4 ms·

It wouldn’t make it a synonym with existence, only an aspect of it. If a fertilized egg is not conscious, when precisely does it emerge, and what does that tran

• lisper 7y ago
  > It wouldn’t make it a synonym with existence, only an aspect of it. It would make "unconscious" a synonym for "non-existent". > If a fertilized egg is not conscious, when precisely does it emerge, and what does that transition entail? No one knows the answer to that. But it's pretty clear to me that consciousness supervenes on brains, so having a brain (or functional equivalent) is a necessary (though not sufficient) condition for being conscious.
  • babygoat 7y ago
    > It would make "unconscious" a synonym for "non-existent". Maybe a synonym for “non-physical”, conceptual, or abstract. Why do you say that like it’s some kind of paradox? > No one knows the answer to that. Then how does one know it to be true? > But it's pretty clear to me that consciousness supervenes on brains Why? No one has ever borne that out.
    • lisper 7y ago
      > Why do you say that like it’s some kind of paradox? I'm not. I'm just saying it robs the word "conscious" of most of its utility. It no longer makes sense to say, for example, "That person is unconscious." > Then how does one know it to be true? How does one know what to be true? > Why? No one has ever borne that out. Then I propose we do the following experiment: let's surgically remove your brain and see if afterwards you still profess to be conscious.