Consciousness: The Intersection of Physics and Reality

The Role of Consciousness in Understanding the World

Consciousness is the interface between our inner selves and the world we inhabit. Without consciousness, nothing can be known, including physics and science. This raises the question: does consciousness affect our understanding of the world in any way? As our intermediary, does it add to, subtract from, or distort the reality we perceive?

The Scientific Approach to Reality

Science's distinct approach to understanding reality recognizes the various perspectives we can apply to what is given. Scientific methods have tools built into them to eliminate or reduce the inherent biases humans bring to the project of understanding reality. Despite these tools, there are areas that science does not—or cannot—explore. Science acknowledges that some areas of existence are viable for its studies while others are not.

The empirical view, which is a cornerstone of scientific inquiry, requires that what is being studied can be measured first. If it cannot be measured, it is considered not valid for scientific analysis. This stance, while understandable, leaves unexplored phenomena that fall outside the realm of what can be measured, such as those labeled "mystical."

Areas of Inquiry Beyond the Provable

The example of the "lost keys" joke highlights the limitations of science. While most scientists accept the limitations and leave unproven areas open for future investigation, some scientists and the public may view these areas as irrelevant or unimportant. This precaution is important, as ignoring what we don't understand can lead to overlooking crucial information or phenomena.

The Complexity of Consciousness

Consciousness holds a preeminent place in how we view our world. If we limit our understanding to what can be measured, we are only looking in the well-lit areas for answers. Consciousness is still not well understood, and it may be the most complex and disorganized phenomenon, compared to the ideal concepts we apply to reality.

Consider the perspective of Plato, who believed in ideal forms as the most perfect and closest to God. Earthly forms, such as squares, circles, or spheres, can only approximate these ideal forms. Our perception of the world around us is often a mix of precision and messiness, making our understanding of consciousness even more challenging.

The Role of Mathematics in Understanding Reality

Mathematics, often hailed as the "queen of sciences," helps us order the chaos of reality into forms that are comprehensible to the human mind. However, it remains an abstraction of the world as it truly is, necessarily leaving much unaccounted for. The natural world, messy and complex, stands as the foundation of our conceptual understanding, providing the source and origin of all concepts.

The Intersection of Psychology and Realities

Cognitive psychology, while useful for interdisciplinary studies like artificial intelligence, may not fully capture the complexity of human experience. When psychology turns to understanding the nature of human experience, a different approach is needed. Science, in its best form, does not leave anything beyond the purview of thoughtful, logical, and rigorous inquiry.

In conclusion, consciousness, while difficult to understand, plays a crucial role in our perception of the world. It is essential to recognize the limitations of science and the importance of exploring unmeasurable phenomena to fully understand the complexity of reality.