Where does consciousness come from? Most people have been taught that consciousness only originates in small lumps of grey matter, such as the brains of humans and possibly other higher species, while the rest of the universe is devoid of this quality. But how can some forms of matter possess consciousness while others do not? After all, our brains are composed of the same atoms and molecules as the rest of the universe. More and more philosophers are approaching the theory of panpsychism, which claims that all matter has some form of consciousness or mind.
The British biologist Rupert Sheldrake has long proposed similar ideas. In his book A new Science of Life (1981), he introduced his well-known theory of morphic resonance, which suggests that all self-regulating systems in nature, such as cells, plants, and animals, inherit a form of collective memory called the morphic field. Patterns of behavior and organization are influenced by similar past forms and experiences, creating a non-local transfer of information and memory across time and space, known as morphic resonance. In his bestselling book "The Science Delusion" (2012), Sheldrake addresses similar topics in the chapters "Is Nature Mechanical?" and "Is Matter Unconscious?Β»
In 2021, he published a paper in the Journal of Consciousness Studies titled "Is the Sun Conscious?" Sheldrake admits that even asking such a question seems utterly ignorant, even childish. However, he draws on numerous sources from different fields of science to support his ideas. He argues that it is certainly possible that self-organizing systems at all levels of complexity, including stars and galaxies, might have experience, awareness, or consciousness.
But how can some forms of matter possess consciousness while others do not? After all, our brains are composed of the same atoms and molecules as the rest of the universe.
But seriously, have you got any thoughts on how consciousness arises from/in unconscious matter? I think people would be interested in that no matter their stance on panpsychism. Itβs not called the Hard Problem for nothing.
Hereβs another lecture on the idea and the accompanying description:
That's not how that works
Lol
But seriously, have you got any thoughts on how consciousness arises from/in unconscious matter? I think people would be interested in that no matter their stance on panpsychism. Itβs not called the Hard Problem for nothing.
H2O and OH- have the same atoms, but are completely different. That's not how atoms and molecules work.
Where π does π consciousness π come π from π then π genius π