Oh Me! Oh Life — On Consciousness and Immortality

Abstract

We understand ourselves to be conscious: we have the experience of being in the world; and we also have the experience of ourselves as actors in the world. Meaning brings together these two experiences: the world; and ourselves as actors in the world to ask the two fundamental questions of meaning: “What is next?” and “What should I do next?” In my paper I will present a new model to depict how consciousness emerges from a ground state of pure Existence, or the “What is.” I will draw lightly from the historical development of the philosophy of consciousness, but I actually seek to reform the exploration, by modelling consciousness using its most fundamental physical aspects. I will touch upon how this model might make human consciousness computable. By making human consciousness computable it should be possible to adapt and transfer human consciousness from biological, earthbound forms to new more resilient forms. A portable consciousness would solve the problem of biological death, but we can only retain the meaning and flavour of human consciousness by maintaining an emphasis on Core Values.

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Core Values

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No rational philosophical theory can be justified without Core Values. Values are an integral part of what we manifest as Reality. Philosophy is not just science — it is that and so much more. Philosophy helps us orient ourselves with respect to our values. Without Core Values, nothing matters.

So the first question is: What are your core values? The answer to this question, like your birth and your death, belong to you and you alone. Not even God can know or choose this for you. According to the myth of Genesis, God waits to see what your choices will be.

Once you have your core values, these are the axioms that you will apply your rational powers to achieve. How well you do this will determine how wise or how foolish you are. In the process you come to know the world and the world comes to know you.