Various Approaches to Consciousness & the Principle of Existence II: Part 2

Cerebral Dynamics and Discrete Energy Changes in the Personal Physical Environment During Intuitive-Like States and Perceptions (by Mathew D. Hunter, Blake T. Dotta, Bryce P. Mulligan, Kevin S. Saroka, Christina F. Lavallee, Stanley A. Koren, Michael A. Persinger): Abstract: The attribution of unobservable cognitive states to others, a component of the "Theory of Mind", involves activity within the right temporoparietal region. We tested an exceptional subject, Sean Harribance, who displayed a reliable, consistent configuration of QEEG activity over this region that was confirmed through source localization software. The blind-rated accuracies of the histories of 40 people shown in 40 different photographs were strongly correlated with the quantitative occurrence of this conspicuous QEEG pattern displayed during Mr. Harribance’s “intuitive state”. The proportions of specific microstates were also strongly correlated with his accuracy of discerning the historical characteristics of the people in the photographs. Compared to the normal population his microstates were half the duration and his sense of “now” was about twice as fast as the average person.

During his intuitive states there was strong congruence of activity between the left temporal lobes of participants who sat near Mr. Harribance and the activity over his temporal (primarily right) lobes within the theta and 19-20 Hz band. Reversible increases in photon emissions and small alterations in the intensity within the nearby (up to a 1 meter) geomagnetic field along the right side of his head were equivalent to energies of about 10-11 Joules with amplitude modulations in the 0.2 to 0.6 Hz range. The results indicate even exceptional skills previously attributed to aberrant sources are variations of normal cerebral dynamics associated with intuition and may involve small but discrete changes in proximal energy.

Cutting through the Enigma of Consciousness (by Chris King): Abstract: Critical to the investigation of consciousness is that it is existentially completely different from the objective physical world description, being experienced directly only by the subject, and not being subject to the same criteria of replicability a physical world experiment has. Also the observer cannot control their consciousness objectively in the same manner a physical experimentalist can their equipment, because any attempt to change consciousness carries the observer into a new conscious situation as well. In this respect the exploration of consciousness has similarities to quantum measurement. This renders all forms of introspection made as if we are looking at consciousness objectively, completely, or partially invalid. http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/117

Human Consciousness and Selfhood: Potential Underpinnings and Compatibility with Artificial Complex Systems (by David Sahner): Abstract: A broadly influenced theory of consciousness and selfhood is presented, followed by a discussion of crucial incompatibilities between human consciousness instantiated in a living biological system and the limitations of artificial intelligence research that might hope to replicate that form of consciousness. It will be argued that human phenomenal experience is firmly anchored in sensation borne of human flesh within a human cultural milieu, and thus enjoys a privileged status. Other pivotal challenges faced by those in pursuit of human-level artificial intelligence are also presented. Based on these considerations, viewed in aggregate, it is concluded that the achievement of human-level artificial intelligence is highly unlikely, even if the potential realization of some form of machine consciousness in the future cannot be excluded. http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/112