A
The knowing that 'runs constant through all experience' is what William James called 'sciousness,' consciousness without consciousness of self, or 'pure experience,' a simple 'that' before it is doubled into a state of mind and a reality intended thereby
A
It sounds like you meant “sciousness” — a term related to “consciousness”, but subtly different in meaning. Here’s a clear breakdown 👇
🧠 1. Meaning of “Sciousness”
-
Sciousness (without the con- prefix) is an old or philosophical term meaning awareness without self-reflection — raw, immediate experience before the mind turns it into “I am aware of…”.
-
The word was used by philosopher F.H. Bradley (in Appearance and Reality, 1893) to describe pure experience — perception without the sense of a separate self observing it.
🌌 2. Sciousness vs Consciousness
| Aspect | Sciousness | Consciousness |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Direct awareness or experience itself | Awareness plus the sense of “I” being aware |
| Self-reference | None (pre-reflective) | Self-reflective (“I am conscious of…”) |
| Example | Seeing a color without labeling or thinking about it | Thinking “I see blue” |
| Philosophical link | Nondual experience, pure perception | Dualistic (subject–object) awareness |
🧩 3. In Context (Quantum / Philosophical Thought)
In discussions like Quantum Immortality or Consciousness as a Field, “sciousness” might refer to:
-
A substrate of awareness — experience before it divides into “observer” and “observed.”
-
A possible universal consciousness that individual minds emerge from (e.g., panpsychism or nondual theories).
-
Some thinkers link this to quantum reality, where observation and measurement co-create outcomes — suggesting sciousness is the core observer function itself.
⚡ 4. Why It Matters
-
The idea invites us to ask: Is “I” necessary for experience?
-
It also challenges standard neuroscience and physics, which usually assume a subject/object split.
-
In mystical traditions (Advaita Vedānta, Zen, etc.), “pure awareness” aligns with sciousness — unbroken, impersonal witnessing.
🪞 5. Simple Example
When a baby first opens its eyes, before it knows “me” or “world,” what’s happening is sciousness — pure, undivided experience.
Later, as the mind develops, it becomes consciousness — “I am seeing.”
Would you like me to connect sciousness specifically to the Quantum Immortality idea from the video — i.e., how this kind of awareness might relate to surviving branches of reality?
No comments:
Post a Comment