[MD] Consciousness (explained?)

[Joseph Maurer]

On 8/20/09 9:33 AM, "Ham Priday" <hampday1 at verizon.net> wrote:

[Ham]
Human consciousness simply doesn't have the capacity for unconditional
awareness.  The human being is a separate organic entity with a psyche or
mind of its own.  We exist as finite integers of what Essence is absolutely,
value being our only connection with the undifferentiated Source.
Everything we see or feel is a self-constructed representation of this
value.  We can temporarily "lose ourselves" in the rapture of an exquisite
piece of music or work of art (thus identifying ourselves with the source of
value), but we can't "BE that value" any more than we can BE Essence.
 
[Ham]
As the appreciative "agents of value" we must be detached from the Source so
that we are free to assess its value autonomously.  That, in my opinion, is
man's role in existence.   It's not easy to articulate this ontology in
logical terms.  But it has stuck with me for half a century and, frankly, I
don't see how reality can be conceived in any other way.
 
Hi Ham and All,

[Joe]
Imho since Consciousness is undefined at any level, I don¹t know why you
negate ³unconditional awareness?²  The danger of the acceptance of the
mind/body metaphysical explanation is an inability to respond to questions
about the identity of an individual.  Your statement: ³We exist as finite
integers of what Essence is absolutely² is a contradiction to your previous
statement about a ³capacity for unconditional awareness.²

[Joe]
A belief system in a metaphysical discussion can be appropriate, but it is
not probative.   Ham, I do not recognize the validity of your logic: ³As the
appreciative agents of value we must be detached from the Source so that we
are free to assess its value autonomously.²  When you can¹t articulate an
ontology in logical terms for an amateur listener why do you try?  I realize
how important this is for you.  For myself, struggling as hard as you, I try
to value an evolutionary approach so that maybe I can realize something.

Joe


> Human consciousness simply doesn't have the capacity for unconditional
> awareness.  The human being is a separate organic entity with a psyche or
> mind of its own.  We exist as finite integers of what Essence is absolutely,
> value being our only connection with the undifferentiated Source.
> Everything we see or feel is a self-constructed representation of this
> value.  We can temporarily "lose ourselves" in the rapture of an exquisite
> piece of music or work of art (thus identifying ourselves with the source of
> value), but we can't "BE that value" any more than we can BE Essence.
> 
> As the appreciative "agents of value" we must be detached from the Source so
> that we are free to assess its value autonomously.  That, in my opinion, is
> man's role in existence.   It's not easy to articulate this ontology in
> logical terms.  But it has stuck with me for half a century and, frankly, I
> don't see how reality can be conceived in any other way.