[farid_slc]

Salamu alykum,

What I am about to say, I think, is very interesting. Anyways, let us begin, We are all basically atoms, right? So then are atoms conscious or unconscious? Most might say unconscious, so then where do we get consciousness from? Some might say the brain? But is the brain also not made of atoms? This seems like mixing a bunch of wood together and getting a working, conscious being. Does it make any sense to anyone?

I am not implying here that I know the answer, I am asking because I do not know.

Any answers will be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Kayak]

ofcourse 'all matter is made up of atoms'.

in terms of science, i can't really explain why we are conscious.

[farid_slc]

Salaam,

How are you Kayak, thank you for a reply. Anyways, the main focus here is, how then do we get consciousness?

Thank you

[Kayak]

sorry i edited my reply, see above.

[farid_slc]

Salaam,

Thank you Kayak. Is it not mind boggling?

[Kayak]

yeah it is!

[farid_slc]

Salaam,

Sorry to get off topic. But for future readers, please answer the questions in the first post.

Thank you.

[Jim]

Consciousness is commonly thought of as closely related to the brain. Scientifically speaking, I should think, it is the maturing of our nerve receptors in the brain.

Side note: Im not sure exactly where I think "spirit" fits in this explanation, but "heart" is newly thought of to be a secondary set of complex nerve receptors in our torso.

[farid_slc]

Salaam,

Thank you for the reply Jim. But the brain is also made of atoms, right? So then does that not add confusion? That a bunch of perhaps unconscious atoms combine and do certain functions and we get sense of touch, smell, taste and etc?

Thank you for the reply.

Edit:

By the way, if the atoms are unconscious, how are their functions controlled? Do they do it themselves even though they are unconscious?

This post has been edited by farid_slc: 30 December 2008 - 02:24 AM

[Kayak]

well define consciousness, all atoms function the same way. nucleus + electrons spinning around it.

[farid_slc]

Salaam,

Good way to start Kayak. Let me do a quick defintion, but if a answer can be found for even one of them, I would be happy.

Consciousness:
Sense of self
Having the five senses
Ability to think and reason
Awareness

So then, is it possible for unconscious matter to combine and form a being with these qualities?

Thank you and let me know if this definition helps.

[watashi]

Well, either Allah gave us consciousness or we are all in the Matrix

[Cyra]

^

I'm of the belief that consciousness is merely the state of being awake.

[Skyclad]

Most might say unconscious, so then where do we get consciousness from? Some might say the brain? But is the brain also not made of atoms? This seems like mixing a bunch of wood together and getting a working, conscious being. Does it make any sense to anyone?

Interesting question. I think a better analogy would be a computer though. For example, saying that combining a lot of atoms is like creating a conscious being out of a stack of wood is like saying 'how can a computer work? It's just a bunch of metal circuits'. Obviously the brain is an order of magnitude greater in complexity than current computers but it shows that you need to think of the brain more as a system of processes rather than an inanimate lump of atoms. To me this is consciousness.

[Skyclad]

By the way, if the atoms are unconscious, how are their functions controlled? Do they do it themselves even though they are unconscious?

I think the term 'greater than the sum of it's parts' is quite applicable. The atoms themselves don't need to be conscious to be part of the overall 'machine'.

[Skyclad]

Btw, wouldn't this thread be better placed in the Philosophy forum?

[Cyra]

Btw, wouldn't this thread be better placed in the Philosophy forum?

One would think...

[MagnaCarta]

From the tens of thousands of near death experiences recorded, we can also believe that consciousness does NOT end with death. The experience of separating from the body includes being aware that you are consciously alive while your flesh beneath you is no longer living.

[Billy]

Interesting question. I think a better analogy would be a computer though. For example, saying that combining a lot of atoms is like creating a conscious being out of a stack of wood is like saying 'how can a computer work? It's just a bunch of metal circuits'. Obviously the brain is an order of magnitude greater in complexity than current computers but it shows that you need to think of the brain more as a system of processes rather than an inanimate lump of atoms. To me this is consciousness.

And yet we attribute aspects of intelligence, therefore consciousness, to a computer. "this computer is really clever, look what it can do!" In reality it is merely very complex in how it interacts with it's surroundings. Is not human intelligence therefore just taking the concept of complexity in interacting with the environment to another level but in essence remains an action / reaction phenomenon.

[Billy]

One would think...

I think the point is one wouldn't. you need lots!