This theory says that consciousness is generated by matter i. The reflexive universe evolution of consciousness by young, arthur m. Integrating the findings of modern science with ancient wisdo. Rethinking the evolution of consciousness thomas w. Reflexive selfconsciousness is a concept, related to that of enlightenment, formulated by eugene halliday during the 1940s1950s in england. It incorporates light as the first principle, makes use of quantum mechanics, builds in a theory of evolution in which man is set apart, and projects other, higher orders of being. Arthur young on light and choice reflexive universe page 1 arthur younglightandchoicerefuniv. Within the reflexive model such parallels between physical and psychological phenomena are to be expected for the reason that the entire phenomenal world is part of consciousness. We proposed in the mid 1990s that consciousness depends on biologically orchestrated coherent quantum processes in collections of microtubules within brain neurons, that these quantum processes correlate with, and regulate, neuronal synaptic and membrane. Pdf on nov, 2017, harry donkers and others published beknopte.
The purpose of all spiritual practices and especially the practices of meditation is to lead this available consciousness to soar higher and higher in the infinite sky of superconsciousness and to facilitate its plunging into the deepest ocean of subconsciousness. Consciousness, causality, and quantum physics consciousness here, there and everywhere. The shape of the universe and maximum speed of tachyons. Referring to its own actions, an aspect of consciousness. In this thesis, i show how consciousness correlates with the nature and complexity of associated neural processes, applying arthur youngs reflexive arc of evolution to discover how and why reflexive consciousness develops in systems of matter, from subatomic particles to the human brain. Dogs may not be aware of many of the things we are aware of. Reflexive awareness consciousness, selfconsciousness.
Theories of consciousness as reflexivity frederic peters research fellow psychology department university of new england armidale, nsw, australia introduction consciousness is best understood in context, as one element of an interactive waking state in which the greater part of cognitive processing takes place in a nonconscious fashion. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Stars may be thinking entities that deliberately control their paths. Consciousness is central also to understanding, meaning and volitional choice with the experience of free will. In reflexive selfconsciousness he sets out not only the nature of this consciousness, but also its relation to the world of phenomena, to the nature of being, and in particular, to mankind. Our views of reality, of the universe, of ourselves depend on consciousness. Young, an iconoclastic genius who invented the first, commercially licensed helicopter and later became a philosopher of cosmology and process theory. All of the great teachers throughout the history of our species have merely taught one thing, over and over, in whatever language, at whatever time. Introduction cosmic evolution, the idea that the universe and its constituent parts are.
Polger department of philosophy program in brain and mind studies university of cincinnati cincinnati, oh 452210374 usa thomas. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Evolution of the universe secret consciousness youtube. I feel fortunate that one of my mentors has been arthur m. The reflexive universesynopsisi feel fortunate that one of my mentors has been arthur m. An alternative, reflexive model is proposed in which the external phenomenal world is viewed as part of consciousness rather than apart from it. So what actually evolves on a grand scale is truly our consciousness. Consciousness in the universe consciousness implies awareness. To confine our consciousness to the consideration of the finite objects of. Youngs theory embraces evolution and the concept of the great chain of being. It is to become consciousness itself, and reflexively selfconsciously so. There are few theories that try to explain the consciousness. This book, written with giulio tononi, is the culmination of a series of works by gerald edelman on the workings of the brain which include neural darwinism and bright air, brilliant fire.
He views the universe not as a structure, but as an interrelated process put into motion by purpose. Throughout his work, he seeks to establish points of contact with the scientifically oriented mind, attempting to win a hearing from science as well as philosophy. In todays world the mystery of consciousness is a challenge for physicists, cognitive scientists, and neuroscientists. The notion of a conscious universe sounds more like the stuff of late night tv than academic journals. Examination of the self can be achieved through reflective consciousness. Youngs theory of process takes for granted einsteins observation that, truly, we can no longer speak about.
Text reflexive selfconsciousness working on layout done. The notion that consciousness is necessary, or at any rate useful in the performance of complex tasks, particularly when these are novel, or require flexibility is a recurring theme in subsequent. The idea of consciousness is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. Evolution of the universe secret consciousness it is a fact that the human mind contains all the secrets of the evolutionary process of nature. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Evolution of consciousness at the turn, new reason to hope. The term consciousness is merely a label for many separate phenomena. The nature of consciousness, the mechanism by which it occurs in the brain, and its ultimate place in the universe are unknown. In doing so, he endeavors for an inclusiveness that spans the entire gamut of human experience and knowledge. Before we can begin to consider the evolution of consciousness, we have to ask when consciousness first arose. One of the central themes of this extraordinary work is that each successive organization of matter, from fundamental particles in physics to living organisms, expresses a particular stage in the evolution of mind. The reflexive universe is my favorite example of a science fantasy, where the author a mathematician and helicopter designer employs scientific concepts to explore his intuitions, in this case first published in 1976, the ideas are timeless and remain fresh. His first encounter with arthur youngs theory of process was in 1979 with youngs books the reflexive universe and the geometry of meaning. The evolution of consciousness university of maryland.
More ambitious than the geometry of meaning, this is youngs attempt at a grand cosmology which he describes as a theory of process. Arthur young, in his book the reflexive universe, aims to develop a theory of the evolution of the universe, and by universe we are referring principally to the one of which man is a part. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Giltlettered blue cloth spine, blue papered boards. Monism is the view that the universe, at the deepest level of analysis, is one thing, or composed of. Arthur young, in his book the reflexive universe, aims to develop a theory of the evolution of the universe, and by universe we are referring principally to the one of which man. Consciousness continues to exist in a parallel universe consciousness is something fundamental to nature it is stitched into the very fabric of reality. To become conscious of our source is to become conscious of the source of all being and all consciousness. Consciousness also implies a sense of self, feelings, choice, control of voluntary behavior, memory, thought, language, and e. The selfconscious animal how human minds evolved aeon. This does not deny its existence as a factor in evolution.
Consciousness, brain and evolution consciousness implies awareness. The result is the sort of architecture depicted in figure 1, in which. Evolution, neuroscience, parallel universes as want to read. It is to be contrasted with two other sorts of reflexive awareness.
Called by its formal academic name, though, panpsychism turns out. Arthur young, in his book the reflexive universe, aims to develop a theory of the. We are an incomprehensibly tiny speck in the universe. He set out his concept in his book, reflexive selfconsciousness, which, having been circulated in softback format for many years, was published in hardback in 1989 by melchisedec press, isbn 1872240011. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The consciousness revolution is personal, its happening inside of you right now, not out there somewhere. Contains rare early helicopter footage, interviews with young and his. First, there was the evolution of systems which generate integrated firstorder sensory representations, available to conceptualised thought and reasoning. The hypothesis of the origin of consciousness is built upon the unique properties of the mammalian neocortex. Is an animal such as a dog, for example, conscious. Man naturally thinks of himself as the center of the universe and the focal point of creation. The apical dendrites of the pyramidal cells bundle together as they ascend to lamina i to form neural receptor units of approximately 100 apical dendrites plus branches receiving hundreds of thousands of excitatory synapses, the collective assemblage being called a.
Permaculture designer andrew faust of center for bioregional living gives us an inspiring and heady narrative about the evolution of all life and human consciousness on mother earth. A 56minute documentary about the life and work of arthur young. Reflections on the reflexive universe spirit alchemy. The account of the evolution of pconsciousness generated by dispositionalist hot theory proceeds in two main stages. Halliday begins, in his prologue, by examining the meaning of the related terms sentience, consciousness, feeling, sensation, and awareness. In this paper, we have developed a unified theory of i how consciousness devolves into the cosmic mind, how the cosmic mind expresses into the five fundamental factors, providing the constituents of the physical universe, how the universe comes into being and. A protoconsciousness field could extend through all of space, he argues. How matter becomes imagination is the title of a 2000 book by biologists gerald maurice edelman and giulio tononi. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel.
Evolution of consciousness revised by young, arthur m. Consequently, the phenomena we call physical are just a subset of the things we experience. Arthur middleton young november 3, 1905 may 30, 1995 was an american inventor. Many thousands of lives have been saved as a result of his revolutionary invention.
The theory of process contained in the reflexive universe places consciousness within the context of contemporary science. Evolution biology, science, consciousness, consciousness, evolution, philosophy, science. The reflexive universe we have discussed similarities between the left and right sides of the arc. Yet one of our most important biological traits, consciousness, is rarely studied in the context of evolution.
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