Simon Conway Morris on animal intelligence (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, January 26, 2017, 01:57 (2651 days ago) @ dhw

DAVID: You've stated what I think differently than I do, since I view consciousness as a received mechanism. I don't think the native brain can do it on its own, based on NDE research.

dhw: You are simply repeating that the brain acts as a receiver of consciousness, which is another way of saying consciousness uses the brain (as opposed to the brain using consciousness). The brain “doing it on its own” is materialism. There is no disagreement between us now on what constitutes your dualism, as summarized above. However, materialism might (very cautious word) receive a boost from the following:

DAVID; (under “big brain from viruses”) Retroviruses incorporated themselves into human and ape DNA's but no other species about 35-45 million years ago. they do affect neurons:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170112110840.htm

QUOTE: "Much of what we know about the overall development of the brain comes from the fruit fly, zebrafish and mouse. However, if endogenous retroviruses affect brain function, and we have our own set of these ERV, the mechanisms they affect may have contributed to the development of the human brain," says Johan Jakobsson."

DAVID’s comment: There has to be some reason why the human brain grew so big compared to the apes. This may be a clue as to the mechanism.

dhw: If your dualism is correct, it is consciousness that has enlarged the brain, which responds to its needs. But if retroviruses were the cause (a big IF), i.e. these GAVE RISE to our enhanced awareness through complexification of the brain, we are back on the road to materialism.

I'll go back to the radio receiver concept, from the NDE researchers: A material brain without the consciousness mechanism does not produce any conscious thoughts for the owner of the brain. The bigger/more complex brain is the more extensive/advanced use of the consciousness mechanism. It is an intimate relationship. The material brain is a receiver of stimuli, no consciousness needed. Interpretation and action, consciousness needed. If consciousness can exist in NDE's with no functional brain present, they can be separated and therefore can be viewed separately, and understood as two operative agencies.