Immateriality of Consciousness (Humans)

by xeno6696 , Sonoran Desert, Sunday, October 17, 2010, 21:55 (4959 days ago)

Martin raises some extremely disturbing points in his discussion of consciousness in his book "Does it Matter?"-He cites neurological experiments where the standard electrical probe is used in an open brain surgery in order to facilitate specific responses, feelings, etc. from the patient. -I've cited an article before where a young lady intimated that she felt the actual presence of an "evil presence" in the room, behind her, and watching her. -However, in my own rush to damning consciousness as a material property...-All of the reported individuals in these experiments can tell that these impulses are not coming from them. In other words, they are conscious that their "reality" is being tampered with. This suggests several avenues of research one could conduct, but it is an extremely interesting observation. -Further, Martin discusses cases where people (like Phineas Gage) who suffered massive brain trauma... didn't lose consciousness itself. A weaker point for sure; but considering that people who have had half of their brains surgically removed--without any ill consequences--this stands as a large quandary for asserting a material-only explanation for consciousness.-To be a bit more clear--these people have not lost the ability to be aware that they are aware; true, they might lose some memories or might lose some "bits" of themselves, but the intriguing fact remains that they are still wholly--not partially--conscious. This makes a material case more difficult to prove.

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\"Why is it, Master, that ascetics fight with ascetics?\"

\"It is, brahmin, because of attachment to views, adherence to views, fixation on views, addiction to views, obsession with views, holding firmly to views that ascetics fight with ascetics.\"