Consciousness: Dennett says it is an illusion (General)

by dhw, Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 10:32 (1850 days ago) @ David Turell

QUOTE: As a mathematical description of solar cells and digital circuits, quantum mechanics works just fine. But if one wants to apply the materialist position to a concept as subtle and profound as consciousness, something more must clearly be asked for.

DAVID: As I've noted before, we must understand quantum physics which is directly related to mind and consciousness. Materialism, alone, does not explain it. And I turn to God, who created this universe from quanta, and provided consciousness to be received.

dhw: I don’t understand your first comment.

DAVID: Quantum experiments with the mind playing a role in late choice.

dhw: Right. Nothing whatsoever to do with the source of consciousness.

DAVID: If God created the universe from a substrate of quantum mechanics, consciousness may have a quantum basis.

And according to the above quote (bolded) that means it has a MATERIAL basis, the exact opposite of your beliefs.

dhw: The article is all about the source of consciousness, not about how he might have created the universe. But even if that was the subject, it’s not much of an explanation if you tell us the universe was designed by a hidden designer whose nature is unknown to us, whose existence cannot be proved, and who has always been there and has no source.

DAVID: How do you explain a universe from nothing? What caused it? What is your First Cause?

I have told you over and over again! The alternative to your immaterial, sourceless, superconscious mind which has been there for ever and ever is a mindless universe of constantly changing matter and energy which has been there for ever and ever, creating an infinity of combinations, and maybe a big bang, and then the combination which eventually led to the beginnings of life and consciousness. No more and no less feasible than your own First Cause.