The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Before I delve into these seemling loaded 5 words, I want to paint you a picture of the set and the setting that led me here today.  

The (mind) Set:

I have been reading about and researching Systems Dynamics/Thinking since Ashish Goel shared a spectacular paper on Leverage Points (Places to Intervene in a System by Donella Meadows) in 2016. I've also been exploring Vedanta since I chanced upon a translation of the Gita on a friend's bedside table in January 2019.

In this curious pursuit starting in 2016, I've ventured into various realms – from Senge's Learning Organizations in "The Fifth Discipline" to Nanak's idea of Sikhism (A Guru Sikh is also a learner). I've delved into Buddhism, Taoism, Heuristics, and the Limbic Systems. And into the philosophies of Jung, Nietzsche, Krishnamurti, and Bohm – you get the drift 😄.

More recently, since January 1st, I've returned to a routine I loosely adopted in 2020: waking up at 5 am to read from the Vedanta, spending an average of 4-5 hours a day listening to lectures on the Gita or the Upanishads, in addition to practicing Ashtanga Yoga and walking every day.  

I've dined out only twice since then, and currently, coffee is my only vice. With no weekends or days off, every single day courses through study, exercise, lectures, service, meditation, reading and writing. The schedule is designed to maintain the traditional spiritual disciplines of (karma) action, (bhakti) devotion, and (jnana) knowledge.

The Setting: 

Earlier today, I was listening to a lecture by Swami Sarvapriyananda on Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita (link) while walking down a trail along the Patapsco River in the Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland. The state park stretches along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 14,000 acres. The river was teeming with ducks today, and I was fortunate to spot some Wood Ducks and two Red-Shouldered Hawks. I also encountered Golden-crowned Kinglets and Wood Thrushes along the trail.

 My uncle's house is less than 2 kilometers away from here, yet I had only entered the boundaries of the state park the day before. I share this because, as I continued to walk along the path listening to Swami speak on Consciousness, presence, and awareness, I had a profound appreciation for why men and women of the past sought refuge in forests and mountains to contemplate the nature of consciousness and the meaning and purpose of life 

It’s in this lecture that he brought up the hard problem of consciousness. I highly recommend listening to this and more talks by him.

The Hard Problem of Consciousness (https://iep.utm.edu/hard-problem-of-conciousness/)

The hard problem of consciousness is the problem of explaining why any physical state is conscious rather than nonconscious.  It is the problem of explaining why there is “something it is like” for a subject in conscious experience, why conscious mental states “light up” and directly appear to the subject.  The usual methods of science involve explanation of functional, dynamical, and structural properties—explanation of what a thing does, how it changes over time, and how it is put together.  But even after we have explained the functional, dynamical, and structural properties of the conscious mind, we can still meaningfully ask the question, Why is it conscious? This suggests that an explanation of consciousness will have to go beyond the usual methods of science.  Consciousness therefore presents a hard problem for science, or perhaps it marks the limits of what science can explain.  Explaining why consciousness occurs at all can be contrasted with so-called “easy problems” of consciousness:  the problems of explaining the function, dynamics, and structure of consciousness.  These features can be explained using the usual methods of science.  But that leaves the question of why there is something it is like for the subject when these functions, dynamics, and structures are present.  This is the hard problem.

Quantum Physics and Consciousness:

Quantum physics has sparked intriguing discussions about the relationship between consciousness and the physical world. The phenomenon of quantum entanglement and the role of the observer effect have led some to propose that consciousness plays a fundamental part in the nature of reality. This perspective invites us to ponder whether consciousness itself is entangled with the fabric of the universe, offering a new dimension to the exploration of subjective experiences and qualia. 

The Taoist Perspective:

My uncle sent me these lines from Tao Te Ching – Verse 11 yesterday. 

Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub; It is the center hole that makes it useful. Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore profit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.        

It emphasizes the importance of what is not there or the empty spaces, which can often be as significant as what is present. This concept can be related to the quantum viewpoint and the nature of consciousness in the following ways:

Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy, presents a unique viewpoint on the hard problem of consciousness. The concept of Tao emphasizes harmony, balance, and the interconnectedness of all things. From a Taoist viewpoint, the hard problem of consciousness arises from the human tendency to overanalyze and compartmentalize subjective experiences. Taoism invites us to contemplate the inherent unity of consciousness with the natural world, transcending the intellectual puzzles posed by the hard problem.

Emptiness in Quantum Physics: In quantum physics, the concept of emptiness or "nothingness" is significant. Quantum fields and particles can exist in a state of superposition, where they are simultaneously in multiple states or locations until observed. It is the act of observation or measurement that collapses these superpositions into definite outcomes. This is often described as the "observer effect."

Quantum Observation and Reality: Quantum physics challenges our classical intuitions about reality. It suggests that the act of observation itself plays a crucial role in determining the properties and behavior of particles. This idea resonates with the notion that "observation manifests reality" in the sense that the outcome of an observation influences the state of the observed system.

Perception and Reality: The passage from the Tao Te Ching underscores the idea that what we make of life depends on our perception of it. Similarly, in quantum physics, the way we measure or observe a quantum system can affect the reality we perceive. It highlights the interconnectedness of the observer and the observed, which is a central theme in quantum mechanics.

The Role of Consciousness: Some interpretations of quantum mechanics even suggest that consciousness itself may play a role in the collapse of quantum states. This idea has sparked philosophical discussions about the relationship between consciousness and the fundamental nature of reality.

The Non-Dualist Advait Perspective: (https://iep.utm.edu/advaita-vedanta/#H2)

Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy, provides a unique insight into the hard problem of consciousness. According to Advaita, there is only one ultimate reality, which is pure consciousness or awareness (Brahman). The hard problem arises from the misidentification of the self with the body and mind, leading to the illusion of separateness. Advaita suggests that by transcending the illusion of individuality, one can directly experience the interconnected nature of consciousness, shedding light on the enigmatic nature of subjective experiences.

So what?

Each perspective offers a distinct vantage point, inviting us to contemplate the interconnected nature of consciousness and the enigmatic qualities of subjective experiences and qualia. As we navigate this profound inquiry, the convergence of these perspectives illuminates the multifaceted nature of the hard problem of consciousness, inspiring us to embrace the mystery and complexity of our subjective reality. 

My current path is to hold my perceptions lightly and retain a sense of proportionality regardless of what happens. Here’s what I know for sure - life is infinitely more beautiful when I'm in the present moment, anchored in my body and breath - unattached, neutral, present, aware, compassionate.

For now, staying on the path is my goal.