Whose Mind?

[Mentat]

Most of us here are familiar with the Lifegazer's Mind idea, so I wont go into any real explanation - unless it becomes necessary; in which case, I think Lifegazer would do a better job than I would anyway.

Lifegazer has said that all minds are products of the Mind (or of God; the terms are rather interchangeable, according to Lifegazer's concept), and it is this statement/postulate that I wish to examine.

You see, I think there is an inconsistency in saying that all minds (thus refering to more than one mind) are the product of the one Mind. I just want an explanation as to how this could possibly be consistent - without becoming pure Solipsism, that is.

[wuliheron]

Originally posted by Mentat
Most of us here are familiar with the Lifegazer's Mind idea, so I wont go into any real explanation - unless it becomes necessary; in which case, I think Lifegazer would do a better job than I would anyway.

Lifegazer has said that all minds are products of the Mind (or of God; the terms are rather interchangeable, according to Lifegazer's concept), and it is this statement/postulate that I wish to examine.

You see, I think there is an inconsistency in saying that all minds (thus refering to more than one mind) are the product of the one Mind. I just want an explanation as to how this could possibly be consistent - without becoming pure Solipsism, that is.

Ok, my mom has five children but inessence we are a single genetic family. Likewise, out of one mind...many. If that explanation isn't good enough, just send me $19.95 and I'll explain it in more detail.

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

It is feasable in the religious contexts inasmuch as religions teach that it is God's mind, through a spirit (hence protection of Both, God's mind from you, and you from God's mind) that imparts to you what it is that you require, but only in accordance with God's will.

It is knowledge that is imparted, hence all "mind-spaces" can be seen as separate inasmuch as they do not communicate directly, but only through speech, (externally) which we all know is incomplete in it's ability to convey completely thoughts and/or Ideas.

Solipsism is a sort of violation of itself, as in, if you were the only mind, then you should know why you created yourself.

Personally, I disagree with Solipsism simply because it doesn't follow reality, inasmuch as, a Solipsist cannot control their own mind, any better then the rest of us, and the arguements against that amount to be an excersize in self deception. (only My opinion!)


EDIT; to Wuliheron, the "cheques in the mail" so tell us the rest now while we wait OK?

P.S.ssst, (not really!)

[LogicalAtheist]

I feel I should point out that LG was removed from the forums so he won't be responding.

As for his concept, as I said before, it's a large demonic entity he seemed to use to explain something simple, rather than doing formal research and getting answers that already exist.

I don't see anything rational that could come out of it, other than that! [zz)]

[Mentat]

Originally posted by wuliheron
Ok, my mom has five children but inessence we are a single genetic family. Likewise, out of one mind...many. If that explanation isn't good enough, just send me $19.95 and I'll explain it in more detail.

Well, it's not good enough, but I ain't sending you any money.

It's not good enough because the Mind concept is dealing with reality as a whole. All of reality must be the product of one Mind, otherwise the Mind concept is false. So there is still inconsistency is implying that there are individual "minds".

[wuliheron]

Originally posted by Mentat
Well, it's not good enough, but I ain't sending you any money.

It's not good enough because the Mind concept is dealing with reality as a whole. All of reality must be the product of one Mind, otherwise the Mind concept is false. So there is still inconsistency is implying that there are individual "minds".

Dang! And here I thought was a perfect opportunity to make a little cash. Guess I'll have to go back to selling baggies of gravel Elvis' Ghost walked on.

The idea is no more or less inconsistant than in declaring an individual to have multiple personalities or that infinity is composed of finite parts. It is essentially what both philosophical and religious Buddhists believe as well as a number of other schools of thought (sic). :0)

[Mentat]

Originally posted by wuliheron
Dang! And here I thought was a perfect opportunity to make a little cash. Guess I'll have to go back to selling baggies of gravel Elvis' Ghost walked on.


LOL


The idea is no more or less inconsistant than in declaring an individual to have multiple personalities or that infinity is composed of finite parts.


How's that?


It is essentially what both philosophical and religious Buddhists believe as well as a number of other schools of thought (sic). :0)

That doesn't mean that it's not inconsistent.

[wuliheron]

Originally posted by Mentat

That doesn't mean that it's not inconsistent.

Exactly, the question is not whether or not it is inconsistant. It is a basic axiom, just as the big bang theory or Quantum Mechanics have inconsistent basic axioms. Some argue that all theories have inconsistent basic axioms and Godel's incompleteness theorem shows any system must ultimately be based on faith as much as anything else.

What matters then is whether or a basic axiom is horribly inconsistent, unnecessarilly complicated, and whether or not it is a useful theory or system. In the case of LG theory of the mind, its basic axioms are not overty complex or inconsistent, but they are useless--excepting possibly for personal purposes. Of course, he argued otherwise but, never provided any evidence to support this position.

[BoulderHead]

In the case of LG theory of the mind, its basic axioms are not overty complex or inconsistent, but they are useless--excepting possibly for personal purposes. Of course, he argued otherwise but, never provided any evidence to support this position.*Bang* (hammer drives nail into the coffin of the Mind)

I asked him once what purpose it might serve, but the answer must have seemed nebulous to me and now I can't remember what it was. I suppose that if The Mind could be proven as the ‘T’ruth to the satisfaction of all, then the practical value of what this might mean would be secondary. Unfortunately, I believe that we are stuck in a position of uncertainty with respect to that type of truth. This being the case MY mind falls back into the seat of my britches from whence it came and asks the question; What’s it gonna do for me???

[wuliheron]

Originally posted by BoulderHead
*Bang* (hammer drives nail into the coffin of the Mind)

I asked him once what purpose it might serve, but the answer must have seemed nebulous to me and now I can't remember what it was. I suppose that if The Mind could be proven as the ‘T’ruth to the satisfaction of all, then the practical value of what this might mean would be secondary. Unfortunately, I believe that we are stuck in a position of uncertainty with respect to that type of truth. This being the case MY mind falls back into the seat of my britches from whence it came and asks the question; What’s it gonna do for me???

It also begs the question of where do we go from here. The Mind hypothesis has its limitations perhaps, but who we are and the paradox of existence are not among those limits. Like the virtego inspiring limits of infinity, unity is as much an emotional experience as anything else. It is at once a reality to be experienced and an abstraction beyond current scientific interpretation.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Mentat
Well, it's not good enough, but I ain't sending you any money.

It's not good enough because the Mind concept is dealing with reality as a whole. All of reality must be the product of one Mind, otherwise the Mind concept is false. So there is still inconsistency is implying that there are individual "minds". If you take it down to the cellular level, where each cell is "an entity" unto itself (so to speak), then it's very plausible to view the brain as a "collective entity" of cells.

This would make a great deal of sense in the way we view ourselves with God, as seperate entities (or cells), and yet part of the "collective mind" as a whole. And indeed each single cell becomes a lifeform unto its own (within the environment of other cells), and yet has little or no "knowledge" of being part of the greater mind as a whole.

And by the way, did you know that we're all part of the "one entity," which is called the Universe?

[drag]

Originally posted by LogicalAtheist
I feel I should point out that LG was removed from
the forums so he won't be responding.
WHAT ?! WHY ?!
His account is active, what are you talking
about ?!

[drag]

Originally posted by Mentat
You see, I think there is an inconsistency in
saying that all minds (thus refering to
more than one mind) are the product of
the one Mind. I just want an explanation
as to how this could possibly be consistent -
without becoming pure Solipsism, that is.
What's so unclear ? He means that everything
is produced by one's mind - whoever it is
that reads his message. [;)] (this message
is also only produced by your mind Mentat,
there is no drag, no PFs and indeed your
PC is not real - nothing is).

Live long and prosper.

[LogicalAtheist]

Did you not see the post by greg? Ask greg or look for it in the gen. section I believe.

[heusdens]

Originally posted by Mentat
Most of us here are familiar with the Lifegazer's Mind idea, so I wont go into any real explanation - unless it becomes necessary; in which case, I think Lifegazer would do a better job than I would anyway.

Lifegazer has said that all minds are products of the Mind (or of God; the terms are rather interchangeable, according to Lifegazer's concept), and it is this statement/postulate that I wish to examine.

You see, I think there is an inconsistency in saying that all minds (thus refering to more than one mind) are the product of the one Mind. I just want an explanation as to how this could possibly be consistent - without becoming pure Solipsism, that is.

Simple answer: it can't.

LG's philosophy tries to inprint the thought on our minds, that the only way we know of the world is trough our capacities of our mind.
What exist outside of our own mind, is to some extend, not directly knowable. While this is certainly some aspect of us being humans, and having a mind, and perceiving of and thinking about the world with our mind, the conclusion of the argument, as if the world itself, as existing independend of our mind, would be an unncessary extention to "the world" (= our mind) is not a good conclusion.

It comes to this then, that all products of our mind become untestable, cause all we have is our minds, and not a real world (since we "conclude" or "assume" from that point of view, a world as such having independend existence apart from our mind, does not exist).

In this limited edition of the world (consisting entirely of only what is in our mind) we have no way of realy knowing anything. It is where Absolute Knowing meets Absolute Ignorance.
The history of our understanding of the world as it is, however shows us that the real knowledge we have accumulated and developed over the centuries, have always been formed in close relationship to the instruments provided to us by science, which extends our observation of the world, and using scientific methods for reasoning and observing. Between the two stands (having Absolute Knowledge, or having Absolutre no Knowledge) we have found that the only fruitfull basis for progress is that of relative knowledge, that has progressed over the centuries. The full truth we might never know, but this does not prevent us from having a more and more "realistic" idea about what the world in fact is, and how it develops.

What could have been known, if we had never left the point of view of Idealism, and only looked upon the world from the assumption, that the world itself has no independend existence in the first place?
Calling all of the world which exists independend of our mind, as the "Mind of God", is not realy helpfull in understanding anything about the world. For discovering laws of reasoning and developing them, Idealism certainly provided some good methods, which are quite usefull. Provided however we place them on a material foundation.

As to serve merit to both opposing philosophies (Idealism and Materialism) further it can be stated that both opposing philosophies can be said to form a "dialectical unity of opposites". Which also helps in understanding that the law of "interprenation of opposites" occurs, and that this has developed our philosophic and sicentific understanding of the world.

We should not think of opposites, as if that would be something we could go without. On the contrary. Just because there are opposites (both in matter itself, and in our reflections and thought on the world) development (of matter and of thought) occurs! There will never be a time, in which all such opposites can be said to be dismissed, cause if that would be the case, then that would be the end of the world, as no change or development ever would occur anymore! Instead, the world of matter and that of thought, develop through the constant proces of thesis- anti-thesis - synthesis, in which the latter just is the new thesis for the next development cycle. This is the development as it occurs anywhere in nature, in society and in the human mind.

It's all dialectics!

[heusdens]

Originally posted by wuliheron
Exactly, the question is not whether or not it is inconsistant. It is a basic axiom, just as the big bang theory or Quantum Mechanics have inconsistent basic axioms. Some argue that all theories have inconsistent basic axioms and Godel's incompleteness theorem shows any system must ultimately be based on faith as much as anything else.

What matters then is whether or a basic axiom is horribly inconsistent, unnecessarilly complicated, and whether or not it is a useful theory or system. In the case of LG theory of the mind, its basic axioms are not overty complex or inconsistent, but they are useless--excepting possibly for personal purposes. Of course, he argued otherwise but, never provided any evidence to support this position.

Godel theorem would be a good point in arguing that our minds alone (if it can be seen as a "forma; system) can never judge this issue alone, and would us leave behind with blind faith.

But happily, we are not dependend on our mind's alone, to judge anything.
Suppose we construct a bridge. We have gathered data about how the material behaves, and what forces are excerted on the material.
Still we never be able to tell from that alone, if the bridge in all circumstances will hold. Luckily though, we can test our thoughts, and build models of the bridge, or test the material.
It might be, we actually built a bridge, we think will be strong enough, and which nevertheless crashes. But this will only help us in inspecting the error we made in calculating the bridge strenght, we must have obviously left some factor out. This will enable us, in the end, to learn from mistakes, and make better and better bridges.

If we have a pudding (something that looks like a pudding) before our nose, how can we tell that it realy tastes good, if that is all the information we have? Well, luckily we can eat the pudding, and then tell if it tastes well or not.

In the same way it is not sufficient to conjecture against the theorema's of gravity... one better learns to swim!

[wuliheron]

Originally posted by heusdens
[B]Godel theorem would be a good point in arguing that our minds alone (if it can be seen as a "forma; system) can never judge this issue alone, and would us leave behind with blind faith.

But happily, we are not dependend on our mind's alone, to judge anything.
If we have a pudding (something that looks like a pudding) before our nose, how can we tell that it realy tastes good, if that is all the information we have? Well, luckily we can eat the pudding, and then tell if it tastes well or not.


The validity of our personal and collective experiences and the laws of physics represent yet again more fundamental axioms we must take on faith. For all we know the law of gravity will be repealled tomorrow (there actually is an ongoing effort being made to do this by a Canadian political party.) Bottom line, each evaluation we make ultimately comes back to the issue of not only can we trust our methods, but can we trust ourselves and our experience?

Will the pudding taste terrible because it has cyanide in it or because it has spontaneously become radioactive? Will our taste budds or mind betray us? Is some alien race in orbit manipulating our minds so that we just think we are eating a pudding? There are essentially two ways of approaching this connundrum, statistically and qualitatively, neither one of which completely resolves the situation.

[Mentat]

I just read the thread about Lifegazer's Departure (http://physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=26835#post26835), and I'm thoroughly ticked off (though it is probably the right decision).

I don't see much point in continuing this thread...

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Mentat
I just read the thread about Lifegazer's Departure (http://physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=26835#post26835), and I'm thoroughly ticked off (though it is probably the right decision).

I don't see much point in continuing this thread...
Don't be hasty.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
If you take it down to the cellular level, where each cell is "an entity" unto itself (so to speak), then it's very plausible to view the brain as a "collective entity" of cells.

This would make a great deal of sense in the way we view ourselves with God, as seperate entities (or cells), and yet part of the "collective mind" as a whole. And indeed each single cell becomes a lifeform unto its own (within the environment of other cells), and yet has little or no "knowledge" of being part of the greater mind as a whole.

And by the way, did you know that we're all part of the "one entity," which is called the Universe?

Hey, stop using my material!

Weren't you, on another thread, unconvinced that the Universe is an "Entity"? Guess I've been persuasive despite the protestations.

Somewhere on this thread I wanted to add my little proposition about the nature and evolution of consciousness. And this might be as good a spot as any.

However, before I do, I want to address Mentat's much-appreciated input that my posts are laced with unsupportable "assumptions."

I have done what I said I was going to do, which is re-read most of my posts and HIGHLIGHT my "assumptions". And what I came to see is that most were NOT "assumptions" but were, rather, PROPOSITIONS.

When one proposes an idea, it is not INSTANTLY PROVEN. It may, in fact, NEVER be proven...or may be proven WRONG.

My seemingly endless supply of PROPOSITIONS are only IDEAS to work with for the sake of discussion. True, I'm "attached" to a few of them, and will attempt to "make a case" for them as if I actually "KNOW"...but really I'm testing for faulty logic and thus ENJOY every kick in the pants I get. [g)]

Not wishing to go over my 10000 character limit per post, I will seek another quote from which to procede.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by wuliheron
The validity of our personal and collective experiences and the laws of physics represent yet again more fundamental axioms we must take on faith. For all we know the law of gravity will be repealled tomorrow (there actually is an ongoing effort being made to do this by a Canadian political party.) Bottom line, each evaluation we make ultimately comes back to the issue of not only can we trust our methods, but can we trust ourselves and our experience?

Will the pudding taste terrible because it has cyanide in it or because it has spontaneously become radioactive? Will our taste budds or mind betray us? Is some alien race in orbit manipulating our minds so that we just think we are eating a pudding? There are essentially two ways of approaching this connundrum, statistically and qualitatively, neither one of which completely resolves the situation.

Has my mind betrayed me...or ABANDONED me??? Let's see...

I few years back I was thinking about "symmetry"...or, at least, my personal interpretation of symmetry, which may have nothing to do at all with scientific definitions. AND AM HEREBY REQUESTING INPUT IF I AM WAY OFF.

But "off" or not, my mind migrated to an interesting (to me) proposition: that "physical reality" is a "metaphor" for non-physical "reality".

In other words, the forces, processes and "ingredients" of the physical parts of the Universe have correlary forces, processes and "ingredients" in the non-physical parts of the Universe.

Thus, at the moment of the "Big Bang", not only did energy condense down and fragment into a soup of elementary particles that have since "come together" via natural forces into dynamic, coherent systems of baryonic matter ...CONSCIOUSNESS also "fragmented" out of the Primal Singularity that was the Universe just prior to the "Big Bang".

And, like matter, consciousness has been ACCRETING...but not forming "mass" but rather a NETWORK of dynamic, coherent systems of THOUGHT.

So, while the Universe -- as a SINGULARITY -- "had all it's marbles"...after the "Big Bang" It "lost its marbles" and has been spending all this time "gathering them up" again.

I believe this is part of the process in EACH INCARNATION of the Universe...that the Universe loses knowledge of Itself for the function of creating a new Experience out of the same "stuff".

So I agree with Iacchus because I agree with myself...that we are part of the cosmic mind that's CONTRIBUTING to the EVOLUTION of the Universe Itself.

And let us not forget another part of my proposition: that every spec of "matter" has an element of "consciousness" to it...and possibably a spec of "spirit" too.

[heusdens]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Has my mind betrayed me...or ABANDONED me??? Let's see...

I few years back I was thinking about "symmetry"...or, at least, my personal interpretation of symmetry, which may have nothing to do at all with scientific definitions. AND AM HEREBY REQUESTING INPUT IF I AM WAY OFF.

But "off" or not, my mind migrated to an interesting (to me) proposition: that "physical reality" is a "metaphor" for non-physical "reality".

In other words, the forces, processes and "ingredients" of the physical parts of the Universe have correlary forces, processes and "ingredients" in the non-physical parts of the Universe.

Thus, at the moment of the "Big Bang", not only did energy condense down and fragment into a soup of elementary particles that have since "come together" via natural forces into dynamic, coherent systems of baryonic matter ...CONSCIOUSNESS also "fragmented" out of the Primal Singularity that was the Universe just prior to the "Big Bang".

And, like matter, consciousness has been ACCRETING...but not forming "mass" but rather a NETWORK of dynamic, coherent systems of THOUGHT.

So, while the Universe -- as a SINGULARITY -- "had all it's marbles"...after the "Big Bang" It "lost its marbles" and has been spending all this time "gathering them up" again.

I believe this is part of the process in EACH INCARNATION of the Universe...that the Universe loses knowledge of Itself for the function of creating a new Experience out of the same "stuff".

So I agree with Iacchus because I agree with myself...that we are part of the cosmic mind that's CONTRIBUTING to the EVOLUTION of the Universe Itself.

And let us not forget another part of my proposition: that every spec of "matter" has an element of "consciousness" to it...and possibably a spec of "spirit" too.

This just means that you claim that Matter=Consciousness. But that is not true, since matter can be distinguished from consciousness.
What we call consciousness, is some specified form of matter, which has been built up in the course of evolutionary history.

Further your explenation of the big bang is plain wrong, since most big nbang fanatics claim that nothing (not even time) could exist before the big bang, so how could energy exist then?

[Mentat]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Don't be hasty.

Well, we can continue the discussions that we've started, but I just don't see much point in discussing the Mind hypothesis anymore.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Mentat
Well, we can continue the discussions that we've started, but I just don't see much point in discussing the Mind hypothesis anymore. Well, is it because nobody wants to argue it from Lifegazer's point of view? I can give it a shot. Of course you're probably going to say well, that's not the same ... Also, did you read my previous post (http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=26394#post26394) above?


From the thread, Morality. How? Why? What? (http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2184) ...

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Originally posted by wuliheron
As I said in the beginning, morality is a set of abstract rules which may or may not be relevent to any particular situation. Thus, abstract rules can contradict the need for physical contact and affection we require. B. F. Skinner provided a graphic example of this with his daughter.And yet what is it about mankind's behavior that's not abstract? If everything is "perceived" with the mind, then everything emanates from the mind. Look around you. This whole "concrete jungle" which we now see before us was brought about by only one thing, the "abstract process" of man's thinking.

So what could that possibly mean? ... That man is nothing "but," a mythological construct. Therefore, if he wants to do "what is right," then he had better seek the "proper guidance" (wisdom) from within. Hmm ... does that mean it's possible to suffer a guilty conscience?

Does anybody here know of Joseph Campbell? If not, then you're missing out on this whole question of existence, and the essential role mythology has played in its development. Recommended reading: The Power of Myth. Transcripted from the popular television series on PBS, and now available on DVD.


Originally posted by wuliheron
A Zen master might hit you on the head with a stick for such a solipstic statement as if to say, "Here, does that feel abstract!" Words only have meaning given a context and when you start talking in terms of Oneness and Unity they becoming meaningless. Instead, what matters increasingly, again, is how we communicate our attitude.Or, if I were to punch you in the nose ... And yet, without consciousness, whether I be dead, asleep, or totally unresponsive, "I" wouldn't feel anything. Neither am I in anyway saying external reality doesn't exist, only that its perception is an entirely "inside job" (i.e., whether it feels that way or not). Hey if I didn't have a brain, I can assure you (or could I?) that I wouldn't feel you whacking me with a stick!

Does this sound altogether different than Lifgazer's theory? I'm not sure that it does. Just worded a bit differently. And yet what it's really all about is your point of reference. Do "you" exist outside of yourself, as an external reference point or, does that "you" exist within? This can make a big difference in terms of accountability. And it's like Harry Truman said, "The buck stops here!"


Joseph Campbell understands this simple truth and his motto is, "Follow your bliss." I agree ... absolutely!


Originally posted by wuliheron
"External" and "internal" are just concepts. Without air, you can't breath. Exactly where "you" start and end is debatable. That is another reason a Zen master might hit you on the head, to demonstrate and get across that what you feel and experience is more important than any abstract thoughts on the subject. If it weren't for the fact of mirrors, I would have to agree with you. And by Jove that would be an external reflection of an "internal awareness," by which I project my identity into the image (form) that I see in the mirror.

And besides, breathing is done subconsciously, and is not part of your awareness, "consciously."

You also need to understand that this is a scientifically "biased" forum, and that science would pretty much dismiss the Zen master due to the "subjective nature" of feelings and experience. I'm not saying I would, mind you!


Originally posted by wuliheron
What is certain, again, is I need the microscopic mites on my eyelashes to see, the ones on my skin to live, the air that I breath, the food and water I consume, the love and attention my mother gave me as a baby. Where exactly you might care to draw the line between me and not me, perhaps, is debatable but those needs are not. To whom is this certain? It's not certain to me, and yet I still see? This is all knowledge, of the aftermath, and doesn't affect one bit my "conscious ability" to perceive. Unless of course I were in the "conscious act" of eating which, I'm abouts to go do right now.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by heusdens
This just means that you claim that Matter=Consciousness. But that is not true, since matter can be distinguished from consciousness.
What we call consciousness, is some specified form of matter, which has been built up in the course of evolutionary history.

Further your explenation of the big bang is plain wrong, since most big nbang fanatics claim that nothing (not even time) could exist before the big bang, so how could energy exist then?

Please show me where I said that matter equals consciousness.

I have said that within every particle or collection of matter, there is a "piece" of consciousness "in" it...and, possibly, spirit.

Since when is consciousness "some specified form of matter"?

You seem to be saying that conscious arose out of increasingly complex organic systems which are made of matter amd nothing else. Why is YOUR "explanation" of the genesis of consciousness any more logical than mine?

I am saying that consciousness ASSEMBLED ALSO...in tandem with the physical Universe. And, while matter, consciousness (ans spirit?) are in some ways SEPARATE THINGS, they are also CONNECTED and INSEPARABLE...I propose.

Who cares what "Big Bang Fanatics" think? If most of them take the view that "nothing existed 'before' the Big Bang"...then they are simply thinking small.

What better "mechanism" might there be for an "Eternal Entity" than to expand and contract, from Big Bang to Big Crunch...with an "all-knowing" Singularity of Itself in between?

What existed before the most recent Big Bang? A Singularity comprised of Everything That Is. Within this Singularity was the Gestaldt of all that had "gone before" ...experientially speaking.

What existed before the Singularity? The last incarnation of the Universe -- the "life" It "lived" between the previous Big Bang and Big Crunch.

This, for me, would be making good use of Eternity...that of an creative and evolving Being having an ongoing series of very complex (and emotion-laden) experiences...of which we, in THIS incarnation, are a part.

But, getting back to the Singularity...I am saying that the CONSCIOUSNESS of the Universe from Its "last" incarnationn (...as well as the one before that ...and the one before that) ...ALL OF THESE AWARENESSES were contained intrinsically in the Singularity.

But the aggregate of consciousness -- like matter -- split apart -- yet again -- in the "rebirthing process" I have been discussing...for the FUNCTION of RE-ASSEMBLING in novel ways to experience novel things.

Seems simple to me...and, no doubt, VERY "simple" to you! [a)]

[heusdens]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Please show me where I said that matter equals consciousness.

I have said that within every particle or collection of matter, there is a "piece" of consciousness "in" it...and, possibly, spirit.

Since when is consciousness "some specified form of matter"?

You seem to be saying that conscious arose out of increasingly complex organic systems which are made of matter amd nothing else. Why is YOUR "explanation" of the genesis of consciousness any more logical than mine?

I am saying that consciousness ASSEMBLED ALSO...in tandem with the physical Universe. And, while matter, consciousness (ans spirit?) are in some ways SEPARATE THINGS, they are also CONNECTED and INSEPARABLE...I propose.

Who cares what "Big Bang Fanatics" think? If most of them take the view that "nothing existed 'before' the Big Bang"...then they are simply thinking small.

What better "mechanism" might there be for an "Eternal Entity" than to expand and contract, from Big Bang to Big Crunch...with an "all-knowing" Singularity of Itself in between?

What existed before the most recent Big Bang? A Singularity comprised of Everything That Is. Within this Singularity was the Gestaldt of all that had "gone before" ...experientially speaking.

What existed before the Singularity? The last incarnation of the Universe -- the "life" It "lived" between the previous Big Bang and Big Crunch.

This, for me, would be making good use of Eternity...that of an creative and evolving Being having an ongoing series of very complex (and emotion-laden) experiences...of which we, in THIS incarnation, are a part.

But, getting back to the Singularity...I am saying that the CONSCIOUSNESS of the Universe from Its "last" incarnationn (...as well as the one before that ...and the one before that) ...ALL OF THESE AWARENESSES were contained intrinsically in the Singularity.

But the aggregate of consciousness -- like matter -- split apart -- yet again -- in the "rebirthing process" I have been discussing...for the FUNCTION of RE-ASSEMBLING in novel ways to experience novel things.

Seems simple to me...and, no doubt, VERY "simple" to you! [a)]

Let me think here. So you say that all matter consists of consciousness. More or less the same way as air molecules contain "hurricaneness", so that they when put together can form hurricanes.
Is that what you mean?

But you are plain wrong. Porperties of matter which exist at higer levels of material forms, don't have to be existing in all their parts.
Each level of material structures have at that level specified properties, which - although based on properties from the level below - are not existing at the lower levels.
There is no consciousness in ordinary matter, for the simple reason that for such a thing we need to base ourselves on observation.
We have bot determined matter to be consciousness, cause there lacks observation of that.

[heusdens]

Originally posted by Mentat
Well, we can continue the discussions that we've started, but I just don't see much point in discussing the Mind hypothesis anymore.

What about providing a rational explenation for this hypothese.
With rational explenation I mean an explenation which explains where this false perspective on reality comes from.
The explenation should reflect on the way the mind reflects on itself and the material world.

[Mentat]

Originally posted by heusdens
What about providing a rational explenation for this hypothese.
With rational explenation I mean an explenation which explains where this false perspective on reality comes from.
The explenation should reflect on the way the mind reflects on itself and the material world.

Do you mean that I should explain how the hypothesis came about?

[heusdens]

Originally posted by Mentat
Do you mean that I should explain how the hypothesis came about?

It should be explained why the hypothesis is in error. The thinking error.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by heusdens
Let me think here. So you say that all matter consists of consciousness. More or less the same way as air molecules contain "hurricaneness", so that they when put together can form hurricanes.
Is that what you mean?

But you are plain wrong. Porperties of matter which exist at higer levels of material forms, don't have to be existing in all their parts.
Each level of material structures have at that level specified properties, which - although based on properties from the level below - are not existing at the lower levels.
There is no consciousness in ordinary matter, for the simple reason that for such a thing we need to base ourselves on observation.
We have bot determined matter to be consciousness, cause there lacks observation of that. \

I almost couldn't read the rest of your post when I got to your hurricane anology AGAIN!!!

A hurricane is a dynamic, coherent system composed of air molecules that are acting "in concert" due to forces of heat and the motion of the planet, etc. (this is not meant to be a comprehensive discription of a hurricane, so please don't tell me what I'm leaving OUT, OK?) .

The air molecule does not contain a hurricane any more than a single "particle of consciousness" contains a bar mitzvah!

But could the planet HAVE hurricanes if there were not air molecules?

I would like to concede -- for the sake of civility -- that consciousness has not been "observed" in "particles"...except that I believe certain experiments have suggested that photons seem to "make choices" under certain conditions. (SCIENCE TYPES: PLEASE HELP ME HERE. WHAT SPECIFICIALLY AM I REFERENCING?)

Please tell me where YOU draw the line, Heusdens, when looking, say, at the animal kingdom, as to what is conscious and what is not.

Are only humans conscious? Are dogs conscious. Cats? Mice? Lizards? Fish? Bugs? Shall I assume plants are out by default...much like your molecule of air?

What is YOUR criteria for determining "consciousness"?

And never batter me with your HURRICANE ANALOGY again! [g)]

[heusdens]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
\

I almost couldn't read the rest of your post when I got to your hurricane anology AGAIN!!!

A hurricane is a dynamic, coherent system composed of air molecules that are acting "in concert" due to forces of heat and the motion of the planet, etc. (this is not meant to be a comprehensive discription of a hurricane, so please don't tell me what I'm leaving OUT, OK?) .

The air molecule does not contain a hurricane any more than a single "particle of consciousness" contains a bar mitzvah!

But could the planet HAVE hurricanes if there were not air molecules?

I would like to concede -- for the sake of civility -- that consciousness has not been "observed" in "particles"...except that I believe certain experiments have suggested that photons seem to "make choices" under certain conditions. (SCIENCE TYPES: PLEASE HELP ME HERE. WHAT SPECIFICIALLY AM I REFERENCING?)

Please tell me where YOU draw the line, Heusdens, when looking, say, at the animal kingdom, as to what is conscious and what is not.

Are only humans conscious? Are dogs conscious. Cats? Mice? Lizards? Fish? Bugs? Shall I assume plants are out by default...much like your molecule of air?

What is YOUR criteria for determining "consciousness"?

And never batter me with your HURRICANE ANALOGY again! [g)]

I only use it because it is a usefull anology.
A hurricane is entierly composed of air molecles, and their motions.
But it is clear the properties of a hurricane is in no way existing in the air molecules themselves.
And in the same way consciousness exists as a highh level feature of the brain as a material organ, while this property is not existing in any of the atoms of which the brain is composed.

So, in other words, I don't think there are 'particles' of consciousness.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
If you take it down to the cellular level, where each cell is "an entity" unto itself (so to speak), then it's very plausible to view the brain as a "collective entity" of cells.

This would make a great deal of sense in the way we view ourselves with God, as seperate entities (or cells), and yet part of the "collective mind" as a whole. And indeed each single cell becomes a lifeform unto its own (within the environment of other cells), and yet has little or no "knowledge" of being part of the greater mind as a whole.

And by the way, did you know that we're all part of the "one entity," which is called the Universe?Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Hey, stop using my material!

Weren't you, on another thread, unconvinced that the Universe is an "Entity"? Guess I've been persuasive despite the protestations.
Oh, do you mean the part about the "one entity," which is called the Universe? Well it is, the Universe is an entity unto itself. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I didn't notice your reply until now.

By the way, I do hold the same view as Lifegazer here, that we are all of one mind, which is the "Mind of God." This is essentially what I'm arguing with the illustration above. From this I can also deduce that the material universe is an entity -- "in form" -- which contains the spiritual universe or "essence," and thus gives rise to consciousness, hence "the Mind" we all share.

So what's wrong with the illustration above? It sounds pretty plausible to me. If in fact we were all of one mind, then the best thing to compare "ourselves to" would be as individual brain cells, where we become "a microcosm" within the macrocosm (God's Mind).

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Oh, do you mean the part about the "one entity," which is called the Universe? Well it is, the Universe is an entity unto itself. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I didn't notice your reply until now.

By the way, I do hold the same view as Lifegazer here, that we are all of one mind, which is the "Mind of God." This is essentially what I'm arguing with the illustration above. From this I can also deduce that the material universe is an entity -- "in form" -- which contains the spiritual universe or "essence," and thus gives rise to consciousness, hence "the Mind" we all share.

So what's wrong with the illustration above? It sounds pretty plausible to me. If in fact we were all of one mind, then the best thing to compare "ourselves to" would be as individual brain cells, where we become "a microcosm" within the macrocosm (God's Mind).

As much as I love to argue, I have to admit if feels good to AGREE with someone...for a moment. [;)]

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by heusdens
I only use it because it is a usefull anology.
A hurricane is entierly composed of air molecles, and their motions.
But it is clear the properties of a hurricane is in no way existing in the air molecules themselves.
And in the same way consciousness exists as a highh level feature of the brain as a material organ, while this property is not existing in any of the atoms of which the brain is composed.

So, in other words, I don't think there are 'particles' of consciousness.

Please tell me where you draw the line re consciousness...as requested above.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
As much as I love to argue, I have to admit if feels good to AGREE with someone...for a moment. [;)] Thanks! Of course I would extend this further to say there is a spiritual "reality" that exists behind the "material facade," and hence the notion of "mystery," where spirits do dwell, and experience the reality of God more directly.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Thanks! Of course I would extend this further to say there is a spiritual "reality" that exists behind the "material facade," and hence the notion of "mystery," where spirits do dwell, and experience the reality of God more directly.

Please give me your definition of "spirit". I'm still working on mine.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Please give me your definition of "spirit". I'm still working on mine. I don't want to get too far into that otherwise "the alarms" might sound off. So I'll just keep it specific to what I encounter in my dreams here ...


From the thread, The Mystery Within (http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=611&perpage=15&pagenumber=2) ...

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Yes, but where do we go when we dream? Now that's a whole new world (dimension) unto itself. It's not tangible in the sense that we can see it or touch it, at least in this world, and yet we've all been there ... Is it possible this is where we go when we die?
Originally posted by Iacchus32
Who are we and what are we in relationship to that which we dream about? I know for me there's always some sort of interaction going on, and it's hard to believe it's merely a by-product of some electro-chemical process going on in the brain. What are these other so-called "enitities" experiencing when they experience me? It's like I had always been there, and yet separate, as if I were a separate entity. Which, is pretty much the way I experience them.

And yet there are times when I become more concsious in this state and I say, "By the way, I haven't died yet." And they all look at me with puzzled faces and say, "What do mean? It's always been this way. This is it man (reality)." And it's about this time that I begin to wake up, and realize that I'm laying in bed, and there they are still looking at me! And I say, "Hey, I tried to explain it you!" Soon after they would all depart and I would go back to my being unaware of them.This is the best indication I can give for now that spirits do exist.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
I don't want to get too far into that otherwise "the alarms" might sound off. So I'll just keep it specific to what I encounter in my dreams here ...


From the thread, The Mystery Within (http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=611&perpage=15&pagenumber=2) ...


This is the best indication I can give for now that spirits do exist.


Hmmm. Processing.

Goodnight. [zz)] Oh, I get it now. [zz)] Where am I? [zz)] Must shut off the computer!! [zz)] Is this a lucid dream? [8)]


Just pullin' your astral leg, Iacchus. Bye for now.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Hmmm. Processing.

Goodnight. [zz)] Oh, I get it now. [zz)] Where am I? [zz)] Must shut off the computer!! [zz)] Is this a lucid dream? [8)]


Just pullin' your astral leg, Iacchus. Bye for now. I've had some pretty lucid dreams myself. Whereas I can see how people might construe such things for being abducted by aliens. Because they can be that real!

Well, sweet dreams! ...

[heusdens]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Please tell me where you draw the line re consciousness...as requested above.

Conscious matter has arisen out of the unconscious material world in a very long and very complex process, called evolution.
The transformations are fluent, and we can not draw an exact line where unconsciousness becomes consciosness, because there are so many intermediate stages, there is only a gradual change, but in the end it builts up to many qualitative changes, we denote as consciousness.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by heusdens
Conscious matter has arisen out of the unconscious material world in a very long and very complex process, called evolution.
The transformations are fluent, and we can not draw an exact line where unconsciousness becomes consciosness, because there are so many intermediate stages, there is only a gradual change, but in the end it builts up to many qualitative changes, we denote as consciousness.

"Conscious matter"???

Although I refer to a "kernal" or a "speck" or a "particle" of consciousness for the sake of discussion, I do not "see" consciousness as MATTER (which, again, is only bound-up energy...so why should I complain?).

The kernals of consciousness in each piece of frozen-down energy (matter) is a massless "substance" that "connected to" all the other massless substances of its ilk...much like baryonic matter is "connected to" -- or at least EFFECTED BY -- all other baryonic matter by gravity...to varying degrees.

I propose there is a corallary force to gravity within the "realm" of consciousness.

What say you?

[heusdens]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
"Conscious matter"???

Although I refer to a "kernal" or a "speck" or a "particle" of consciousness for the sake of discussion, I do not "see" consciousness as MATTER (which, again, is only bound-up energy...so why should I complain?).

The kernals of consciousness in each piece of frozen-down energy (matter) is a massless "substance" that "connected to" all the other massless substances of its ilk...much like baryonic matter is "connected to" -- or at least EFFECTED BY -- all other baryonic matter by gravity...to varying degrees.

I propose there is a corallary force to gravity within the "realm" of consciousness.

What say you?

I am completely unable of making any SENSE of what you say here.


WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?????


Consciousness is the highest form of self-organization of matter, and is is a product of a natural , material process, called evolution.

Please look up some textbooks on evolution of life and consciousness, cause your weird approach here does not make any sense at all.

[Mentat]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Well, is it because nobody wants to argue it from Lifegazer's point of view? I can give it a shot. Of course you're probably going to say well, that's not the same ... Also, did you read my previous post (http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=26394#post26394) above?


Yeah, I read it, but I don't think that it is in-line with Lifegazer's idea. You should probably try to expound on your idea, in another thread, though, because it's interesting enough. Of course, I must point out that the universe is not an entity. The universe is a collection of entities, and cannot include itself (Russel's Paradox).

Anyway, if you would like that I try to argue for the Mind hypothesis, I can. I would just draw upon all of the knowledge of the hypothesis that I have gained, from having to combat it for so long. However, I don't think the other members are going to like it much (they all seem relieved that his idea is no longer being posted), and I don't think that it will make much difference, as I have already shown that it's unfalsifiable, but also unprovable.

[Mentat]

Originally posted by heusdens
I am completely unable of making any SENSE of what you say here.


WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?????


Consciousness is the highest form of self-organization of matter, and is is a product of a natural , material process, called evolution.

Please look up some textbooks on evolution of life and consciousness, cause your weird approach here does not make any sense at all.

Or just doesn't agree with that which you have been taught (and believe). Remember, all fields are created equal in Philosophy; and Scientists don't claim to understand consciousness yet, so all ideas should be welcome.

[Mentat]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Hey, stop using my material!

Weren't you, on another thread, unconvinced that the Universe is an "Entity"? Guess I've been persuasive despite the protestations.

Somewhere on this thread I wanted to add my little proposition about the nature and evolution of consciousness. And this might be as good a spot as any.

However, before I do, I want to address Mentat's much-appreciated input that my posts are laced with unsupportable "assumptions."

I have done what I said I was going to do, which is re-read most of my posts and HIGHLIGHT my "assumptions". And what I came to see is that most were NOT "assumptions" but were, rather, PROPOSITIONS.

When one proposes an idea, it is not INSTANTLY PROVEN. It may, in fact, NEVER be proven...or may be proven WRONG.

My seemingly endless supply of PROPOSITIONS are only IDEAS to work with for the sake of discussion. True, I'm "attached" to a few of them, and will attempt to "make a case" for them as if I actually "KNOW"...but really I'm testing for faulty logic and thus ENJOY every kick in the pants I get. [g)]

Not wishing to go over my 10000 character limit per post, I will seek another quote from which to procede.

Well, this may be sort of off-topic, but I think when Occam's Razor refers to "assumptions", it is refering to "propositions" also. Personally, I don't see the difference between how you have defined "proposition" and the usual definition of "assumption".

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Mentat
Of course, I must point out that the universe is not an entity. The universe is a collection of entities, and cannot include itself (Russel's Paradox).



My PROPOSITION is that the Universe IS an Entity...while you adhere to an ASSUMPTION that it is not.

A "proposition" is a new idea presented as something that MAY be "true" while an "assumption" is an idea presented as something that IS "true".

...a subtle but significant distinction.

Meanwhile, WE are also a "collection of entities" but that does NOT preclude us from being entities OURSELVES.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by heusdens
I am completely unable of making any SENSE of what you say here.


WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?????


Consciousness is the highest form of self-organization of matter, and is is a product of a natural , material process, called evolution.

Please look up some textbooks on evolution of life and consciousness, cause your weird approach here does not make any sense at all.

I have said what I am talking about.

Perhaps mine is a paradigm that cannot fit in any way, shape or form into YOUR paradigm. But I assure you, I am familiar with the evolution of life on this planet...I just don't recall any of MY textbooks making reference to consciousness.

Do YOUR textbooks say that the original fish were conscious? How about the one-cell organisms that preceded them...and us ?

I am willing to continue to try to explain my point of view...but perhaps you're growing weary of my "weird approach".

My preference is the former...with expected retorts from you. Otherwise, just let me ramble on.....unheeded and unchecked.

What is your pleasure?

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Mentat
Yeah, I read it, but I don't think that it is in-line with Lifegazer's idea. You should probably try to expound on your idea, in another thread, though, because it's interesting enough. Of course, I must point out that the universe is not an entity. The universe is a collection of entities, and cannot include itself (Russel's Paradox).Where does purpose originate? Does the universe have purpose? If not, then why is man endowed with a sense of purpose? How could that be? That would be tantamount to saying the Universe created a sense of purpose outside of itself? ... And yet, who's to say mankind is not the Universe looking back at itself? ...

Is consciousness an isolated thing? Or, is it really universal? And how is it possible that mankind, through his ability of cognizance, capable of knowing all these Universal Laws pertaining to it? Are we putting the cart before the horse here? If not, then how it is it possible for a Universe without purpose, and hence cognizance, and all the laws that go with it, capable of producing such a creature that is capable of "experiencing it?" ... Are you telling me that something rises out of nothing here?

Whereas just as we all have a mother and a father in an "earthly sense," why can't we all be children of the Universe, which in fact is the origin of consciousness? While I can assure you mankind is not the origin of consciousnes, but rather "its receptacle."


Anyway, if you would like that I try to argue for the Mind hypothesis, I can. I would just draw upon all of the knowledge of the hypothesis that I have gained, from having to combat it for so long. However, I don't think the other members are going to like it much (they all seem relieved that his idea is no longer being posted), and I don't think that it will make much difference, as I have already shown that it's unfalsifiable, but also unprovable. And of course why couldn't we argue it from the standpoint of "reason" then? Ha ha! Just joking! Yet I do try to present things in a way that people can accept or reject what I'm trying to say, although that's not always an easy task on this forum, to say the least.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Where does purpose originate? Does the universe have purpose? If not, then why is man endowed with a sense of purpose? How could that be? That would be tantamount to saying the Universe created a sense of purpose outside of itself? ... And yet, who's to say mankind is not the Universe looking back at itself? ...

Is consciousness an isolated thing? Or, is it really universal? And how is it possible that mankind, through his ability of cognizance, capable of knowing all these Universal Laws pertaining to it? Are we putting the cart before the horse here? If not, then how it is it possible for a Universe without purpose, and hence cognizance, and all the laws that go with it, capable of producing such a creature that is capable of "experiencing it?" ... Are you telling me that something rises out of nothing here?

Whereas just as we all have a mother and a father in an "earthly sense," why can't we all be children of the Universe, which in fact is the origin of consciousness? While I can assure you mankind is not the origin of consciousnes, but rather "its receptacle."



First, a question: Is "purpose" that which serves "another" or that which serves "self"?

My thinking is that a "purpose" for self is that which SERVES self.

As an example: the "purpose" of a bank teller -- from MY point of view -- is to help me make deposits and withdrawals. However, from the point of view of the bank teller, their "purpose" of being a bank teller is, perhaps, to earn a paycheck...with their PURPOSE FOR EXISTENCE is something else altogether.

I present this distinction because I first want to talk about what I believe the "purpose" of the existence of the Universe is...from the Universe's "point of view". Which is: to have an Experience...a real complex one, which includes the life experiences of Everything That Is...past/present/future.

What ELSE would an all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal Entity do? Just sit there knowing everything and doing nothing?

Of course, there are "sub-purposes"...like seeing what It can create THIS time...and the EVOLUTION of It's consciousness...and spirit(?).

The "purpose of the Universe" for us is as the Source of our Beingness...the Universe gave rise to us via NATURAL FORCES and INGREDIENTS.

Among those "ingredients"? CONSCIOUSNESS...always there as PART of the Universe...but "shuffled" in each "incarnation of the Universe" to give rise to different "things" ...which eventually get around to sending speculations to the Universe about what the Universe actually IS.

This might be OUR "purpose" from the Universe's point of view (that of helping the Universe understand ITSELF)...while, from our point of view, our "purpose" may be the same as that of our Source: to have an experience...to create something new ...to evolve ..and to be a source for other beings.

Who knows???

[heusdens]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
I have said what I am talking about.

Perhaps mine is a paradigm that cannot fit in any way, shape or form into YOUR paradigm. But I assure you, I am familiar with the evolution of life on this planet...I just don't recall any of MY textbooks making reference to consciousness.

Do YOUR textbooks say that the original fish were conscious? How about the one-cell organisms that preceded them...and us ?

I am willing to continue to try to explain my point of view...but perhaps you're growing weary of my "weird approach".

My preference is the former...with expected retorts from you. Otherwise, just let me ramble on.....unheeded and unchecked.

What is your pleasure?


I obviously think you take the wrong approach in even assuming that such "elements" of consciousness exist in all matter.

Your analysis has to start with defining the border between life and lifeless matter. Within an organism there are mechanism present, that cause the organism to sustain itself, and makes it possible for organisms to actively interact with the environment. And also it can reproduce itself. Such qualities do not exist in ordinary matter.

Our position as humans is not much different then let's say bacteria, only we have developed far complex ways of interacting with the environment, and have developed all kinds of specific organs in our body, etc.

Consciousness arises as a quality, based on the fact that a level of complexity came into being, that made it possible to interact with the environment at a higher level.

No assumptions are necessary other then the normal qualities of matter, like the physical, the chemical, the biological.

[heusdens]

Some word on this malicious hypothese here.

The whole point of the hypothese itself can best be thought of as a Mind trick. In order for this hypothese to 'proof' itself (the only way the Mind-hypothese can validate itself, is within the mind, the hypothese realy is not a hypothesis on any other part of reality, and has no application outside of it) the read of the hypothese has go through a sequence of assumptions. Most basic of these assumptions is to state that apart from our thoughts, awareness and perceptions, there is not something that is 'there' outside of the mind.
As this can not be in any way a proper way of describing reality, since it would lead directly to solipsism, the hypothese has to come up with a hypothese of reality as it is perceived and explored by science, outside of one's own mind, and independend of it. This is done by the theoretical assumption of a 'Super mind' that 'imagines' all the other minds and outside reality.

The function of this idea is quite straightforward. It will make people in effect immune against the idea of a material world, that can be known by the mind, and the ideas of materialism. It puts reality upside down, by first stating an outside world, independend of one's mind does not exist, and then arguing that the world exists in the form of a 'Super-Mind'. The purpose of this, is clear. The 'Super-Mind' has to replace the concept of matter, as is put forward by materialism.

The way of reasoning is bogus, cause it takes the position that we have to assume that outside of perception, there isn't anything there. Although our perceptions aren't perfect, it is however clear that this position is baseless. The exploration of the natural world by science, describes in much greater detail and much greater objectivity the world as it is.

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
I've had some pretty lucid dreams myself. Whereas I can see how people might construe such things for being abducted by aliens. Because they can be that real!

Well, sweet dreams! ...

My understanding about lucid dreams is NOT that they are characterized by how "real" they seem...but by the fact that we "wake up" in them an realize we're in a dream !

If this the dream and the AWARENESS that it is a dream can be sustained, then we -- in the dream -- can start to direct the action ...causing things to appear, change shapes for our purposes, or anything else imaginable .

I've had a few such dreams in my life and was able to make some things "happen".

I've also had a few "astral dreams" -- where I could "fly" over trees and such -- and am amazed at the clarity of details of what I "observed" in "flight".

Is this the wrong thread for this conversation? Anyhow, I'm not much "into" dreams...operating on "faith" that I'm "working things out" on another "plane".

[Mentat]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
My PROPOSITION is that the Universe IS an Entity...while you adhere to an ASSUMPTION that it is not.


Actually, mine would not be considered a proposition, just a denying of yours. However, I agree that there is nothing wrong up to this point. It's when one begins to postulate that consciousness itself may exist in discrete quanta.

Please remember that I think yours is a worthy idea, I just don't happen to agree with it.


A "proposition" is a new idea presented as something that MAY be "true" while an "assumption" is an idea presented as something that IS "true".


You're right.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
First, a question: Is "purpose" that which serves "another" or that which serves "self"?Sorry I've been so long in getting back to you, but I've been in the process of procurring work the last couple of days and today I had to serve Jury Duty. And now that I'm back to doing nothing? ... i.e., the job didn't pan out and I've been relieved from Jury Duty.

My thinking is that a "purpose" for self is that which SERVES self.

As an example: the "purpose" of a bank teller -- from MY point of view -- is to help me make deposits and withdrawals. However, from the point of view of the bank teller, their "purpose" of being a bank teller is, perhaps, to earn a paycheck...with their PURPOSE FOR EXISTENCE is something else altogether.I think purpose originates with self, and yet to the degree that we become "self-less," we can learn to serve the purpose of others.


I present this distinction because I first want to talk about what I believe the "purpose" of the existence of the Universe is...from the Universe's "point of view". Which is: to have an Experience...a real complex one, which includes the life experiences of Everything That Is...past/present/future.

What ELSE would an all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal Entity do? Just sit there knowing everything and doing nothing?There's no doubt a myriad of levels of experience that God could easily pass through and thus experience "His nature." For example what does the experience of being the sun feel like? Probably "most sublime" ...


Of course, there are "sub-purposes"...like seeing what It can create THIS time...and the EVOLUTION of It's consciousness...and spirit(?).Even so the Universe seems to behave according to a pre-existing set of rules, and nothing really behaves as if from random.


The "purpose of the Universe" for us is as the Source of our Beingness...the Universe gave rise to us via NATURAL FORCES and INGREDIENTS.Yes, we are all "by-products" of the Universe.


Among those "ingredients"? CONSCIOUSNESS...always there as PART of the Universe...but "shuffled" in each "incarnation of the Universe" to give rise to different "things" ...which eventually get around to sending speculations to the Universe about what the Universe actually IS.

This might be OUR "purpose" from the Universe's point of view (that of helping the Universe understand ITSELF)...while, from our point of view, our "purpose" may be the same as that of our Source: to have an experience...to create something new ...to evolve ..and to be a source for other beings.Or, maybe the Universe just enjoys being appreciated? From the standpoint of that which is most similar, i.e., consciousness?


Who knows??? Perhaps through consciousness?

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
.

I think purpose originates with self, and yet to the degree that we become "self-less," we can learn to serve the purpose of others.

There's no doubt a myriad of levels of experience that God could easily pass through and thus experience "His nature." For example what does the experience of being the sun feel like? Probably "most sublime" ...

Even so the Universe seems to behave according to a pre-existing set of rules, and nothing really behaves as if from random.

Yes, we are all "by-products" of the Universe.

Or, maybe the Universe just enjoys being appreciated? From the standpoint of that which is most similar, i.e., consciousness?


Perhaps through consciousness?

Wish I could isolate quotes so that I could respond to them one by one (like others do) but I just don't know how and am, apparently, untrainable. So, let's take it from the top...

1. I was making the distinction between two perspectives of "purpose": that of one's OWN idea of one's purpose; and what OTHERS might think our purpose is for THEM.

I agree with you that we are here to serve others, as part of my personal purpose is to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

2. Using my decoder ring, I take it that when you say "God" you are referring to what I call the "living, conscious Universe". Even though I'm a Quaker and "Friends" throw the term "God" around a lot (and I do so, too, for the sake of discussing certain concepts in "their language"), I really do not much like the CONCEPT of "God" as it is put forth by many...that of an all-knowing, all-powerful Being that exists OUTSIDE the Universe...and is It's "creator".

And, since I'm here -- rather than among "Friends" -- I prefer to use MY lingo and say that the Universe ITSELF is having a very complex EXPERIENCE.

3. The Universe is an Entity with NATURAL PROCESSES and INGREDIENTS...among these is the element of RANDOMNESS...which I see as a sort of "gatekeeper" between that which HAS been manifested and that which could be manifested.

In other words, the Universe is a "sea of possibilities" with RANDOMNESS built in as a "lynchpin". And what "pulls the lynchpin"? I think it's INTENTION!

4. PRODUCTS ... not "by-products". I believe that in each incarnation of the Universe, it INTENDS that sentient beings such as we (only better!!!) evolve to ask questions and seek answers...among other things.

5. Yes: APPRECIATION over "worship" makes sense to me.

6. No one will ever know "everything" except the ONE Who is Everything That Is.

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
Wish I could isolate quotes so that I could respond to them one by one (like others do) but I just don't know how and am, apparently, untrainable. So, let's take it from the top...You know how to highlight something in bold don't you? Just isolate the the text that you want to put into quotes and place a in front of it and a [/quote'] after it. For example, [quote']Please put this line into quotes ...[/quote'] comes out to ... [quote]Please put this line into quotes ... Also notice the apostrophe within the brackets. This will have to be removed in order to get it to work properly. I had to modify this in order to show you how the code works, otherwise it would have put this other text into quotes as well.

[Iacchus32]

From the URLAT, http://www.probablefuture.com/matrix.htm ...

Most human entities spend their "waking" lives hypnotized by their sensory world, which gives them the illusion of a material reality "out there."

In reality, space and time are really nonexistent both at the level of Pure Aware Consciousness, and also at the level of the unaware "blind parts" that experience for It the illusion of creative thought within an illusory space/time construct called Creation.

Mankind rarely realizes that life is but a sensory illusion that gives experience and learning to Thought, and that the only reality is Thought Itself, which is forever evolving.

Consciousness can be defined as Awareness projected onto a vibratory Dream. Period. For Space/Time Creation it is but pure Dark lesser vibratory (conscious and subconscious) thought interacting more or less intensely with the inner Holographic Light/Thought Reality originating through the facets of The MATRIX ("Deep" of Genesis 1: 2).Oh my God! ... Is that you Lifegazer!?

[M. Gaspar]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
You know how to highlight something in bold don't you? Just isolate the the text that you want to put into quotes and place a [quote'] in front of it and a [/quote'] after it. For example, [quote']Please put this line into quotes ...[/quote'] comes out to ... Also notice the apostrophe within the brackets. This will have to be [quote']removed in order to get it to work properly.[/quote']
I had to modify this in order to show you how the code works, otherwise it would have put this other text into quotes as well.

WHEN do I do this? It can't be done when looking at your post.

And you can see above what happens when I try it when I'm typing MY post.

I know it can be done! What is my problem?

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
WHEN do I do this? It can't be done when looking at your post.

And you can see above what happens when I try it when I'm typing MY post.

I know it can be done! What is my problem? Okay I'm going to reply to your post above and, in order to show what the code looks like, I'm going to use the word "quotes" instead of "quote" within the brackets, in which case you'll need to drop the "s" in order to get it to function properly. The code should look similar to what I've laid out below, and also note how I formatted it with respect to spacing and what not. The actual quoted material will show up below that ...


Originally posted by M. Gaspar
WHEN do I do this? It can't be done when looking at your post.Line 1 ... This is my response to line 1 ...


And you can see above what happens when I try it when I'm typing MY post.Line 2 ... This is my response to line 2 ...


I know it can be done! What is my problem? Line 3 ... This is my response to line 3 ...
Like I said all you need to do is drop the "s" (in both instances) and it should show up correctly below ... and notice there are "three sets" of quotes (i.e., "s" x 6) ...


Originally posted by M. Gaspar
WHEN do I do this? It can't be done when looking at your post.Line 1 ... This is my response to line 1 ...


And you can see above what happens when I try it when I'm typing MY post.Line 2 ... This is my response to line 2 ...


I know it can be done! What is my problem? Line 3 ... This is my response to line 3 ...

[M. Gaspar]

I will attempt what you are advising after a day of prayer...

Meanwhile, let's not waste any more posts on my retardation.

[LogicalAtheist]

Originally posted by M. Gaspar
I will attempt what you are advising after a day of prayer...


WHAT?!?