Consciousness Theory

Introduction

In the previous essay of the observer theory, we have established the nature of the ultimate reality, that is of consciousness. However, in that essay we have disgracefully reduced consciousness to merely an entity that can perform and record observations of the external world, and in fact also observe itself. We have not determined any other significant nature of the consciousness. Unlike the previous essays, since we have successfully determined that everything in the world does exist, though is a part of the absolute reality that is consciousness, we will be starting with the current scientific knowledge, instead of the very first deductible truths as we did previously.

Logical Consciousness

When it comes to the most basic characteristics, the primary feature that differentiates a consciousness from other objects is the ability to produce knowledge. While it is written that consciousness is essentially an observer, that is written as we are analyzing the ontology of the issue, that is the matters of reality and existence. Of course, robots with sensors may be able to observe the world and store such information, they require other premises to support their existence. And while at this point consciousness seems very similar to intelligence, because it is a form of intelligence, there is another side of consciousness that requires our attention as well.

Mere Intelligence

While it is true that intelligence and consciousness is not the same, that is consciousness is indeed intelligence, but intelligence is not always consciousness. Of course, we had no choice but to assume consciousness as intelligence in the previous essay as that is all we can know at that time. This is because we are unable to determine the existence of anything in the previous essay, and our utmost priority was to determine the basic nature of the ultimate reality. And while the previous essay does reduce consciousness to more of this all seeing eye that always observes everything, and thus enable us to determine the existence and nature of the world through knowledge. However, such reductionism is only necessary in the previous essay, as consciousness is more than mere intelligence, why is that?

Let us examine what intelligence actually is. By essence, an intelligence is any entity able to perform logical reasoning in order to achieve any purpose, for example, a standard calculator is already a form intelligent entity. As it is able to perform logical reasoning, though a very limited form of it. A more advanced form of intelligence is a computer or an artificial intelligence, that can even obtain information about the world to create the best decision and perform logical reasoning more effectively. The most advanced form of intelligence is technically the human being, the embodiment of consciousness, but what makes the consciousness so special and different from traditional intelligence?

You see, traditional intelligence such as the computer or robots are all run by codes and programming. They can never violate the rules set by their creators, and they will always run exactly as predicted if we analyze the rules. Even if one is to create an artificial intelligence so similar to a human being, it is still created using rules, and they are still dictated by rules. This means that it relies on something else to work, and thus to exist as well. Consciousness is essentially the ultimate intelligence, it does not require to be dictated or caused by anything else to work, instead it causes itself and it dictates itself to work. It’s causation is not external, instead it is self causation. In simple words, a consciousness is free.

Emotional Side

Since consciousness is a free entity, that is it is self causing and in the logical context, it is a conclusion that also acts as its own premise, an unmoved mover, an uncaused causer. This has a logical consequence, that is the observer of the consciousness is itself, as we have known, the consciousness doesn’t only observe others, it observes itself, and since there is only the consciousness, whatever it observes, it is a part of itself. Of course, there are two sides of the consciousness, a derivative part, that is the part of the consciousness that originates from the consciousness itself, and the natural part, that is features of the consciousness that is uncaused and unmoved.

Derivative parts of consciousness includes everything else but our bare consciousness, things such as the material world is a derivative part of consciousness, it is a part of consciousness but not the ultimate form of consciousness. The natural part is the inherent and basic parts of consciousness that has no other causes. Something like intelligence and our capacity of rational thought is a natural part, however one question can be posited about something else, emotions. Are emotions a natural part or a derivative part of consciousness?

The answer is actually simple, emotions are a natural part of consciousness. You see, it is impossible to reduce the world into mere logical reasoning and so on, as if there is only logical reasoning, there would be no emotions in the first place, and there would be no conflicts in the first place. However, one might ask, what is an emotion in the first place? After all, it seems that emotions does not fit into the deduction of the universal truth. And I can see why it hardly fits, however it does not mean we are unable to examine and produce an answer to the emergence of emotions.

Notice that no computers or artificial intelligent being will have emotions, as they are only dictated by rules that we the ultimate intelligence write. And what is the key difference between us and the computers again? We are capable of observing ourselves, and thus is self caused, while computers are incapable of observing themselves and is externally caused. Emotions have something to do with that. You see, emotions are the logical consequence of our observations of our internal self. Observations of disorder and contradictions will often produce a negative emotion, while observations of order and the truth will produce a positive emotion. For example, if we have our loved ones die, we become sad as the condition of having someone we hold precious lose their life and thus unable to love us anymore is a disorder. Meanwhile, when we get a high score in our tests, we become happy as that condition shows order and truth, that we have achieved our goals, thus we are happy.

By essence, having emotions is the truest expression of our freedom as the conscious being, however as I have said, emotions and the heart is much more than that. The heart is what gives us purpose and meaning in life, it is what enables us to appreciate beauty, it is what enables us to love others and to care for them. If logical reasoning dictates what is true and so on, the heart dictates what the truth means. As such, this is why I seem to protest at the previous essay, what is the truth worth if it has no meaning? However, now that I am able to express the true beauty of the truth, I am much more comforted. I digress, it seems high time for us to explore the meaning and purpose of all of this.

Purpose and Meaning

We have established the existence of the truth, what it is, the nature of reality, the nature of consciousness, and seems we have explored every nook and cranny of the basic truths. However, one question remains, what is it all worth? What is the purpose of us existing? The purpose is simple, what do we feel? What do we feel right now? Perhaps, how do you feel at this moment? Do you feel happy? Or do you feel sad? As you see, purpose and meaning all depends on the heart, the emotions. When we feel sadness, do we enjoy it? Is it a sign of order? No, what we enjoy is happiness, as happiness is a sign of order and perfection. Alignment with the truth causes happiness.

But what kind of happiness do we aim for? Many people claim that they aim for happiness, but they all fall astray and seem to be hooked on petty things. That is because they aim for materialistic happiness, what we must aim for is true happiness. And how is true happiness achieved? It is achieved through achieving perfection, that is order, perfection and truth. We did not emerge as perfect beings, we emerged with imperfections, conflicts, contradictions, problems. Such conflict and depravity causes us suffering, our task is to escape that suffering, and that is by seeking and living the truth. As a result, our aim is not necessarily happiness, but the truth and to live the truth, that my friends should be our ultimate purpose in life.

Conclusion

It seems this marks the end of the basic truths saga of my essays. We started our journey with an inquiry into the absolute truth, and finally we discover it. Next, we determine what kind of reality is described the truth, and found that it is consciousness. Finally, we determine what is consciousness and the nature of it, and then we also determine the purpose and meaning of all this. While I can talk about how this relates to the idea of God and so on, that is for another time. My goal through this trilogy is expose and share the basic truths, which I believe shall be the roots of all problems and also the roots of all solutions. Regardless, I believe that is all I have to say, have a nice day and see you later.