Originally posted by MajinVegeta
What are the characteristics of self-awareness? Note that self awareness could be knowing what you're doing and where you are, why and the sort.
DL: Probably the basic condition is a layering system (several tissu's type) related to the available observation system(s). The different parameters will need to work in synergy (thus interconnected) and able to store (fix) several values in a QM-type of context. So evaluation is essential (what is my priority now ... shall I open the box and see if the cat became Mickey Mouse).
So store superpositions (possibility to forget = protect the system against overflow ... make it wave) and ability to remember (open directory ... load ... back a particle that activates an intermediar -> since knowledge is transferable without losing the information).
This system (probably forgot some layers) gives the observer the system to evaluate his surrounding and thus awareness of his position in the surrounding.
The observations system maybe non-intellectual (parasympathetic nerve system or vegetative ns) such as: I NEED FOOD!!! This can be the type of awareness animals have (if we think they have no self-awareness).
Self-awareness (Consciousness) is - I think - related to the possibility to make choices and evaluations which go above the instincts (= evolutionary programmed awareness), and the freedom to say 'NO'. It has to do with the possibility to predict /preview/ calculate steps in the time frame which is not related to the immediate 'Now-Situation'.
It also has to do with the ability the connect non-physical values to physical events (Art : a painting of Chagall, letters to poems, music ) and auto-created reality (humor, , absurdity, ... and a transcendental reality). ... that's enough for now ... I can go for hours and hours like this ..;-)
Originally posted by MajinVegeta
First one should define "alive" from a general persepective, since the definition of "alive" is highly contrevetial, then define what could posess self-awareness.
One important point that could draw the line from natural awareness and artificial awareness is how something comes to the conclusion of its whereabouts. Do you agree?
DL: Yes. Artificial awareness can probably be reached by creating Quantum numbers, symbols and alphabet which make it possible to add quality to the measure systems. For example that way numbers can have colors representing choices. That way you can counts apples, eggs and oranges and still locate them after all type of calculations. Such approach makes it possible to build real quantum computers.
The nice thing is that where in nature we try to find out how QM work from the downside up, in such approach we acts as Gods ourselves and can make the rules from the top.
Originally posted by M. Gaspar
"Matter" is "constructed" of atoms which are "constructed" of elementary particles (which are "constructed" of...?), etc. In other words, the "building blocks of matter" EXISTED in the Universe...having "come out of", presumably, the "Primal Sigularity".
I speculate that CONSCIOUSNESS was there, also, condensed down -- like everything else from the PRIOR INCARNATION of the UNIVERSE -- into the "Primal Singularity". When the Singularity "blew"...consciousness "fragmented" too...and has spent these subsequent eons to coallesce, once again, via processes as natural as gravity and its effect on matter.
By the way, the "beauty of the painting" is not a characteristic of anything...it's a PERCEPTION/INTERPRETATION by an OBSERVER.
DL: Essential in this discussion: the Relativity of the Observer. Depending from his POSITION in the matter/spiritual level his surrounding (his world of reality) contains other parameters which seems to be important. This gives a level of OVERVIEW. If you have no overview the surrounding becomes paradoxical. (Cfr. the QM explanation of the quantum leap = the search for overview).
The separation of "matter" and "spiritual" is only the description of two other layers of interconnectedness.
Example: A sheep, milk, skin, hair, and ....
The sheep is the isolated unity on our 3D world of animals. (knowledge level)
But "MY" sheep is called Bonny = specific unity in my garden. (personal daily level)
The sheep has a skin, if we transform it, it becomes LEATHER. We can make shoes of it.
The sheep has Hair, if we transform it, it becomes WOOL.
For the observing farmer the sheep his another signification then for the observing manufacture of shoes. Without the existence of sheeps the shoe manufacturer could not make sheep-shoes.
LEVEL of consciousness: So the manufacture and the farmer are conscious about the various possibility the sheep and his related sub-elements have in THEIR WORLD. But the sheep has a LOWER level of consciousness. When it sees the (fancy sheep-leather made) shoes of the farmer it will have no degree of consciousness that those might made out of sheep leather. The sheep just wants food, water, some sex, housing to protect itself against the rain, sun and ... the big bad wolf.
A painting of sheeps has only (artistic) SIGNIFICATION for humans because the higher level gives OVERVIEW.
So: the the Relativity of the Observer.
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