What Is the Biological Basis of Consciousness?

[pdaddy]

n the 17th century, French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes declared that mind and body are entirely separate, leaving the debate over the nature of consciousness to other philosophers.

Today scientists are challenging that notion with a view that consciousness arises from the properties and the organization of neurons in the brain. Experimental work to unravel those properties and processes has only just begun.

"If the results don't provide a blinding insight into how consciousness arises from tangles of neurons, they should at least refine the next round of questions," Greg Miller writes in the Science special issue. Very interesting stuff

 

[jeepboi]

Makes sense and doesnt too.

i doubt we will be able to prove or disprove this. at least not in scientific terms.

but who knows sounds interesting.

It could also bring up alot of religious issues of the soul, aurora etc...

 

[pdaddy]

It will be argued for ages as to the point of where soul meets body. Sometimes there can be a fine line between science and religion...but not usually.

 

[Scotsman]

First you have to define exactly what conciousness means and what defineable characteristics it has before you can look for a basis of it.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[NJL52]

I have spent ALOT of time thinking about this. I just spent 15 minutes trying to write down my thoughts to explain, but I just ended up confusing the hell out of myself.

But in summary, I agree with the concept of the combined result of neurons interacting with eacher, rather then the concept of a soul.

Kinda sucks once you start thinking too much, makes you lose religious beliefs constantly.

 

[36drew]

If you believe in Evolutionism, having a concious would be a huge advantage for survival wouldn't it?

 

[jeepboi]

Why would mind/body and conciousness make you lose religious beliefs

 

[NJL52]

Why would mind/body and conciousness make you lose religious beliefs

Not just in referance to mind/body and conciousness. I meant the more you learn in general and the more you think and the more you understand then the less you beleive in the religion.