Exploring the Bizarre Nature of Consciousness: Simulation vs. Emergence
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Chapter 1: The Origins of Consciousness
At a fundamental level, there are primarily two, perhaps three, explanations for our self-awareness and consciousness—particularly as we experience pain and perceive our visual environment, including colors and thought processes.
On one hand, the laws governing physics, neuroscience, and information theory may collectively create the illusion of 'souls', allowing us to truly feel our thoughts and sensory experiences.
Alternatively, there might be a dualistic aspect at play, suggesting we are 'avatars' within a simulation or game. In this scenario, our 'souls' could originate from a deeper reality that inherently accommodates consciousness—potentially influenced by groundbreaking scientific discoveries or even a divine being.
Some, in a bid to make sense of it all, propose that consciousness is a fundamental trait of our universe, implying that everything possesses some degree of awareness—a notion reminiscent of concepts from Star Wars. However, I find this 'panpsychism' perspective unconvincing; it feels like a convenient escape. Fundamental entities should be simple and non-complex, like electrons. Many neuroscientists, myself included, view Integrated Information Theory (IIT) as pseudoscience.
Equally Absurd
In my view, the idea of consciousness stemming from an illusion is just as perplexing as the thought of our universe being a simulation. Both concepts are equally outlandish.
Why is this? It's astonishing that entities composed of atoms could interpret sensory input as genuine feelings. Likewise, the possibility that our universe is merely a simulation or that a deity exists is equally bizarre.
It’s challenging to argue against the notion that both theories present equally absurd possibilities. Regardless of the explanation, the reality of consciousness is undeniably strange.
It could either be a significant emergent property that modern science has yet to comprehend, or our everyday consciousness might indicate a dimension that transcends our current reality.
Chapter 2: The Simulation Hypothesis
The video titled "Craziest Police Sketches And Their Equally Crazy Stories" explores the absurdity of perceptions and realities, much like our discussion of consciousness. It reveals stories that are as bizarre as the nature of consciousness itself.
I find the simulation hypothesis to be quite compelling, though it's merely my personal stance. There are subtle indications of a simulated reality embedded in the laws of physics—such as quantum uncertainty acting as a means of computation optimization, and wave function collapse resembling immediate rendering processes. The Planck scale could be viewed as the resolution of this 'game'.
Conversely, there is no clear indication of how to generate the illusion of 'soulness' using the laws of physics, which sufficiently explain nearly every other known phenomenon, regardless of any future modifications.
If consciousness is indeed an illusion, one must question what entity is experiencing that illusion. I often say this, and recently, Elon Musk echoed this sentiment during a discussion with Lex Fridman.
Cognition versus Consciousness
Cognition undoubtedly creates a logical framework that enables us to respond in ways that promote survival. However, one must wonder why we don't simply act as mechanical responders to stimuli, devoid of genuine experience.
Biologically, one would expect this to be the case. We could be akin to David Chalmers' so-called 'philosophical zombies'—behaving like conscious beings without any true inner experience, despite our claims to the contrary.
All studies on neural correlates of consciousness align with both emergence and dualism theories, as these correlates of conscious experience are arguably necessary, even if we are mere avatars.
We find ourselves at an impasse. However, I believe the simulation hypothesis has the upper hand. There are hints suggesting a simulated existence, and consciousness is not just a trivial aspect of our human experience; it is arguably the most profound phenomenon in the universe.
This phenomenon begs for an explanation, whether within this reality or beyond it. It cannot simply be an illusion; it is far too vivid and immediate for that. Even if it emerges purely from physical processes, something extraordinary is occurring, and we are entirely in the dark about its nature.
Prominent thinkers like Penrose and Hameroff acknowledge that they cannot scientifically engage with the experience of consciousness, even through the lens of quantum decoherence. Furthermore, no cognitive processing can generate something that genuinely experiences illusions or pain.
Cognition alone cannot create soul-like experiences, as neuroscience operates through well-understood chemical physics that fundamentally represents information—much like the binary code in a computer.
Information representations do not spontaneously 'come to life' with feelings, visions, and illusions. This is almost as dubious as the claims made by the IIT perspective. Perhaps, scientifically speaking, emergence is even more far-fetched than the idea of a simulation.