing one's existence often entails acknowledging the absurdity of it, realizing that it might not have been. This existential dread mirrors the idea that consciousness is both a blessing and a given.
Religious perspectives we have largely set aside may still hold relevance to these reflections, suggesting a moral foundation to reality. The essence of goodness at the core of our being aligns with what Christian tradition refers to as the Imago Dei. Despite our advancements in understanding consciousness, both scientifically and philosophically, we may be further from grasping its nature than ever. As we refine our theories, we simultaneously highlight the vastness of our ignorance. As Saint Augustine wisely noted, “God is closer to us than we are to our inmost selves.” Perhaps this acknowledgment is our best approach.
Chapter 2: Further Reflections on Consciousness
The first video titled "What is consciousness?" explores various theories and insights on the nature of consciousness, delving into scientific and philosophical perspectives.
The second video, "Consciousness in humans and other things with Anil K Seth | The Royal Society," discusses the concept of consciousness across different entities, providing a comprehensive understanding of its implications.
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