16 - Ultimum Sentiens
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 October 2009
Summary
I see the world around,
So simple yet profound.
Specifically, I see a tree.
The retinas of my eyes,
– sensitive optically –
Do not consciously
See actually the tree.
Signals to my brain
Electrobiochemically
Produce synaptically
A connected pattern
That represents the tree.
But what sees the pattern?
Pray where neurologically
Is the ultimum sentiens
That with full attention
Really is me consciously
Seeing the tree?
Is my understanding
Of me seeing the tree
A neurological pattern
That explains me
Seeing the tree
As a neurological pattern?
Consciousness is a nonphysical property that cannot be defined in physical terms, and indeed does not exist in the physical universe. It is impossible to determine by any physical means if an object is conscious. When presented with miscellaneous objects, such as an orange, a chair, a clock, a human being, a candle flame, and a crystal, an experimenter cannot determine by means of experiments with physical equipment which of these objects is conscious. This normally would constitute sufficient proof that consciousness does not exist anywhere in any form. One of the objects, however, could be myself, and I know beyond all doubt that I am a conscious being. I am more certain of my consciousness than was Dr. Johnson of the concreteness of his stone. Consciousness beyond all doubt exists, yet demonstrably does not exist in the physical universe. Consciousness belongs to the Universe not the physical universe. No other conclusion seems possible.
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- Information
- Masks of the UniverseChanging Ideas on the Nature of the Cosmos, pp. 265 - 274Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003