[MD] What is SOM?

[Ham Priday]

Arlo --

 [Ham, peviously]:
> I've acknowledged that, from the existential or causal perspective, Home 
> sapiens evolved from more primitive creatures as per Darwin's theory of 
> natural selection.

[Arlo]:
> Did these more primitive creatures (lets say the apes from which we 
> evolved way back in prehistory) possess consciousness? If not, would you 
> posit that "consciousness" is the result of a genetic mutation of some 
> sort? To be more precise, where in the evolutionary tree of "man" did 
> consciousness first appear, and to what to you ascribe the appearance of 
> "consciousness" to (it sounds genetic, but I'll wait to hear your answer)?

I don't know what what "sounds genetic" about consciousness.  Genetic 
mutations, nerve synapses, and brain structures takes such forms as are 
necessary to accommodate the thought process.  These organic developments 
are secondary to Consciousness which is the faculty or sense of 'knowing' 
that defines every subject's being-aware.  Consciousness is not an existent 
like a physical body, table, or tree.  It is not found in the frontal lobes, 
the cerebellum, or any part of the brain because it is not an object.   It 
is localized only by inference to the biological organism from which come 
words, gestures, and expression of thought.  But the physical body is only 
the 'being" part of being-aware.

Yes, I believe all living creatures possess some form of sensibility, and I 
do not exclude the possibilty of self-awarenss in cerebrates other than man. 
However, man is unique in his capacity to discriminate aesthetic, moral, and 
utilitarian values, such as are evident in his creativity, morality, 
aesthetic appreciation, scientific progress, and intellectual contributions. 
I'm not really concerned with the origin of man as a species, or the 
particular era in anthropological history when intellection was first 
exhibited.  That's the kind of specious information we expect from 
scientists and historians.

More significant to the philosopher is that we are the 'valuistic' creature, 
and the world we create represents those values which are important or vital 
to us.  Thus, until we realize that value-sensibility is our essence, that 
human life is sacred, and that what we value determines what we are as 
existents, we shall never have a moral world.  IMO that's what philosophy is 
all about.

Regards,
Ham

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