Smilin

A simple question for all to ponder..

I'm interested in what everyone thinks regarding the human phenomenon simply referred to as 'consciousness'.

Whether your religous or not.. what does it mean to you?
What defines it? How did it originate? Is it something special or just mere chance?

Let me know what you think.

The Other Michael

This looks to be more of a Science and Scepticism topic, or possibly Evolution (and Creationism), but I'm going to move it to the former and see how it flies.

cheers,
Michael
MF&P Moderator, First Class

Magus55

Consciousness is a state of awareness where you can comprehend and interact with your surroundings. Now conscience is a another story.

Paul2

being aware of your awareness. Just a slightly more advanced brain. that's it imho.

dk

I would argue...

Awareness is a state of consciousness where you can comprehend and interact with your surroundings.

hehehe

doghouse

From a neurologic standpoint, consciousness entails two components: wakefulness and awareness of self and environment. In other words, consciousness requires arousal and content.

The absence of arousal precludes awareness – if you’re not awake, you’re not aware. But arousal alone is not sufficient for awareness. The best example is the vegetative state, where a person is awake but not aware of themselves or their environment.

sweep

I have been wondering lately if it is possible to be a fly? Feasibly, your current constitution could have taken many forms given the right treatment. Thereby, one could become a dog, like me, or perhaps something closer such as an ape.

Even as humans, who is to say that we all have the same awareness.. we all notice different things. Does a newborn human have less consciousness than you or I. If so, what is the difference? Abstract thought perhaps? Feedback between the motor neurons in our senses and the cortical structures deep in our brains. How would a lack of sensory tools affect us prior to, and after experience?

Further, imagine that you contracted alzheimers or, even worse, you were infected with the ebola virus, which eats up your brain. yet leaves the body living. Clearly it is not enough to be alive, in order to be conscious.

doghouse

Of course not.

One word: sleep.

dk

Hey doghouse,

If I can remember my dream then I'm certainly aware of it, and if reflect upon my dream I am certainly conscious of it. What does it mean?

dk

Formally, consciousness defines a controlled thought, and awarenses is passive, or an experienced thought. I drive to work every day and seem to arrive without being conscious of the drive unless something wierd happens. But since I get there, I have to assume I was aware of the drive.