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Published Aug 5, 2023

A Guide To The Fundamental Mystery Of The Mind - Erik Hoel | Modern Wisdom 663

Erik Hoel delves into the enigmatic nature of consciousness, discussing Descartes' influence, the bicameral mind theory, and the evolving understanding of free will, while challenging conventional neuroscience to adopt new paradigms for unraveling the mind's mysteries.
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  • Free Will

    The debate on free will is deeply intertwined with our understanding of consciousness. challenges the reductionist view that our actions are merely the result of atomic interactions, suggesting that the theory of causal emergence offers a more nuanced perspective 1. He argues that many assumptions against free will are based on outdated metaphysical beliefs, which recent scientific advancements have begun to challenge 2.

    If you look down at these really basic assumptions behind a lot of the we obviously don't have free will or so on. What you'll find is things that are extremely debatable.

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    Hoel emphasizes that while science has not yet provided definitive answers, it has opened up new avenues for understanding the complexities of free will 2.

       

    Consciousness

    The paradox of consciousness lies in its dual nature, being both intrinsic and extrinsic. Hoel highlights historical debates, such as those between Descartes and Princess Elizabeth, which underscore the difficulty in reconciling these perspectives 3. He explains that while our phenomenal consciousness is rich and detailed, our ability to express it is limited, akin to an iceberg where only the tip is visible 4.

    Our consciousness is very much like an iceberg, and we can only really talk about very top of the line stuff for it.

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    This gap between experience and expression continues to challenge our understanding of consciousness and its implications for free will.

       

    Consciousness Theory

    Discovering a comprehensive theory of consciousness could revolutionize our understanding of the self and free will. Hoel envisions such a discovery as transformative as Darwin's theory of evolution, fundamentally altering humanity's self-conception 5. He speculates that it could lead to unprecedented technological advancements, including the development of conscious AI, although current funding for consciousness research remains limited 5.

    It would be a revolution in the understanding of ourselves. We would finally know what we are.

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    Hoel stresses the importance of galvanizing interest and resources to address this profound scientific mystery.

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