1. A Course on Consciousness
Al Stetz
Professor of Physics
OSU
Science and religion class – what we discuss
Why consciousness is exciting
Cannot be explained on purely physical terms
Hypothesis

2. Consciousness poses the most baffling problem in the
science of the mind. There is nothing we know more
Intimately than conscious experience, but nothing that
Is harder to explain.
David Chalmers

3. The most important scientific discovery of the present era
will come when someone or some group discovers the
answer to the following question, how exactly do
neural-biological processes in the brain produce consciousness?
John Searle

4. “Consciousness is a fascinating but elusive phenomenon.
It is impossible to specify what it is, what it does,
or why it has evolved. Nothing worth reading has been
written on it.”
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy

5. Weight: Three Pounds
Energy Consumption: 12 Watts

6. Terry Brison

7. Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650)
Nov. 10, 1619

8. I doubt, therefore I am.

9. Automaton – A mechanical figure or contrivance
constructed to act as if by its own motive power

11. Dualism – Two Kinds of “Substance”
Body – It has physical properties such as mass, location, size, etc. It can’t think but is the source of our passions, which can control the mind under some circumstances. It can exist without mind.
Mind – It is the seat of conscious thought and the soul. It can exist without a body but it can control the body.
We are born with inherent knowledge that comes from a higher power.
God and the heavenly powers are of the same substance as the mind.
Two kinds of stuff, 2 ways things can exist.
The mind can control the body.
The passions of the body can control the mind.
Makes sense, consciousness doesn’t seem to be located anywhere.
Silent prayer makes sense, so does free will. No determinism

12. where and how is it attached?
So here is the problem –
where and how is it attached?
Did you know you had a pineal gland?
Where?

13. Dilbert the Cartesian Dualist

14. Answer -- The Pineal Gland
Why the pineal gland? Explain.
If the mind and body are separate we can have zombies and ghosts.

15. (Not so) philosophical zombies
You can talk to it but no-one is home.
The body stuff without the mind stuff

16. A (Not So) Philosophical Ghost
Mind without body. How does it experience things?
Where did it come from? Where is it now?
Can it move through walls? Does it?

17. The Cartesian Theatre