One of the most exciting questions of our time is how we can replicate the complex activity in our brain (=higher consciousness) and whether this can lead to consciousness in computers. And what will these computers do with us? I find it somewhat frightening. First and foremost, I would like a very precise answer to the question what is our consciousness exactly. I sincerely hope that in addition to people working on AI (Artificial Intelligence), philosophers and ethicists join in the devolopment is this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higher consciousness in science is associated with more complex and less predictable brain activity. Neural activity (electrical currents between brain cells) is more diverse. This is associated with stronger magnetic fields in the brain (Prof. A. Seth, University of Sussex). Examples of lower states of consciousness you find during sleep, anesthesia and coma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another language you can say: Consciousness is an attentiveness that allows you to perceive; your thoughts, feelings, memories, sensations and environments. Thanks to this ability, you can know and evaluate yourself and others from a reference point. Consciousness can be seen as the experience of yourself and the world around you. You develop yourself in different contexts. Your experiences change. Your understanding of others and yourself changes. You connect with what is happening, both in Yourself; thinking, feeling and in your body, as well as Outside yourself and experience Interaction between them. My conviction is that there are a number of states of consciousness that are innate. And these can be strengthened or weakened. Access to different states of consciousness is not stable during your life course. As a baby for example, you do not experience a distinction between yourself and the world around you. This is devoloping over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who also wrote about consciousness are the Dutchmen Dick F. Swaab in his book ‘We are our brain’ and Ap Dijksterhuis in ‘The Smart Unconscious’, a bit further from home Antonio Damasio in his book, “The Feeling of What Happens” and there are many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My ‘old time favorite’, nobody can write it more beautiful and more pleasant then he can, is Oliver Sacks. The first book I read from him was ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat’. What a great title, through his books I started studying neuropsychology. He writes about much more than consciousness. He writes about cognitive functions (thinking and organizing functions of our brain). Such as for proprioception, the consciousness of our body. Which is the sense of knowing where parts of your body are located in space. Most of us only become aware of this when it is damaged, or when you lose an arm or leg and your proprioception still continues to do as if it still exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to consciousness. You can think of all kinds of structures to describe types of consciousness. I will do that in a next blog. There is infinitely much to say about consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What do you think should be said or asked about consciousness in this place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shine your light!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amar<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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