[MD] Consciousness (explained?)

[plattholden at gmail.com]

On 18 Aug 2009 at 16:37, Steve Peterson wrote:

> Hi Platt,
> 
> > Personally I view consciousness along the lines of  Ham's "value
> > sensibility" (without Ham's metaphysics) or, as I prefer, "aesthetic
> > sensibility." I also think of such sensibility as the ground of being
> > and creator of the world. Since we are part of that creation, we
> > have access to it by means of our brain and nervous system. Thus,
> > rather than consciousness stemming from either mind or matter, it
> > is both simultaneously,  like language is simultaneously means
> > (sounds or letters) and meanings.
> 
> 
> I sympathize with this view. If consciousness is "value sensibility"  
> we can also think of consciousness as what it is like to BE value.  
> And if everything is Quality, then consciousness goes all the way  
> down, then we don't need to ask when consciousness emerged. But I  
> hate to say such things because it sounds a lot like new-agey  
> nonsense. Oh well.
> 
> Best,
> Steve

Hey Steve,

I know what you mean by "new-agey nonsense" and share your concern
about it. I prefer to consider our views more in line with the weirdness of 
quantum physics which carries with it the validity of a high intellectual 
level value. When someone like physicist Erwin Schroedinger says, 
"Consciousness and the external world are one and the same thing," I'm 
inclined to believe him. My intuition tells me he is close to the fire of 
truth. 

Regards,
Platt