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I suppose if consciousness is indeed an illusion then that would at least explain why it's so hard to understand. Or rather it may not be that it's hard to unde
by contravariant 5y ago
I suppose if consciousness is indeed an illusion then that would at least explain why it's so hard to understand. Or rather it may not be that it's hard to understand but understanding an illusion usually means dispelling it, which is problematic when that illusion is consciousness.
Then again claiming something is an illusion is usually less than helpful. Colour is an illusion of sorts (or a qualia if we're being technical), but 'colour is an illusion' is an unhelpful answer to the question 'why is the sky blue?'.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- p_noumenon 5y agoConsciousness is literally the only thing which can't be an illusion, because it's through consciousness that illusions are perceived in the first place. Cogito ergo sum; you can doubt what you are experiencing as much as you like, maybe it's a dream, maybe it's a simulation, maybe there's an evil demon deceiving you through magical means, but you can't doubt the fact that you are experiencing at all, even doubt itself is part of the experience.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- CallidusAsinus 5y agoAgreed. "I think therefore I am" is still foundational, last I heard.
- CallidusAsinus 5y agoPrecisely. There seems to be much debate about consciousness and what it is, but much of it is often unhelpful.
- mensetmanusman 5y agoIt’s kind of pointless to consider whether it’s an illusion, because it still comes to the question of who is it an illusion for? Heh