I want to hear thoughts on consciousness. I have my own theories (on the matter of what it is and how it came about) and am quite resolute in that I think they are correct. But I've engaged enough with my own opinions for a lifetime, I want to hear others. Everyone seems to have a unique and interesting take on the matter. Is it's existence purely conceptual, or does it have some physical manifestation? Did it come about via evolution? How? If not, then how so? Is it something that exists only in humans, or do other animals have different levels of consciousness? Biological byproduct or an inherent force of the universe? If so, how did we harness it? Give me your thoughts. I may respond in kind if I feel so inclined.

  • Magician [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    1 year ago

    I think my consciousness is real and not a byproduct of what we currently understand as biology. I think there's an essence to living creatures that makes their existence and experience real.

    I think even if I'm only a brain in a jar somewhere, that the things around me exist and harming them harms me too.

    I think consciousness lives on after death. It may be absent for a period of indeterminate time, but I don't think it's ever truly gone.

    I don't know the how of any of this except for my own consciousness though. I cannot see my consciousness permanently ending. I don't know if that's good or bad yet, but if I have an infinite amount of time to think on it, maybe I'll know eventually.

    I don't think it's selfish to say that I don't know if other consciousnesses will live on, but I can only speak to my own inability to understand nonexistence. Who knows? Maybe it'll click for me and the consciousness I call me will disappear.

    I can't say with any proof that any other life I encounter is even real, let alone conscious, but I have no reason to believe anyone is less real or conscious, or deserving of compassion. It's not even my place to judge.

    I hate the thought terminating cliches that come with simulation theories, but I appreciate how quickly it exposes someone.

    If I found out I wasn't truly conscious, that I was artificial or incomplete in some way, I could still find ways to be happy enough.

    All this to say, the only conscious experience I have is my own, and whether it's from neurons running a complex programming code, a soul, or the fragment of some larger entity, the person writing this is conscious enough to say they're conscious.