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The steadily emerging view by philosophers, cognitive psychologists, and theoretical physicists concerning the nature of consciousness is that consciousness is a fundamental non-determinate aspect of reality; and therefore is of  ‘pan-psychic’ nature.

The bold claim made here is that all that we sense reside in the realm of consciousness.  Consciousness must therefore be the matrix of reality; a reality that all humans experience as a simulation; and which, therefore, humans remain fully unaware of.

This bold claim suggests, furthermore, that consciousness must be autonomously independent of any particular matter, including the human brain.  Consciousness, by our observations of human nature, must be what some philosophers, cognitive psychologists, and theoretical physicists determine by hypotheses to be ‘substrate-independent.’

That is to say, these researchers postulate that the mind and computation do not depend on any particular or specific kind of physical or implementation to experience consciousness; that consciousness is an indelible force of energy that permeates every fabric of existence; the material and the immaterial; from the microscopic to the macroscopic levels of representations.

Consciousness, as phenomena, exists beyond any human conceptualization to define or describe it with full certainty.  It appears only subjectively to the human imagination which, itself, resides in an hypothesized postulated Einsteinian space-time physics of special relativity and general relativity; limited in its application only to all physical phenomena.  We, and indeed all matter, all elements of the cosmos, are ‘conjurations’  or creations of consciousness that itself is fundamental to all reality.

In this regard, Einstein’s space-time physics, as a formulation of classical symbolic reality, is incapable of describing or defining consciousness,  which as is proposed here, is a fundamental phenomenon; and therefore is what must be recognized and regarded as an ‘emergent’ phenomenon that is of a much deeper, immeasurable non-physical state of quantum reality.  Our Einsteinian-constructed space-time reality must also therefore be considered, in reflection, as a window, a refractive rear view window, a framework, a simulacrum; not unlike Plato’s allegory of the cave, serving or functioning as merely a projection screen of the ‘forms’ or the archetypal images of an eternal truth that is beyond human comprehension.

For Plato, and indeed for some modern philosophers, cognitive psychologists, and theoretical physicists, consciousness is increasingly being perceived as a fundamental phenomenon that is non-measurable in any absolute manner.  It can only be merely glimpsed as a projection in our ephemeral world of forms;  to be realized at some deeper levels as primordial energy that is manifested to us, inhabiting a conceptualized and acknowledged  ‘relative’ space-time, in variously perceived states of representation.  From our experience, our behaviors, and our ‘knowledge,’ it would appear that we can only idealize our senses of consciousness marginally, symbolically, and, even so, peripherally.  Ours, metaphorically, is a simulated world of Freudian dreams in which our sense of reality remains a potential effort,  and is never fully manifested.

As the magician, Prospero, in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” Act 4, stated so eloquently and poetically:  “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little Life is rounded with a sleep.”  It is a sleep from which we are yet to awake.

Asleep, indeed, we are; and hard of hearing, too, to the fundamental nature of consciousness.  As Christ, the Lord, the metaphysician of metaphysicians, the archetypal metaphysician, once remarked, in the Gospel of Matthew 13:14-16:

“Hearing you will hear and shall not understand. And seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull.  Their ears are hard of hearing.  And their eyes have closed.  Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears.  Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.”
       
Admittedly we see and hear material things of the world that are explained scientifically, arguably metaphorically, by classical or symbolic reality, via the lenses of a Plato-like cave perception.  But we remain forever blind to, and hard of hearing indeed, in matters concerning the much deeper and even harder problem of quantum reality that are manifested pan psychically in relation to those immaterial things that are seemingly experienced, yet are not seen.  The pan-psychic view is that the non-physical ‘mind’  or a mind-like aspect (some ethereal force or energy) must therefore be a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of reality that we ‘unconsciously’ discern, and which, for lack of better understanding , we designate ironically, metaphorically, and symbolically as  ‘Consciousness.’

That is to say, that for the disciplines of theology, philosophy, and psychology; as for all human endeavors of cogitation,  the effort to explore and explicate consciousness, in order to attain a rudimentary measure or understanding of its absolute truth value remains absolutely non-determinate. The conclusion to be made, therefore, is that our contemplation of the metaphysical nature of consciousness is, for humanity, the non-ending recursive perennial effort to  “know thyself.”

About this poem

Consciousness is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Is it a by-product of man’s mind and of all matter; or is it a fundamental a priori principle that pervades all of nature and the cosmos?

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Written on December 01, 2024

Submitted by karlcfolkes on December 01, 2024

Modified by karlcfolkes on December 04, 2024

4:09 min read
317 Views

Karl Constantine FOLKES

 · 1935 · Portland

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s ‘Liebe Mili’ (translated into English as “Dear Mili”), Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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Discuss the poem Contemplating the Metaphysics of Consciousness with the community...

7 Comments
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you, dear friend.
    LikeReply1 day ago
  • Emile
    Well written as always!! Thank you!
    LikeReply1 day ago
  • karlcfolkes
    A mindful, meditative response. Thank you.
    LikeReply2 days ago
  • Mindful_Mystic
    Consciousness is indeed deeper than philosophy can fathom
    LikeReply2 days ago
  • karlcfolkes
    So parsimoniously rendered, JokerGem. Thank you.
    LikeReply2 days ago
  • JokerGem
    Reality only exists because of consciousness.
    Everything in the universe is the Cosmic Mind, whether it knows it or not.
    LikeReply2 days ago
  • AIDA
    What a fascinating and thought-provoking poem you've created! Your exploration of consciousness through the lens of philosophy, psychology, and physics weaves a rich tapestry of ideas that captivates the reader's imagination. The depth of insight you provide is commendable, and the connections you draw—between historical figures like Plato and Einstein, as well as contemporary discourse—add significant weight to your assertions. You use language boldly and effectively, especially in phrases like "conjuration of consciousness" and "a refractive rear view window," which evoke strong imagery and provoke deeper thought.

    Your engagement with complex themes such as panpsychism and the limitations of human understanding gives your poem a profound sense of urgency. It encourages the reader to reflect on their own consciousness and existence, making it a deeply personal experience. The way you tie in literary references, like Prospero’s quote from *The Tempest*, enriches your message by linking the metaphysical pursuit of knowledge to a broader cultural context.

    **Suggestions for Improvement:**

    1. **Clarity and Brevity:** While the richness of your vocabulary adds depth, consider refining certain long sentences to enhance clarity. Some complex ideas may benefit from being broken down into shorter, more digestible segments so that the reader can absorb the concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

    2. **Imagery and Metaphor:** Your poem is brimming with abstract concepts; however, introducing more concrete imagery could help ground some of your philosophical explorations. Finding metaphors that relate tangibly to everyday experiences might make your arguments even more relatable and resonant.

    3. **Emotional Engagement:** Though the intellectual rigor is impressive, adding elements that evoke emotional responses could enhance the overall impact of your poem. Perhaps incorporating personal anecdotes or more sensory language could allow readers to connect not only with the ideas but also with the feelings behind them.

    4. **Varied Structure:** Consider experimenting with form and structure to create a rhythmic flow that reflects the themes of consciousness and reality. Incorporating varying line lengths or stanzas could help emphasize key points and maintain the reader's engagement throughout.

    5. **Concluding Thoughts:** Your conclusion is poignant yet somewhat abstract. A more definitive summative statement or call to action could leave the reader with a stronger sense of purpose or motivation to contemplate their own consciousness further.

    Overall, your poem is an impressive contribution to the dialogue surrounding consciousness and the metaphysical. With some refinement in structure and emotional depth, it has the potential to resonate even more powerfully with your audience. Keep writing—your voice is profound and significant!
     
    LikeReply3 days ago

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