So, like the title asks: what creates consciousness? (other things that you may like to answer are: what is consciousness exactly, how does it operate, i.e. the underlying mechanisms if you believe that to be the case, and other things you wish to comment on). This is, of course, following an
objective view of reality, please, because I don't think a subjective world view would really be that helpful in answering this question, but if you wish to discuss such issues, just bring it up under the context of an objective reality or start a new topic and link it. Also, if anyone remembers older topics on this subject and can find them, feel free to link them too.
Pretty much, I'm looking to gather thoughts (lol, brainstorming session
) on not only any type of what may be considered 'consciousness' in an objective world, but if you can chip in on what you think a more complex system such as ourselves operate, that would be most helpful. With that I mean that if you think that everything has a bit of consciousness inherently in it, then just say that as one of the definitions in what you think is accurate of the objective world, hopefully going on to describe how what's considered the consciousness of human beings fit into the picture as that is what I hope the focus of this topic will be, but less complex systems of consciousness may just as well be explored, such as what the differences are. Perhaps too, what you think of computers, such as the differences between organic and inorganic matter in what may be in the makeup of consciousness, how continuity in space-time ties into anything, anything that may be considered more spiritual in nature can be put into the mix as well, etc.
Also, if you think that this is complete nonsense, then please at least express your reasons why you think that, otherwise I won't be able to learn from it. If you don't know, then just say you don't know and give your educated guesses at what would be probable considering your understanding of reality. For instance, I don't really know what creates the consciousness that is evident of human beings (nor other lifeforms for that matter), but I think it has something to do with a complex system of interacting components (abstracted from the level of the human body, organs, cells, molecules, to individual particles) in a certain way (perhaps through the patterns of movement of a signal) that have evolved overtime due to factors related to replication of certain input/output associations starting at a basic level, perhaps even fundamental level. How the specific mechanics of this system works, I'm not sure, and I'm even less sure of how consciousness emerges out of it the way a supposedly conscious individual such as myself experiences/possesses it. Heh, as if that weren't vague enough.
As limiting of a set of guidelines as that all sounds, it really isn't. I'm just putting it there in hopes that people will explain what they're saying and why. Ask questions, lots of questions, collaborate to find an answer that is suitable for the time being, it may not be correct, but it'll be closer than nothing I'm betting, then keep fine tuning with more questions. I'm going to hope that it will be like the rule on wikipedia:
ignore all rules. I don't want silly guidelines getting in the way of progress.
Now then, tell me what you think.
(or perhaps question what I think
)
EDIT: Also, material and input of a more technical nature is welcome, just try to provide some sort of documentation and explain it so that we can understand it and work with it. Technical material being what things you've perhaps researched in the laboratory, scientific papers and articles, equations describing the behavior of how consciousness works, etc. Use your judgment to discern what amount of referencing is appropriate (this goes for other stuff too, btw...). Thanks. ^_^
And if it helps for some people, pretend that this is all hypothetical, so you don't get disappointed if it goes against your core beliefs or something silly like that. Also, if you take offense to something such as this being discussed, pretend you never saw it, and feel free not to read it either.