Where do we draw the line between what is conscious and what is not?
While many people no longer assume that only humans have minds, how far
are we willing to push out that line in the sand between the conscious
and the inanimate? Many believe that plants have consciousness, a mind
that can exist without a brain. Some believe that the Earth could be
considered alive, as well as stars and galaxies.
But what about rocks? Could anything be considered to have its own consciousness, its own mind? The idea is not as wild as it may first sound. Panpsychism, the idea that all matter is endowed with consciousness, suggests that having a brain is not the only way to have a mind.
With the controversy that surrounds identities such as conceptkin and objectkin, perhaps it time we asked ourselves: What do we define as having consciousness, a soul, or a mind? And, perhaps more importantly, why?
Follow the link below for a brief philosophy article on panpsychism and the secret lives of rocks.
The Private Lives of Rocks by Jon David
But what about rocks? Could anything be considered to have its own consciousness, its own mind? The idea is not as wild as it may first sound. Panpsychism, the idea that all matter is endowed with consciousness, suggests that having a brain is not the only way to have a mind.
With the controversy that surrounds identities such as conceptkin and objectkin, perhaps it time we asked ourselves: What do we define as having consciousness, a soul, or a mind? And, perhaps more importantly, why?
Follow the link below for a brief philosophy article on panpsychism and the secret lives of rocks.
The Private Lives of Rocks by Jon David
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