As I read the syllogism for property dualism I was struck with the gargantuan jump needed to get from 1 to 2, let alone 3 to 4. It simply asserts that consciousness is a necessary outcome in a world that is identical to ours. It manufactures (assumes) consciousness as a distinct entity.
As far as we can tell - given neuroscience and brain states - consciousness seems to emerge as a byproduct of the chemical/electrical interactions in our brain. While that is a remarkable (almost magical) occurrence, there is no evidence to suggest that consciousness occurs when those brain interactions end.
While somewhat unavoidable, it may be a mistake to speak about consciousness as a noun when it might just be an adjective. ;-)
I fully agree. I've always thought property dualism is at its core little more than a futile attempt to maintain some manufactured 'specialness' for consciousness by people who just can't accept Descartes was wrong. I have no doubt consciousness is a by-product (which is not to say it isn't absolutely amazing), as there is no evidence that it's anything else! Again - it's not to say consciousness isn't unbelievably amazing, but there's infinite beauty is in its existence itself; it doesn't require some otherworldly status to make it anymore amazing than it is. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
To your point: Amazing!! Consciousness, the very idea that the brain stores continuity of life through sleep, surgery, etc., is wild! But, so are the dances that honeybees do to lead other bees to nectar filled flowers. And clouds are wild too.
All I'm saying, and I suspect you agree, consciousness is one of a myriad of remarkable things we get to experience. They are the only things I consider sacred and, if the word must be used, spiritual! It is more than enough.
I coached soccer for all my kids. We would be practicing in the afternoon in Arizona. I would suddenly halt practice and tell the kids to look to the West at one of those stunning desert sunsets and say, "Look at that. Don't forget in all our business to notice things like this!"
Years later a former player (now close to 30 years old) messaged me on Facebook and said that they always remembered me doing that and that sunsets remind them of how much they enjoyed soccer. Mission accomplished!
Anyway.. sorry to blab on. As always enjoyed the ride.
As I read the syllogism for property dualism I was struck with the gargantuan jump needed to get from 1 to 2, let alone 3 to 4. It simply asserts that consciousness is a necessary outcome in a world that is identical to ours. It manufactures (assumes) consciousness as a distinct entity.
As far as we can tell - given neuroscience and brain states - consciousness seems to emerge as a byproduct of the chemical/electrical interactions in our brain. While that is a remarkable (almost magical) occurrence, there is no evidence to suggest that consciousness occurs when those brain interactions end.
While somewhat unavoidable, it may be a mistake to speak about consciousness as a noun when it might just be an adjective. ;-)
I fully agree. I've always thought property dualism is at its core little more than a futile attempt to maintain some manufactured 'specialness' for consciousness by people who just can't accept Descartes was wrong. I have no doubt consciousness is a by-product (which is not to say it isn't absolutely amazing), as there is no evidence that it's anything else! Again - it's not to say consciousness isn't unbelievably amazing, but there's infinite beauty is in its existence itself; it doesn't require some otherworldly status to make it anymore amazing than it is. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
To your point: Amazing!! Consciousness, the very idea that the brain stores continuity of life through sleep, surgery, etc., is wild! But, so are the dances that honeybees do to lead other bees to nectar filled flowers. And clouds are wild too.
All I'm saying, and I suspect you agree, consciousness is one of a myriad of remarkable things we get to experience. They are the only things I consider sacred and, if the word must be used, spiritual! It is more than enough.
I coached soccer for all my kids. We would be practicing in the afternoon in Arizona. I would suddenly halt practice and tell the kids to look to the West at one of those stunning desert sunsets and say, "Look at that. Don't forget in all our business to notice things like this!"
Years later a former player (now close to 30 years old) messaged me on Facebook and said that they always remembered me doing that and that sunsets remind them of how much they enjoyed soccer. Mission accomplished!
Anyway.. sorry to blab on. As always enjoyed the ride.