The Existence of Mind Before Space-Time: Perspectives from Philosophy and Speculation

When we consider the origins of the mind, it is often tempting to frame the question within human terms. However, this perspective limits our understanding significantly. Are minds, including the human mind, a consequence of the existence of space-time, or do they predate it in some abstract sense?

The Human Mind and Its Origins

The mind, in its current form, emerges with the first humans, who appeared around 200,000 years ago. Prior to this, earlier hominids such as Homo erectus, Paranthropus, and Australopithecus would have had minds of their own, albeit possibly less developed. This raises an intriguing question: if minds can exist independently of our current conception of space and time, where and when do they begin?

Mind Before Space-Time According to Philosophers

Philosophers such as Martin Heidegger and Friedrich Nietzsche offer us insights into this complex issue. According to Heidegger, beings like humans operate within a 'Being-in-the-world' (Sein-in-Welt) that presupposes a certain ontological structure. space-time is part of this structure, not an ontological entity in its own right.

Nietzsche, on the other hand, often emphasized the primacy of the individual in forming their own perspectives and creating their own reality. This perspective aligns with the idea that the mind constructs its own temporal and spatial framework, rather than simply being a passive receptacle of the environment.

Universal Mind and the Astral-Energy World

Some philosophical theories propose a more ethereal concept: the idea of a Universal Mind that antedates the existence of space-time. According to these beliefs, the Universal Mind created the space-time continuum as part of a larger astral-energy world that preceded the material universe. In this view, every individual mind is a part of this larger universal consciousness, shaped by karmic influences and psychic energy.

However, the idea of a Universal Mind begs several questions: if a mind exists without the physical universe, how is it realized? And is this Universal Mind a singular entity, or do individual minds merge into a collective consciousness?

Emergence of Mind from Physical Predecessors

The question of whether a mind can emerge from a brain, or if a plan (a concept or intention) can precede a brain, is a fundamental one. From a biological standpoint, certain early forms of thinking might have emerged in simpler organisms. The concept of time as abstracted by clocks and calendars is a product of human thought, and so is the idea of space as we understand it. Prior to the formalization of these concepts, experience was likely more direct and tactile.

Heidegger and Nietzsche's views can be further explored by examining the role of language. As Nietzsche famously stated, "speech is the first form of self-speculation, and is only a development of the problem of time." The act of referring to things, including abstract concepts like time and space, is a uniquely human phenomenon. Before language and thought as we understand them, these concepts would not have existed in their current form.

Furthermore, the act of deciding and thinking is a prime manifestation of the mind. Nietzsche's view that 'heaven' (or a higher realm of existence) predated 'space' suggests a hierarchical structure of existence. Heaven, or a noumenal realm, could be seen as the source of all thought and decision-making, with space-time emerging as a framework imposed by these thoughts.

Conclusion

The existence of the mind before space-time is a complex and multifaceted concept that challenges our understanding of both philosophical and scientific paradigms. Whether we consider ancient hominids, the Universal Mind, or the primordial origins of thought, the question of the mind's precedence over space-time remains an open and fascinating area of inquiry.