Human consciousness continues to be mystery and its exact nature continues to elude scientists, philosophers and theologians.
How can the physical and human world translate into something as intimate ~ and as seemingly inexplicable ~ as a first-person experience?
Can we say anything objective about human consciousness?
20 Feb 22
2 edits
@fmf saidCan we say anything objective about human consciousness?
Human consciousness continues to be mystery and its exact nature continues to elude scientists, philosophers and theologians.
How can the physical and human world translate into something as intimate ~ and as seemingly inexplicable ~ as a first-person experience?
Can we say anything objective about human consciousness?
IMO The short answer is "No" Human consciousness is not something that can be measured. Since this is the spirituality section, I'll add a quote from one of my bible study teachers of the past: "It is only through life and consciousnesses that matter can begin to understand its creator"
20 Feb 22
@fmf saidWhat is unconsciousness?
Human consciousness continues to be mystery and its exact nature continues to elude scientists, philosophers and theologians.
How can the physical and human world translate into something as intimate ~ and as seemingly inexplicable ~ as a first-person experience?
Can we say anything objective about human consciousness?
Consciousness is the awareness of the existence of body, mind and spirit. Could all be one and the same.
Cogito, ergo sum.
20 Feb 22
@josephw saidWell, of the body and mind, anyway.
What is unconsciousness?
Consciousness is the awareness of the existence of body, mind and spirit. Could all be one and the same.
Cogito, ergo sum.
20 Feb 22
@avalanchethecat saidThe difficult thing about this type of question is how we start when pondering the answer. Clearly we have bodies completely material but what we are talking about is not material.
Well, of the body and mind, anyway.
So can we mix the proper chemicals in the right combination in the right order in the right environment and get a thinking individual? If something more is required for this than all time ever in every possible combination will never get there, no matter how long we study it.
It would like understanding a book while only seeing the chemical makeup of paper and ink.
20 Feb 22
@kellyjay saidI'm not saying there isn't a soul or spirit - I'm not convinced there is, but that's beside the point - what I'm saying is that consciousness does not involve an awareness of it.
The difficult thing about this type of question is how we start when pondering the answer. Clearly we have bodies completely material but what we are talking about is not material.
So can we mix the proper chemicals in the right combination in the right order in the right environment and get a thinking individual? If something more is required for this than all time ever ...[text shortened]... dy it.
It would like understanding a book while only seeing the chemical makeup of paper and ink.
20 Feb 22
@avalanchethecat saidWhy do you think that, doesn’t being aware mean being consciously aware of everything?
I'm not saying there isn't a soul or spirit - I'm not convinced there is, but that's beside the point - what I'm saying is that consciousness does not involve an awareness of it.
20 Feb 22
@kellyjay saidIf we were consciously aware of our soul or spirit, there would be no argument as to whether or not we have one.
Why do you think that, doesn’t being aware mean being consciously aware of everything?
20 Feb 22
@avalanchethecat saidHaving consciousness does not necessitate that it is aware of everything about what we are.
If we were consciously aware of our soul or spirit, there would be no argument as to whether or not we have one.
Five physical senses, one consciousness. Perception and perspective.
Our consciousness gives us awareness of our selves and the environment we exist in, materially.
The spirit gives us consciousness of God. It's what distinguishes us from plants and animals.
20 Feb 22
@josephw saidNo, what gives you consciousness of god is the bible. You claimed that "consciousness is the awareness of the existence of body, mind and spirit". I am conscious, however I don't feel any awareness of 'spirit'. I feel an awareness of my mind and body.
Having consciousness does not necessitate that it is aware of everything about what we are.
Five physical senses, one consciousness. Perception and perspective.
Our consciousness gives us awareness of our selves and the environment we exist in, materially.
The spirit gives us consciousness of God. It's what distinguishes us from plants and animals.
20 Feb 22
@avalanchethecat saidYou are aware of who you are, if that isn’t your soul, your personhood, your being what is it?
If we were consciously aware of our soul or spirit, there would be no argument as to whether or not we have one.
20 Feb 22
@avalanchethecat saidNo, the Bible is a book, or more precisely sixty six books. The reality of God is not confined to just that book and those who believe in it. If there were no Bible the reality of God would still be true even if none of us were also not here. Our faith in God rests in God, not just because the Bible says so. The written Word brings clarity but the Spirit of God is something we can taste and see that the Lord is good.
No, what gives you consciousness of god is the bible. You claimed that "consciousness is the awareness of the existence of body, mind and spirit". I am conscious, however I don't feel any awareness of 'spirit'. I feel an awareness of my mind and body.
20 Feb 22
@kellyjay saidThat's one opinion. Another is that your concept of god comes directly from the mythology detailed in the bible. If you'd never read it, never been taught it's content, you wouldn't know anything about your god. There's no 'reality' to your god without the books which give you that reality.
No, the Bible is a book, or more precisely sixty six books. The reality of God is not confined to just that book and those who believe in it. If there were no Bible the reality of God would still be true even if none of us were also not here. Our faith in God rests in God, not just because the Bible says so. The written Word brings clarity but the Spirit of God is something we can taste and see that the Lord is good.
20 Feb 22
@kellyjay saidWho I am is my mind and my body. There may or may not be a 'spirit' or 'soul' involved, but if there is, I am not able to perceive it directly. Can you?
You are aware of who you are, if that isn’t your soul, your personhood, your being what is it?
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20 Feb 22
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Who I am is my mind and my body. There may or may not be a 'spirit' or 'soul' involved, but if there is, I am not able to perceive it directly. Can you?
Most of us cannot at first.
Many sense that there is something missing to them.
But they do not know what it is.
Others deal with the matter by insisting there is nothing missing to them.
But to be able to develop the skill of discerning the spirit from the soul and the soul from the spirit requires that you allow the living word of God to penetrate and help you discern.