Is consciousness fundamental
First off note that the content of this post is from this article by Annaka Harris
Summary
This article by Annaka Harris argues that consciousness is not merely a product of complex brain processes but is instead a fundamental aspect of reality itself. She challenges the conventional view that consciousness arises only in complex systems like the human brain, highlighting how neuroscience and physics suggest that our understanding is based on misleading intuitions.
Harris explores the implications of split-brain research and unconscious brain processes, suggesting that our traditional reliance on self-reporting to determine consciousness is flawed. She also critiques the idea that consciousness evolved purely for survival advantages, pointing out that many responses to stimuli occur before conscious awareness.
Drawing from modern physics—especially the work of Carlo Rovelli and Lee Smolin. Harris presents a perspective in which reality itself is relational rather than objective. If consciousness is fundamental, then every experience in the universe is shaped by interactions, making an objective “outside view” impossible. She ties this to quantum mechanics, where particles exist relationally rather than as independent objects.
Ultimately, Harris proposes that consciousness is not a byproduct of physical processes but the intrinsic nature of everything. If true, our perceptions may not be of static objects but rather interactions between different conscious experiences. This perspective challenges traditional scientific models and suggests a paradigm shift in how we approach reality.
This ties beautifully into my fascination with consciousness and panpsychism.
How does this view align my thoughts on the subject?
I find that Harris’s perspective resonates with my own beliefs about the interconnectedness of all things. If consciousness is indeed fundamental, it suggests that every entity in the universe has some form of awareness or experience. This aligns with the panpsychist view that consciousness is not limited to humans or complex organisms but is a property of all matter.
Furthermore, the idea that our perceptions are shaped by interactions rather than static objects challenges the traditional scientific approach. It invites a more holistic understanding of reality, one that acknowledges the role of consciousness in shaping our experiences. This perspective encourages me to explore the implications of consciousness beyond the confines of the human mind and consider its role in the broader tapestry of existence.
For instance Harris’s analogy: But the truth is that the activity of the brain and its related experience is much more analogous to an ocean wave than to a static object. When we look out at the ocean, we can perceive the waves—and agree to call them “waves”—while understanding that there is no static thing that is a wave. Fits reality well.
If felt experience is the intrinsic nature of everything in the universe then conscious experiences are the only things that are “real”— that exist. Red pill Vs Blue pill thought come to mind here 🦹
