Consciousness: not explained by panpsychism (General)

by dhw, Monday, November 20, 2017, 14:02 (2558 days ago) @ David Turell

dhw: If he thinks consciousness is an illusion, then of course panpsychism is a non-starter. And I agree with him completely when he says his view is every bit as strange as panpsychism. Many panpsychists are theists, but there is no need for a God if one takes the view that all matter already contains some rudimentary form of consciousness. Then it would be a matter of that rudimentary consciousness evolving step by step as matter begins to organize itself into living forms, which themselves become increasingly conscious. Yes indeed, it is an idea that is every bit as strange as no consciousness at all, or as chance engendering consciousness, or as a conscious mind that never had a source at all and was capable of creating a universe. Once again, it’s enough to drive a person to agnosticism.

DAVID: He has no answer for consciousness so he decides it is an illusion. That is simply throwing out the baby with the bath water. My brain allows me, and all of us, to experience consciousness. After that we are all stuck with the 'hard problem'. I believe the entire universe is conscious and it is God's.

I agree with your criticism of the article. With regard to belief, as I made clear above, I have as much difficulty imagining conscious chemicals and rocks as I have imagining a conscious, universal being that creates them, so you are right: I am stuck with the ‘hard problem’!