Consciousness and Its Purpose: Difference between revisions
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Having detailed [https://asimpleclick.org/index.php/Logical_Foundation in the previous section] the logical foundation for our reasoning where we not only realized the importance of thinking in probabilities but also assumed that we exist and are subjected to consistent patterns, it becomes imperative to continue our exploration by properly defining what do we exactly mean by existence. In other words, what are we? What is this feeling, this experience of being alive as we look out on the world and perceive it from our own center stage? | Having detailed [https://asimpleclick.org/index.php/Logical_Foundation in the previous section] the logical foundation for our reasoning where we not only realized the importance of thinking in probabilities but also assumed that we exist and are subjected to consistent patterns, it becomes imperative to continue our exploration by properly defining what do we exactly mean by existence. In other words, what are we? What is this feeling, this experience of being alive as we look out on the world and perceive it from our own center stage? | ||
Scientists tend to describe this feeling as consciousness or experience, but naming it is perhaps the easiest part. Science has | Scientists tend to describe this feeling as consciousness or experience, but naming it is perhaps the easiest part. Science has done great progress in teasing out the relationship of detailed neural activity to states of consciousness but there are still many unresolved questions around what is frequently called the hard problem of consciousness, which essentially seeks to explain how does a conscious experience emerge out of the inner workings of a physical brain. | ||
Over the years, there have been many theories, some of which have since been debunked with modern understandings of neuroscience, others that are considered too far-fetched and exotic to be of merit without hard evidence. But there is one general school of thought that most scientists consider to be probable. | Over the years, there have been many theories, some of which have since been debunked with modern understandings of neuroscience, others that are considered too far-fetched and exotic to be of merit without hard evidence. But there is one general school of thought that most scientists consider to be probable. | ||
Revision as of 10:52, 29 April 2024
What are we?
Having detailed in the previous section the logical foundation for our reasoning where we not only realized the importance of thinking in probabilities but also assumed that we exist and are subjected to consistent patterns, it becomes imperative to continue our exploration by properly defining what do we exactly mean by existence. In other words, what are we? What is this feeling, this experience of being alive as we look out on the world and perceive it from our own center stage?
Scientists tend to describe this feeling as consciousness or experience, but naming it is perhaps the easiest part. Science has done great progress in teasing out the relationship of detailed neural activity to states of consciousness but there are still many unresolved questions around what is frequently called the hard problem of consciousness, which essentially seeks to explain how does a conscious experience emerge out of the inner workings of a physical brain.
Over the years, there have been many theories, some of which have since been debunked with modern understandings of neuroscience, others that are considered too far-fetched and exotic to be of merit without hard evidence. But there is one general school of thought that most scientists consider to be probable.
No center
The human brain is by far the most sophisticated phenomenon we have thus far been able to observe in the universe. Inside this mysterious structure, roughly 84 billion neurons fire in synchrony with each other to produce a myriad of incredibly complex functions such as movement, language, creativity, and emotions.
Evolutionary tool
It can be quite fascinating to realize that consciousness is merely a biological property that emerges out of the synchronized activity of billions of neurons. But even more fascinating are the questions that this observation tends to lead to. Why were physical neurochemical processes ever accompanied by an experience? Why haven't humans remained conscious but not self-aware? Why did consciousness come along, for what purpose?
Purpose
Understanding the reason why a conscious experience eventually emerged throughout evolution already gives us a much better appreciation of what our purpose ultimately is. We cannot disconnect it from the past. There is a clear line to be drawn from stardust evolving to us and we need to follow up on that to understand our design. It explains why we are here and is wired into every single cell.