Oh, sorry, I was referring to my previous comment listing my concerns. Some physicalists in the comment section claimed that consciousness is an electrical phenomenon of the brain because some experiments have been done that 'show electromagnetic fields can influence memories, personality and morality' or something like that. Someone did reply saying that still doesn't address the hard problem or what consciousness actually is but I'm unsure.
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(2020-06-15, 10:01 PM)OmniVersalNexus Wrote: Oh, sorry, I was referring to my previous comment listing my concerns. Some physicalists in the comment section claimed that consciousness is an electrical phenomenon of the brain because some experiments have been done that 'show electromagnetic fields can influence memories, personality and morality' or something like that. Someone did reply saying that still doesn't address the hard problem or what consciousness actually is but I'm unsure. Honestly while the Hard Problem *could* be the foundations of an argument for the afterlife, it doesn't on its own proof life after death. Similarly, everything *could* be "physical" (whatever that means) and you could still have an afterlife. For example Johnjoe McFadden, who is one of the premier people talking about an endogenous field in the skull, thinks it is possible that there could be life after death since he thinks information is not destroyed.
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'
- Bertrand Russell (2020-06-15, 09:49 PM)OmniVersalNexus Wrote: I had noticed Kamarling that you may have felt unhappy here earlier and that your input is unappreciated and ignored. Well, I for one value your opinions greatly as they have brought great consolation and comfort to so many people, including me. As have other members of this forum. Your input is valued and you should not be mistreated for it. This is the most unique and refreshing forum many I'm sure have seen, so I want to ensure that applies to the treatment of respectable persons here. Thanks for the kind words. I'm actually regretting my response to the criticism because it may seem like a bit of a hissy fit - I leave, come back and start threatening to leave again. Actually I didn't leave due to criticism but for many unrelated reasons, that not being one. Once again you raise a similarity to myself. The reason I am interested in these subjects is down to my own death anxiety issues. I can't say that I'm overcoming it at all but there's no escaping the fact that I'm getting close to my 3 score years and ten and the curtain may come down at any moment. Some would accuse me of wishful thinking or confirmation bias when I advocate for evidence for the afterlife but, as you will know, nothing but the best evidence will satisfy someone who hopes to be convinced that there is indeed an afterlife. I don't watch popular Ghost Hunter type TV shows or go to mediums. I look for properly conducted research and complimentary philosophy. Yet there is no certainty and there will always be doubt. That is the curse of death anxiety.
I do not make any clear distinction between mind and God. God is what mind becomes when it has passed beyond the scale of our comprehension.
(This post was last modified: 2020-06-15, 10:07 PM by Kamarling.)
Freeman Dyson
Well Kamarling, I hope that if it ever gets too much, you can find the help you need as I have. I'm not very old myself, in fact I might be the youngest active member on this forum, but I will still be there to help. There's always people here to talk to in public or private. We're in this together
(This post was last modified: 2020-06-15, 10:14 PM by OmniVersalNexus.)
(2020-06-15, 09:58 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: Huh? This seems to come out of nowhere? I remember one in particular - Canadian researcher Michael Persinger's so-called "God helmet", where according to his claims he supposedly was able to stimulate low-level NDEs and other psi experiences via weak transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain. This was ultimately discredited and sunk without a trace. (2020-06-15, 10:06 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: Honestly while the Hard Problem *could* be the foundations of an argument for the afterlife, it doesn't on its own proof life after death.I understand that. But do these experiments contradict the other kinds of research and evidence we have on here? I can feel that a connection could be made here with the filter theory but I'm not sure... Then there's the insistance of feedback loops in the brain being involved. To what extent can these accomodate for things like terminal lucidity, spontaneous savant syndrome and impossibly complex consciousness? I'm probably the dumbest person here so I probably sound like an annoying broken record. Apologies in advance, but I'm just trying to work my head around this. (2020-06-15, 10:26 PM)nbtruthman Wrote: I remember one in particular - Canadian researcher Michael Persinger's so-called "God helmet", where according to his claims he supposedly was able to stimulate low-level NDEs and other psi experiences via weak transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain. This was ultimately discredited and sunk without a trace. Was it discredited? Persinger did believe in telepathy IIRC....
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'
- Bertrand Russell
I do recall briefly learning about the God Helmet in one of my RE classes. I'm sure it was mentioned that the helmet's effects varied and were inconsistent...
(2020-06-15, 10:28 PM)OmniVersalNexus Wrote: I understand that. But do these experiments contradict the other kinds of research and evidence we have on here? I can feel that a connection could be made here with the filter theory but I'm not sure... Feedback loops don't really clarify, IMO, what you think invalidates this "other kinds of research and evidence"? The NDE section of the forum digs into a lot of this debate, perhaps someone has posted something addressing these concerns there?
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'
- Bertrand Russell (2020-06-15, 10:06 PM)Kamarling Wrote: don't watch popular Ghost Hunter type TV shows or go to mediums. The TV shows I understand as nothing but fluff but curious why you wouldn't seek out mediums? I've been - before all this Covid 19 stuff - looking to visit more and more mediums who I could at least verify as having a good reputation.
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'
- Bertrand Russell |
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