How can we explain human consciousness with science?

[Rich2018]

Thinking is not synonymous with consciousness, I know plenty of people who are awake and aware of their surroundings yet I am sure they are not "thinking" about a damn thing.

Actually it is

I think you're confusing this with "original thought".

 

[Alizia Tyler]

This has been an argument for a long time. That you are the machine and not in the machine. But it doesn't answer what consciousness is. And only locates it by saying it is the body.

Here is a counter-argument to Chomsky's argument, or actually the counter-argument followed by a summation of the argument, also worth listening to.

 

[grip]

Consciousness could be the result of the brain's interaction with reality, namely quantum field energy thru sensory input. The larger and more sophisticated the brain with increased activity, the higher the level of self-awareness. But only when a brain is awake or dreaming and consciously interacting does awareness exist.

If this is true, then biological organisms might be an extension of the universal forces that drive the cosmos, which coalesce and evolve into high functioning entities.

 

[watsup]

Consciousness could be the result of the brain's interaction with reality, namely quantum field energy thru sensory input. The larger and more sophisticated the brain with increased activity, the higher the level of self-awareness. But only when a brain is awake or dreaming and consciously interacting does awareness exist.

If this is true, then biological organisms might be an extension of the universal forces that drive the cosmos, which coalesce and evolve into high functioning entities.

I've said it before. You are great at science fiction!

 

[Rich2018]

Consciousness could be the result of the brain's interaction with reality, namely quantum field energy thru sensory input. The larger and more sophisticated the brain with increased activity, the higher the level of self-awareness. But only when a brain is awake or dreaming and consciously interacting does awareness exist.

If this is true, then biological organisms might be an extension of the universal forces that drive the cosmos, which coalesce and evolve into high functioning entities.

Or it could not

Dreaming might just be the subconscious mind spinning memories and motivations/fears at "random.

 

[grip]

I've said it before. You are great at science fiction!

You have to expand beyond the known to scientifically progress. Know what you know but don't allow that to box you in a mental prison of limited knowledge.

Or it could not

Dreaming might just be the subconscious mind spinning memories and motivations/fears at "random.

I concede that conscious awareness turns inward during dreaming, creating a mindscape of imagined scenery. And though it's a result of physical reality, it's also dealing with a digital reality of reproduced images, emotions, and thoughts. Even the waking world is only a collection of electrical signals, from sensory input, processed by the brain. The mind turns this information into a definable series of objects and events that are comprehensible and beneficial for the survival and propagation of the species.

 

[watsup]

L

ou have to expand beyond the known to scientifically progress. Know what you know but don't allow that to box you in a mental prison of limited knowledge.

A mental box called "science". Yeah, that would be terrible.
So go ahead and continue to try to sell science fiction in this forum if that is what pleases you. Just don't expect many buyers.

 

[grip]

L

A mental box called "science". Yeah, that would be terrible.
So go ahead and continue to try to sell science fiction in this forum if that is what pleases you. Just don't expect many buyers.

Do you really believe that science doesn't utilize the imagination to theorize?

 

[devildavid]

Do you really believe that science doesn't utilize the imagination to theorize?

You are incorrectly using the word theorizing as it is pertains to science. Science may use imagination when it comes up with hypotheses, but a scientific theory is not dependent on imagination. It must be thoroughly and completely supported by observation, facts, and testing.

 

[grip]

You are incorrectly using the word theorizing as it is pertains to science. Science may use imagination when it comes up with hypotheses, but a scientific theory is not dependent on imagination. It must be thoroughly and completely supported by observation, facts, and testing.

That may be the difference between a theory and hypothesis, but the mental process a scientist undergoes during theorizing (to think of or suggest ideas about what is possibly true or real) definitely uses the imagination in a similar manner as to hypothesize. A theory is simply supported by valid data.

synonyms for theory: hypothesis, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption

synonyms for hypothesis: theory, theorem, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption, presupposition, notion, concept, idea, contention, opinion, view, belief

 

[watsup]

That may be the difference between a theory and hypothesis, but the mental process a scientist undergoes during theorizing (to think of or suggest ideas about what is possibly true or real) definitely uses the imagination in a similar manner as to hypothesize. A theory is simply supported by valid data.

synonyms for theory: hypothesis, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption

synonyms for hypothesis: theory, theorem, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption, presupposition, notion, concept, idea, contention, opinion, view, belief

“A theory is simply supported by valid data”.
Well, it’s really more than “simply”. Valid data is the absolute necessity for a theory. You don’t seem to realize that in all of your science fiction musings.

 

[devildavid]

That may be the difference between a theory and hypothesis, but the mental process a scientist undergoes during theorizing (to think of or suggest ideas about what is possibly true or real) definitely uses the imagination in a similar manner as to hypothesize. A theory is simply supported by valid data.

synonyms for theory: hypothesis, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption

synonyms for hypothesis: theory, theorem, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption, presupposition, notion, concept, idea, contention, opinion, view, belief

Scientists do not go through a mental process of theorizing. They start at the beginning. The word theory used differently in science. They don't just sit around thinking bout random things to theorize about. There is always a basis for what they pursue. They don't simply start by imagining things whether or not there is any scientific basis for them. The imagination part comes with seeing new solutions to old problems or new approaches to old scientific ideas. They don't just imagine any old thing.

 

[grip]

“A theory is simply supported by valid data”.
Well, it’s really more than “simply”. Valid data is the absolute necessity for a theory. You don’t seem to realize that in all of your science fiction musings.

Scientists do not go through a mental process of theorizing. They start at the beginning. The word theory used differently in science. They don't just sit around thinking bout random things to theorize about. There is always a basis for what they pursue. They don't simply start by imagining things whether or not there is any scientific basis for them. The imagination part comes with seeing new solutions to old problems or new approaches to old scientific ideas. They don't just imagine any old thing.

I stand corrected. A scientific theory is not the same as an informal theory. I assumed scientists advanced a hypothesis to a theory thru data and speculation. But apparently, they do not. Though many theories have been proven incorrect with more factual data.

 

[devildavid]

I stand corrected. A scientific theory is not the same as an informal theory. I assumed scientists advanced a hypothesis to a theory thru data and speculation. But apparently, they do not. Though many theories have been proven incorrect with more factual data.

Scientists do not start with informal theories.
Give examples of theories that were proven incorrect by more factual data.

 

[grip]

Scientists do not start with informal theories.
Give examples of theories that were proven incorrect by more factual data.

Newton's law of gravity was reformulated by Einstein's theory of relativity. BooYa!!!

 

[devildavid]

Newton's law of gravity was reformulated by Einstein's theory of relativity. BooYa!!!

Not exactly. They didn't throw out the baby with the bath water.

 

[grip]

Not exactly. They didn't throw out the baby with the bath water.

Granted that Newtonian physics is still used and taught, though revised by relativistic physics at higher velocities. But there is a growing list of superseded theories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superseded_theories_in_science