2021-11-14, 10:00 PM
An Experiment For Consciousness? Scientists And Philosophers Across Three Countries Debate It
Andrea Morris
Andrea Morris
Quote:Carlson admits he’s not caught up on the growing body of evidence that organisms without neurons (like plants and slime molds) are capable of memory, thinking, problem-solving and learning — or that it’s getting harder for researchers to explain away these behaviors as purely nonconscious and mechanical. Consciousness in brainless organisms undermines the claim that consciousness is an action of the brain. While the brain is undoubtedly involved in human and animal consciousness, if beings without brains can be conscious, then what consciousness is must have another explanation.
“I don't know how you test for [Strong Emergence]. I don't think consciousness is in essence, an emergent property, which means that it emerges at a higher level of complexity,” says Stuart Hameroff, anesthesiologist and professor at University of Arizona. “Actually, I think it's a basic fundamental property of the universe. Every time there's a collapse, there's a little blip of experience.” ...
Quote:Another critical test in proving Orch OR is the actual manipulation of consciousness, turning consciousness on and off through anesthesia.
“General anesthesia basically affects consciousness and very little else in the body,” says Hameroff, who points out that the brain is still active under anesthesia even though you are not conscious. Anesthesia seems to target consciousness. And anesthetic gases work by a quantum interaction. “We have shown quantum effects in microtubules and are attempting to prove their relevance to consciousness by testing for sensitivity to anesthetics proportional to anesthetic potency,” says Hameroff. “We should know within a year.”