Space, Time and Consciousness
JR Smythies
Quote:This paper describes a new theory of consciousness based on previous work by C.D. Broad, H.H. Price, Andrei Linde and others. This hypothesis states that the Universe consists of three fundamental entities — space-time, matter and consciousness, each with their own degrees of freedom. The paper pays particular attention to three areas that impact on this theory: (1) the demonstration by neuroscience and psychophysics that we do not perceive the world as it actually is but as the brain computes it most probably to be; (2) the need to delineate between phenomenal space-time and physical space-time. Recent theories in physics that suggest that the Universe has more than three spatial dimensions are relevant here; (3) the role of consciousness in the block Universe described by Special Relativity. The integration of these topics suggests a new physical theory of the nature of consciousness.
Quote:The theoretical physicist Andrei Linde (1990) has suggested that the world consists of three different fundamental constituents — space-time, matter and consciousness, with their own degrees of freedom. My aim in this paper is to explore this hypothesis further. My exposition will be presented in three sections.
-The role of the brain and consciousness in perception following the demonstration by recent experiments in neuroscience and psychophysics that we do not perceive the world as it actually is but as the brain computes it most probably to be, These findings refute the philosophical theory of perception known as Direct Realism (Smythies, 1994b; Smythies and Ramachandran, 1998). This has important consequences for any theory of consciousness.
-The need to delineate clearly between phenomenal space-time and physical space-time. This will entail a consideration of recent theories in physics (such as Kaluza-Klein, superstring and brane theories) that suggest that space has more than three dimensions.
-A consideration of the role allotted to consciousness in the block Universe of Special Relativity.
'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
Conspectus of JR Smythies
P. Sjostedt-Hughes
Quote:John Raymond Smythies (b. 1922) is neuroscientist and philosopher of mind, coursin to Richard Dawkins and Graham Greene. The following is a summary of his ideas of phenomenal space - the space of one's imagination, dreams, psychedelic experiences, somatic sensations, visions, hypnagogia, etc. - and its relation to physical space.
'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
Brain and Consciousness: The Ghost in the Machines
Smythies
Quote:Abstract—This paper reviews four current theories of brain-consciousness relations—classical Cartesian Dualism, the Identity Theory, Eliminative Materialism, and a new form of Substance Dualism that includes a modified form of the Cartesian theory. This entails a critical examination of our basic concepts of what consciousness is, of the nature of the body image, and the relation of phenomenal space to physical space.
This investigation reaches the same result as that attained recently by the physicist Bernard Carr (2008)—that what is needed is a paradigm shift in our basic concepts of the geometry of the Universe. In order to understand phenomenal consciousness we need to replace the present
four-dimensional model with a higher-dimensional structure, in which a phenomenal space (with its contents) and physical space (with its contents) are different cross-sections (branes) of a higher-dimensional space (the bulk).
Keywords: brain—consciousness—mechanisms—substance dualism
'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
Does anyone care to dumb all that down for me a little bit so I can understand what is attempting to be said?
(2022-07-18, 02:13 AM)Bill37 Wrote: Does anyone care to dumb all that down for me a little bit so I can understand what is attempting to be said?
Two realities, one that is the physical world and one that is something more akin to a dreamlike mental world of sensations.
Their intersection is where we exist.
At least that's what I've gotten out of it all...
'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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