Does Something Other Than Matter Exist?

[blü 2]

It doesn't seem you grasp the view Advaita Vedanta (nondual Hinduism) is describing.

Consciosuness/Brahman alone is real and fundamental. The universe is then a play/drama of Consciousness to experience.

Nothing there said anything about humans or any form of life as more than characters in the play.

During anesthesia Consciousness loses its connection to the physical body and experiences at a level beyond the mind and hence no mental experience.

Yes, that's the difference between us.

In your view consciousness is independent of humans, independent of life.

In my view, consciousness is a biological phenomenon that is found in certain living creatures.

 

[Jimmy]

I am not a neuroscientist however i believe that they believe that the cerebral cortex of the brain is the “seat of consciousness,”

The brain is matter, the neurons, the thinking part of that matter, activated by electricity gives rise to consciousness.

I think infinite space (god) plays the biggest roll in consciousness.

 

[ChristineM]

I think infinite space (god) plays the biggest roll in consciousness.

Once again, you are welcome to your beliefs

 

[Jimmy]

Once again, you are welcome to your beliefs

I know as you’ve made clear a million times.

 

[ChristineM]

I know as you’ve made clear a million times.

You want me to stop?

 

[George-ananda]

Yes, that's the difference between us.

In your view consciousness is independent of humans, independent of life.

In my view, consciousness is a biological phenomenon that is found in certain living creatures.

My problem with your view would be that a lot of paranormal phenomena and Afterlife Evidence and veridical NDEs and etcetera that just seem impossible in your view. There being something beyond biology is the only rational conclusion I can come too.

So, I am only open to views (like Advaita Vedanta) that are open to these possibilities.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

My problem with your view would be that a lot of paranormal phenomena and Afterlife Evidence and veridical NDEs and etcetera that just seem impossible in your view. There being something beyond biology is the only rational conclusion I can come too.

George, your openness to paranormal phenomena is one of the reasons I continue to share my lifetime of experience with them on the forum.

 

[blü 2]

My problem with your view would be that a lot of paranormal phenomena and Afterlife Evidence and veridical NDEs and etcetera that just seem impossible in your view.

Exactly so. I've never seen unambiguous evidence for any paranormal phenomena, and I'm reminded how the late James Randi's offer for a demonstration of ESP under controlled conditions, in the end stood at $1m, and was never claimed.

And the thing about OoBEs and NDEs is the inability of the subjects to return with new remote information about reality.

There being something beyond biology is the only rational conclusion I can come too.

So, I am only open to views (like Advaita Vedanta) that are open to these possibilities.

And so we agree to differ.

 

[Whateverist]

But matter would then not be fundamental.

Correct. Or they could both be ontological primitives.

 

[Whateverist]

I am not a neuroscientist however i believe that they believe that the cerebral cortex of the brain is the “seat of consciousness,”

While the brain is hugely important for consciousness it isn’t obvious whether it emits or filters it. Without a brain we have no seat at the table but that is true in either case.

 

[George-ananda]

Exactly so. I've never seen unambiguous evidence for any paranormal phenomena, and I'm reminded how the late James Randi's offer for a demonstration of ESP under controlled conditions, in the end stood at $1m, and was never claimed.

And the thing about OoBEs and NDEs is the inability of the subjects to return with new remote information about reality.

And so we agree to differ.

I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt just by the quantity, quality and consistency of even the anecdotal data that an understanding of consciousness as merely a biological creation is not possible.

 

[Willamena]

Depends on what you mean by "exist."

 

[Jimmy]

Depends on what you mean by "exist."

I didn’t know there was multiple meanings

 

[Willamena]

I didn’t know there was multiple meanings

A lot of folks don't.

Existence (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

One easy way of grasping it is in idea. We can say something exists, but we also specify when it comes to something "existing only in idea." If you insist that something that exists is only apart from the idea of it, then you're indulging materialism. If the idea of it doesn't differ from the existence of it, then you're an idealist.

 

[Whateverist]

I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt just by the quantity, quality and consistency of even the anecdotal data that an understanding of consciousness as merely a biological creation is not possible.

I agree with you but I don't think there is evidence sufficient to convince every fair minded person. Many will simply have mental maps which won't permit them to see it.

 

[Whateverist]

I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt just by the quantity, quality and consistency of even the anecdotal data that an understanding of consciousness as merely a biological creation is not possible.

I agree with you but I don't think there is evidence sufficient to convince every fair minded person. Many will simply have mental maps which won't permit them to see it.

 

[Jimmy]

A lot of folks don't.

Existence (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

One easy way of grasping it is in idea. We can say something exists, but we also specify when it comes to something "existing only in idea." If you insist that something that exists is only apart from the idea of it, then you're indulging materialism. If the idea of it doesn't differ from the existence of it, then you're an idealist.

I mean material

 

[Willamena]

I mean material

Idealist is a multiple.

 

[Jimmy]

Depends on what you mean by "exist."

I mean material not idealist

 

[Willamena]

I mean material not idealist

*big hug*

I mean idealist, not materialist.