Tag: Consciousness

When Light Freezes – A Vedic answer to the hard problem of consciousness

James Clerk Maxwell’s work on electromagnetism was among the most important scientific achievements of the nineteenth century. Yet his contemporaries were slow to appreciate and understand his work. One of the reasons Maxwell’s theory was unappreciated was the difficulty of understanding it within the prevailing scientific paradigm. It required a conceptual shift. Maxwell replaced the…… Continue reading When Light Freezes – A Vedic answer to the hard problem of consciousness

You’re Already in Hell, and Why That’s Good News

Few doctrines have done more to diminish faith in a loving God than the idea some people will suffer eternally with no hope of redemption. For many people, this isn’t an abstract theological puzzle, this is the image of a loved one lost forever. The doctrine’s moral repugnance and its prominence in the Christian tradition…… Continue reading You’re Already in Hell, and Why That’s Good News

The Hard Problem isn’t a Neuroscience Problem

Most people assume an explanation of consciousness will be in the language of neuroscience and dazzle us with details about how the brain works. But this is a symptom of a widespread metaphysical confusion. The challenge of the hard problem of consciousness cuts much deeper. It asks whether neuroscience is even the right explanatory domain.…… Continue reading The Hard Problem isn’t a Neuroscience Problem

Does it Matter if God exists?

Naturalism’s magic bubble. One of my readers on Medium recently posted an article asking two questions: Does it matter if any God or gods exist? And more importantly, does it matter to them that “we” exist? In all these discussions about God, we assume we’re using the word God to mean the same thing, but…… Continue reading Does it Matter if God exists?

Naturalism’s Dilemma: False or Meaningless? Pick one.

The popularity of modern naturalism relies on conflating a method with a metaphysics. The dazzling success of science is used to blind us to the naturalists hidden philosophical assumptions. Once those assumptions are exposed, metaphysical naturalism is revealed not as the most rational world view, but the dogmatic prejudice of the modern world. What is…… Continue reading Naturalism’s Dilemma: False or Meaningless? Pick one.

The Dynamic Life of Consciousness

Embracing the idealist worldview. What does it mean to say the substance of the world is conscious? Is idealism just an interesting philosophical theory with no practical relevance? Or does it turn our view of the world inside out, and illuminate the path to a fulfilling life? The dynamic life of consciousness Consciousness is a…… Continue reading The Dynamic Life of Consciousness

The Conscious Dimensions of Reality – A Vedic Analysis

Conscious experience is the essence of reality. Reality is that which is undeniable, and consciousness is exactly that. The very denial of consciousness presupposes its existence. Vedanta philosophy begins and ends with consciousness. According to Vedanta, consciousness encompasses four states or dimensions. Each dimension represents a deeper and more profound experience of reality. It’s important…… Continue reading The Conscious Dimensions of Reality – A Vedic Analysis

Why Consciousness is Such a Big Deal

Understanding the Spiritual World View. Consciousness is a hot topic these days, but most of the popular discussion misses the point. It either misunderstands the hard problem of consciousness, or sidesteps it. One example of the sidestep is found in neuroscientist Anil Seth’s book, Being You. He sets aside the hard problem of “why and how consciousness…… Continue reading Why Consciousness is Such a Big Deal