Consciousness; a radically new theory. ephemeral? (Introduction)

by dhw, Monday, July 13, 2015, 11:53 (3420 days ago) @ David Turell
edited by dhw, Monday, July 13, 2015, 13:58

dhw: The article David has quoted actually seems to oppose dualism, as it expresses Escola's hope that his models will help to explain "how the brain's biocircuitry lights up to generate sensations and thoughts". (My bold) A hope can hardly constitute evidence, however, and the fact remains that science can only examine the materials; until it can prove that the materials generate consciousness, and explain how, the issue of its source remains open.-DAVID: Your comment is greatly appreciated. I remain a dualist in the sense that Rupert Sheldrake presents in the video I have just placed here. That video leads to other videos of his theories about the true extent of the mind and consciousness beyond the brain, and there is a long interview in which he discusses NDE's with his own theories fitting right in, showing as long as one does not get stuck in strict materialism they must be reasonably investigated, not rejected as materialistically impossible.-Perhaps you could give us a reference. I found the “staring” video annoyingly superficial and repetitive, and gave up after two instalments.-dhw: NDEs are not the only possible “evidence” for dualism, as many other psychic experiences have provided information inaccessible under normal circumstances and later confirmed by third parties. These experiences are convincing, even if inexplicable, to those who have them, and to those who know and trust the people concerned, or who trust the writers of the reports (for instance, I trust our own BBella). For people who have already prejudged the issue, of whom Romansh is clearly one, such matters do not constitute evidence and are therefore not worth looking into. It goes without saying that I prefer to reserve judgement.-DAVID: You mimic Sheldrake.-I know far too little about his ideas to mimic him, but apart from the boring video, what I do know is certainly interesting.