RE: Psychology Addict # 57 | Memories From The After Life.
You are viewing a single comment's thread:
Brave of you, dear Abigail, to explore this question. At its heart, the proposition that
the mind is a separate, independent entity that is interconnected with, but not produced by the brain
So many questions are raised by this discussion. Not just what happens after death, but, are the criteria for establishing death valid? What's really going on when a person is in a 'vegetative state', or 'brain dead'? Is there consciousness and we just don't understand it? Can't reach it? What are the implications for medical treatment, and organ transplantion?
Also, is consciousness an exclusively human trait? That will open a hornet's nest when it comes to the question of animal rights...raises issues of sentience, and suffering.
Wow, this is going to take hours of looking up the references--and still there will be at the end questions.
I don't know if science is equipped, or ever will be equipped to answer these questions. Oh, and as I'm writing, I think of AI. Can AI have consciousness?
You have really opened a topic here that has endless possibilities.
I am impressed, as always, by your research and balanced treatment.
Thank you for ending with the quote from Lao-tzu. Very nice place to rest my mind before going to sleep. Yes, it is bedtime and I think I will look up the Tao Te Ching instead of the other references tonight. That will bring me pleasant dreams.
Can't tell you how impressed I am by the quality of your thought. Always an experience.
With Respect, and Great Affection
Your New York friend,
AG
@agmoore ❤ 😊,
You do understand me. I first came across these (and many others) studies last April. I felt I had the following two options: 1) to put it to rest or, 2) to gather some courage and look into them. It is not easy to come across findings that shake and challenge the ideas that lay the foundations of one's work and beliefs. For my entire adult life I have followed the concept that, first and foremost, we are a product of our synaptic activities. Oh boy ... :)
This rigid thinking of mine makes it really difficult for me to grasp the notion that conscious awareness may be a separate, independent entity. How can that be? I must revisit the works of William James and Maurice Bucke. This time I must read them with more attention and respect.
The BrainEx study is very intriguing! No global electrical activity, no higher-order brain function. But yeah ... that is all ok if consciousness is a brain activity outcome. As for the questioning of animal conscious awareness. Well ... quoting one of the articles you directed me to :
It is disappointing that this is something still doubted nowadays! Please! As Darwin himself explained, the difference (in capacity and abilities) between us and non-human animals is in "degree, not in kind".
Thank you for sharing those links with me my dear 😊
As for AI. I don't even know where to start there. But that is because of my very limited understanding about it. Whenever the discussion of AI is brought up, what first springs in my thoughts is: sense of morality. But, bear with me: if, external consciousness exists in some sort of collective reservoir, as William James puts it, does all this indicate that all it needs to interact with beings is a system like that found in our brains?
Well, so can robots with systems whose capacity can capture and manifest it can be created? There are already mini brains being grown in labs... freaky right?
I have nothing but questions and more questions my dear friend! I am sorry for the much too long reply. I have a feeling I ended up rambling a little.
At least we have the Tao Te Ching ;)
Your body dies.
There is no danger.
Much love to you always!
Thank you so much my dear friend for your infinite support and encouragement!
You are a very special person :*
I was so ready for this discussion, my dear Abigail😇. Some time ago I thought of writing about consciousness, and began to research the topic. But I don't have your rich background, your fund of knowledge to draw on. So I put the research aside (not away...I'll be back to it). And then you wrote this. Ah...thank you.
Your perspective is more courageous than mine, because many people relegate NDE to the sphere of religion, and religion can take us down some strange paths. But you handle it so well. Your approach is reasonable and scientific, and yet it allows the possibility that science perhaps cannot provide (at least not yet) answers.
Darwin's quote is quite striking:
" the difference (in capacity and abilities) between us and non-human animals is in 'degree, not in kind'.
This goes to the heart of a wider issue than animal cognition. It entails, by logical implication, a discussion about human worth, also. Does extremely limited capacity...say, profound cognitive disability... suggest less worth? How do we measure the worth of a life?
Really complicated. Time for the Tao Te Ching...which was a wonderful companion last night.
Thank you for the positive influence 🌈 you have on my life, on my thought. You bring such value to this small space on the platform. It's amazing.
With great respect, great regard and affection 💛,
Your friend from across the sea,
AG
This has definitely made me smile @agmoore2 😃
I look forward to reading the outcome of your research. I am interested in your reflections and propositions about this most intriguing topic! :)
I wish you a wonderful weekend. Filled with tranquility and warmth.
Bye ye for now.
Lots of love to you always! :*