Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Iacchus · 07-08-2007, 02:13 PM

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Abstract

This paper presents a hypothesis for integrating into the scientific framework phenomena of consciousness which frequently have been considered beyond scientific description. Intuition, telepathy, clairvoyance and many similar information phenomena seem to be easily explained by means of the nonlocal quantum hologram. It is further postulated that from the point of view of evolution, quantum nonlocality is the basis from which self-organizing cosmological processes have produced the common phenomenon of perception in living organisms.

Tears In The Rain · 07-08-2007, 02:17 PM

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Originally Posted by Iacchus

From this page

Quote:

Abstract

This paper presents a hypothesis for integrating into the scientific framework phenomena of consciousness which frequently have been considered beyond scientific description. Intuition, telepathy, clairvoyance and many similar information phenomena seem to be easily explained by means of the nonlocal quantum hologram. It is further postulated that from the point of view of evolution, quantum nonlocality is the basis from which self-organizing cosmological processes have produced the common phenomenon of perception in living organisms.

We don't need explanations for things that haven't been demonstrated to exist.

Iacchus · 07-08-2007, 03:56 PM

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Originally Posted by Tears In The Rain

We don't need explanations for things that haven't been demonstrated to exist.

Including consciousness?

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1 Introduction

A host of observed, but very basic human phenomena, including consciousness itself, have eluded rigorous scientific description by all disciplines of science. This is true, not because of insufficient evidence for a particular phenomenon's existence, but rather for lack of a theoretical construct which could fit within the prevailing paradigms of science.

Simen · 07-08-2007, 06:34 PM

What, exactly, is it about consciousness that doesn't fit with current theories?

Yes, we don't have a full understanding of it, but what is it that suggests there can't be one based on current views on the universe?

premjan · 07-09-2007, 02:53 AM

I think the difficulty with consciousness is just explaining why it exists. If awareness is a quantum field property, that does offer an answer as to why we are conscious, what else we can expect to exhibit consciousness etc.

JohannGoodflag · 07-09-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by premjan

I think the difficulty with consciousness is just explaining why it exists. If awareness is a quantum field property, that does offer an answer as to why we are conscious, what else we can expect to exhibit consciousness etc.

Not unless you also have a detailed theory about what other objects will exhibit this quantum field property. Not to mention that you also have to get information on just what quantum field property you're looking for, and it's parameters. How similar is the phenomenon amoung humans? Does a similar phenomenon happen amoung animals, plants, crystals, tap water, table butter? If so, do we assume that everything down to table butter is 'aware', or do we rather suppose that the phenomenon is not actually correlated with consciousness?

We wouldn't get an explanation of why we are conscious, but rather a relatively simple physical phenomenon which correlates with consciousness: at best, an elaboration of how we are conscious. This would itself be a tremendous breakthrough --- but it wouldn't be an explanation of why we are conscious, any more than "because we are human" is an explanation for it.

premjan · 07-09-2007, 11:31 PM

How we are conscious is as well as we can expect to do. There is for instance no reductive explanation for why gravity exists, but only how it works. Presumably if it is a particular kind of quantum field phenomenon then perhaps evolution has just stumbled upon it in its construction of neurons. Maybe some animals have it and others don't. Maybe it can be recreated artificially.

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07-08-2007, 06:34 PM	#4
Simen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 2,382	What, exactly, is it about consciousness that doesn't fit with current theories? Yes, we don't have a full understanding of it, but what is it that suggests there can't be one based on current views on the universe?

07-09-2007, 02:53 AM	#5
premjan Obsessed Contributor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 61,538	I think the difficulty with consciousness is just explaining why it exists. If awareness is a quantum field property, that does offer an answer as to why we are conscious, what else we can expect to exhibit consciousness etc.

07-09-2007, 11:31 PM	#7
premjan Obsessed Contributor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 61,538	How we are conscious is as well as we can expect to do. There is for instance no reductive explanation for why gravity exists, but only how it works. Presumably if it is a particular kind of quantum field phenomenon then perhaps evolution has just stumbled upon it in its construction of neurons. Maybe some animals have it and others don't. Maybe it can be recreated artificially.

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