@@> On Apr-17-98 William Elliot wrote to David Martorana
 @@> on  "Biological Consciousness"
 
 WE> We could relate consciousness to the aura, the electromagnetic field
 WE> thruout and about the body.  But then animals especially and plants
 WE> also exhibit this aura.  It is easy to show how the aura depends upon
 WE> metabolism, tho that is not a certainty when you consider brain death.
 WE> Also you have some difficulty distinguishing inanimate consciousness
 WE> from animate if that distinction is important.
 
       ..Since we don't yet know beyond the edges of consciousness,
     nor the range of its active hostings, we can still entertain
     an open attitude of possibilities (plant/animal/planet/cosmos
     /even more) .....some ranging of consciousness not simple to
     recognize nor measure with our "near primitive" measuring sticks.
     We CAN work with "inference" (if it serves well) until a better
     KNOWING or more reasonable inference comes along. As for animate
     and inanimate.... it is not so much unimportant, just not yet
     considered.
 
 WE> Sleep or any other unconscious state relieves you of universal
 WE> concerns.
 
     I still trouble some on this dilemma!
 
 DM>> I *think* the universe would still be there and not caring
 DM>> whether you're concerned or not.
 
 WE> A popular universal anthropomorphic image, that the universe
 WE> cares about you.
 
     YES! ......"anthropomorphic consciousness"!  I have some
     "inferred thoughts" on this that would likely bore you to
     death or provide a few well earned laughs ....but would take
     time to focus in on.!
 
 WE> Some among the living may be concerned about, that's about all
 WE> you can expect. Consciousness is needed for even this expectation.
 WE> Otherwise, what expectant you is there.
 
  I don't find that an individual "loosing it" (death/brain damage)
  changes my interest in it. Whether here to appreciate it or not,
  the quest does not loose its savor till it goes puff (if it does )
  Like said above, I do experience some dilemma in this consciousness
  "thing" (but ever working on it).
 
 DM>> .................I DO struggle with this puzzle of transitory
 DM>> importance whereas we, individual or species, do make a bit of
 DM>> noise and poof, we AND our consciousness are gone. As long as I'm
 DM>> *alive* I would find the universe interesting whether my
 DM>> consciousness is biological (likely) or some more or less unknown
 DM>> other... It is all some fun while lasting "....our species, our perk"
 
 WE> You understand that a definition of life and consciousness has
 WE> little to do with being alive or consciousness beyond an intellectual
 WE> problem for our musing.
 
   I understand no such thing. Beyond definitions I want to find and
   ride the horse, as super unlikely as the prospect!   All of being
   is a nonsense, intellectual musings or otherwise substantial-
   ..unless ??? SOMEONE can say otherwise (without manufactured
   answers). From a human perspective, the game IS the "ALL OF IT"!
 
                        .....re-ALL-ity
 
 DM>> WE might ANYWAY *work with* some assumed (still fragmentary) models
 DM>> and a bit of reasoning.
 
 WE> There's little to be said.  It can be turned off and it be started
 WE> and restarted.  Our experience indicates that it is associated with
 WE> life.
      ........true! If that is what we are satisfied to make of it.
 
 WE> .....less and more of terminology is not useful.
 
     I would no longer use the "less and more" terminology (except by
     accident).
 
 WE> Consciousness can be stopped by a knock out blow to the head and
 WE> it can be revived by a bucket of cold water, as losing boxers can
 WE> assure.
 
     Yes ......been a loosin-   some much n many times......!
 
                             ==
                             #@ ... Dave
                            """"
 
--- Maximus/2 3.01
---------------