Dualism (Identity)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 07:18 (3333 days ago) @ dhw

These conversations kind of make my head hurt because we start swinging all over the map, partly because no one really sets up any definitions and sticks with them throughout the conversation. -I do believe that consciousness is separate from the brain in one sense, but I also believe that it is dependent upon the brain. To use my old computer analogy, the hardware is one requirement, but without some form of external power and external user, the hardware is useless. Moreover, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The energy that makes the machinery work, the machinery, and the information contained within the machinery do not equal the experience and information that is generated from the machinery. Yet, without any of these components, along with a third party independent interpreter, all of the energy, hardware, and information are useless. -In another thread, we agreed that the machinery without energy is just a corpse. We also agreed that the machinery without information not only could not exist, but also could not function even if supplied with ample energy. NDE's, OBE's and other 6th sense type phenomena all attest that this analogy is good. So to recap:-


• All life is comprised of 4 components: Energy, Information, Mechanics, and Consciousness.

• Consciousness is greater than and separate from, but dependent upon, the preceding three fundamental elements.

• Removal of any of the three fundamental elements compromises the ability of Consciousness to function.

• The existence of any of the three fundamentals individually or taken together does not explain consciousness because while removing one of the three fundamental elements compromises consciousness, it has been shown to function in a short term limited capacity without them. 

• This model makes no assumptions about a universal consciousness because it would have to be, by necessity, independent of the physical form. 

• Science can not explain the spark of energy that produces life or kickstarts consciousness.

• Science can not explain what happens to that energy after death.


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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.