The article delves into the intricate relationship between the mind, brain, and body, emphasizing that the mind is not static but an ongoing construction influenced by external sensory data, internal bodily signals, and past experiences. It challenges traditional views that assign specific mental functions to distinct brain regions, instead arguing […]
Evolution of Consciousness
22 posts
The Supraconsciousness Network presents the Integrated Theory of Consciousness, which posits that a singular, infinitely energetic substance underlies the universe, encompassing six interdependent properties: matter, energy, space, time, consciousness, and intelligence. This theory integrates concepts from quantum mechanics, general relativity, and evolutionary biology to propose that consciousness is not merely […]
In “The Paradox of Self-Consciousness,” Markus Gabriel examines the intricate relationship between self-awareness and our understanding of consciousness within the broader context of the universe. He argues that self-consciousness presents a fundamental paradox: as we reflect on our own thoughts and experiences, we inevitably alter our mental state, complicating our […]
In “The Language of Mind,” David Chalmers discusses the complexities of consciousness, particularly in relation to both human and AI systems. He distinguishes between the “hard problem” of consciousness—understanding how subjective experiences arise from neural processes—and the “meta-problem,” which examines why we perceive consciousness as a problem at all. Chalmers […]
In “Evolution and the Transcendence of Mind,” Theodore Roszak critiques conventional Darwinian views of evolution as a mindless process driven solely by random genetic variation and natural selection. He argues for a more nuanced understanding that recognizes a “vertical” evolution towards greater complexity and consciousness, as exemplified by the human […]
Recent research published in NeuroImage reveals that romantic partners exhibit greater synchronization in both behavior and brain activity compared to close friends when processing emotions together. The study, involving 25 couples and 25 pairs of close friends, utilized EEG hyperscanning to measure neural synchronization while participants watched emotionally charged videos. Findings indicate […]
The article discusses the hypothesis that consciousness may have evolved primarily to enhance social interactions rather than simply to benefit individual survival. According to neuropsychologists Peter Halligan and David Oakley, consciousness facilitates the communication of thoughts and emotions, thereby promoting social cohesion and collective well-being. This perspective shifts the focus […]
A study from Northwestern University has revealed that the brain’s structural features may exist near a critical point, akin to a phase transition. This point is characterized by high complexity and is observed in various organisms, including humans, mice, and fruit flies. Researchers found that brain samples exhibited properties associated […]
The article presents a concise argument against the materialist account of the mind, emphasizing the distinction between subjective thoughts and physical brain states. It references John Searle’s Chinese Room scenario to illustrate that while computers can process information syntactically, they lack genuine understanding or consciousness. The author proposes a thought […]
In an interview, Dr. Michael Egnor discusses the limitations of materialism in explaining consciousness and the nature of reality. He argues that materialism, which posits that everything can be explained by physical processes, fails to account for the subjective experiences of consciousness and the existence of free will. Egnor emphasizes […]
Peter Godfrey-Smith’s article, “Living on Earth,” serves as the conclusion to his trilogy exploring the evolution of intelligence across species, building on the themes introduced in his previous works, including Other Minds. In this piece, he emphasizes the role of living organisms as active agents that shape their environments, rather than […]
The article discusses how neuroscience is shedding light on spiritual experiences, with neurotheologist Dr. Andrew Newberg explaining that while there is no single “spiritual” part of the brain, these experiences involve complex interactions between various brain regions that typically don’t occur in the same way. Newberg notes that while spontaneous […]