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16 - Ultimum Sentiens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

Edward Harrison
Affiliation:
University of Arizona
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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.

Type
Chapter
Information
Masks of the Universe
Changing Ideas on the Nature of the Cosmos
, pp. 265 - 274
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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  • Ultimum Sentiens
  • Edward Harrison, University of Arizona
  • Book: Masks of the Universe
  • Online publication: 27 October 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511536564.017
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  • Ultimum Sentiens
  • Edward Harrison, University of Arizona
  • Book: Masks of the Universe
  • Online publication: 27 October 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511536564.017
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Ultimum Sentiens
  • Edward Harrison, University of Arizona
  • Book: Masks of the Universe
  • Online publication: 27 October 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511536564.017
Available formats
×