Is consciousness physical or nonphysical?

[outhouse]

Then you have no epistemic justification for asserting that consciousness is physical

Actually the only evidence that exist is for consciousness existing only in the brain.

There is no evidence of any aspect existing outside the brain.

 

[Bunyip]

Abstractions are not physical. So, how exactly are you employing these "linguistic devices" if they do not exist?

What? Why would a linguistic device need to be physical? That's just silly.

 

[Deidre]

We shouldn't redefine consciousness though in order to quantify it, and place it in the physical realm. Science doesn't know everything, and it's ok to admit that when it comes to consciousness.

 

[Gambit]

mind is metaphysical.

Metaphysical in the literal meaning of the word? That it is "beyond the physical?"

 

[Gambit]

It depends. If you mean "consciousness" as in the opposite of being unconscious or "knocked out," then I'd say it's physical (neurological). If referring to one's conscience or moral compass, then not physical.

This still requires some type of interaction dualism.

 

[Gambit]

Consciousness enters the brain, and energizes it. It's like plugging something into a wall socket to make it work.

Just curious. Can we measure this "energy?"

 

[Gambit]

Whatever polls may say, it doesn't move us any closer to a resolving the question. But such a answer must begin with another question: what function was consciousness intended to play within the human condition?

That's not the question I posed in the OP.

 

[Gambit]

We are spiritual entities. As such, we are pure consciousness. But we (our consciousness) is isolated from the spirit and we reside in our brains. By doing so, we feel the hold on the body through muscle tension. This is the only thing that actually creates the 'physical'. And also by doing this we lose ~99% of our actual conscious awareness.

What is the only thing that actually creates the 'physical'?

 

[Runewolf1973]

We shouldn't redefine consciousness though in order to quantify it, and place it in the physical realm. Science doesn't know everything, and it's ok to admit that when it comes to consciousness.

I like the idea of redefining consciousness actually. I think it would elliminate a lot of confusion and metaphysical mumbo jumbo associated with the word.

My definition of consciousness would go something like this: The cumulative effect of multiple complex physical interactions within the brain.

 

[Gambit]

I suppose it's what wakes us up ?

Sleep re-energizes us.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Martin Pistorius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Read somewhere, Martin Pistorius case was a fraud. Did I link to that?

 

[Gambit]

I am pretty sure you are able to "detect" your own thoughts and emotions when those properties arise.

Physical properties are objective, not subjective. That's the difference between a physical property and a mental property. That's why physics is not the same as psychology.

 

[Gambit]

Mind is spacious and illusion like, but able to be felt. I vote both.

Spacious?

 

[Gambit]

Consciousness deals with awareness. How do we become aware? Through our senses which is then processed in the brain. Consciousness is definitely a product of the physical world.

Sensory perception is not the only type of perception.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Metaphysical in the literal meaning of the word? That it is "beyond the physical?"

Is there a difference between physical and non-physical (energy/mass)? And is there a difference between existence and non-existence (virtual particles)? I do not think science has answered that.

 

[Gambit]

We can.

Answers to questions can be seen in the brain, before the test subject even knows the answer.

I suspect you are referring to Libet's experiments which are often cited by skeptics to discredit free will. However they do not involve the measurement of consciousness itself. If we could measure consciousness, then we should be able to tell me whether a bacterium is conscious.

 

[shawn001]

Just curious. Can we measure this "energy?"

The body creates energy. The Brain creates consciousness.

Brain Rhythms: Functional Brain Networks Mediated by Oscillatory Neural Coupling

Neural Oscillation



The Father Of Cognitive Neuroscience Shares His Conclusions

Everything begins and ends with the brain. Mike Gazzaniga shares his thoughts on our mental life.

Breaking Down Cognitive Neuroscience | Through the Wormhole | Discovery Science

 

[Gambit]

I will visit your topic 'Ishwara Pranidhana' (contemplation of God/Supreme Being/True Self, since I am an atheist).

Perhaps I should change my signature to "theoria."

 

[Gambit]

While the base of "I" is a brain and complexed neurochemical reaction, "I" am an abstract awareness that is biologically unnecessary for biological functioning. "I" am also very curious as to how I "really" even got here in the first place. Curious thing, how did I become "me" and not someone else? Or why wasn't "I" born in the past? In the future?

I think you have something there. But you need to work out some of the finer details.

 

[Gambit]

Electrical energy measured by EEG .

I see. So, all electrical energy is conscious?