What is it about?
We have developed a model of consciousness to understand how it interacts with the brain, as well as with the physical world of matter and energy. According to the model, consciousness is considered a fundamental aspect of nature and life. Despite the brain's impressive ability to process information in parallel, consciousness operates as a high-speed sequential process that leads to our awareness. Similar to how we experience time, consciousness is also affected by relative motion. When an observer is in motion, both time and consciousness seem to stretch out without any advantage in enhancing awareness for the moving observer compared to the one at rest. Moreover, the energy associated with consciousness follows principles of quantum mechanics, exhibiting both wave-like and particle-like behaviour. Interestingly, the consciousness particle gains mass when the frequency of consciousness increases, or its speed decreases. This intricate relationship between consciousness, matter, and energy underpins determinism, realism, and physicalism, which are fundamental concepts in modern physics. This model also sheds light on why our five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) have limitations and emphasises the pivotal role of consciousness in our perception of reality. Looking ahead, we aim to expand this model to tackle the mysteries of the universe, like dark matter, dark energy, non-local reality and observer effect. A video pitch about our research can be watched from: ▶️https://youtu.be/Pby1TfEluqE?feature=shared
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Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Conscious reasoning leads us to view the universe as an intricately designed system finely tuned to support life. This perspective underscores the importance of understanding how consciousness interacts with the basic elements of the universe—matter and energy. By incorporating relativity and quantum physics, we have constructed a model that illustrates how consciousness, matter, and energy work together to create our perception of reality. This unified model not only provides a framework for understanding how consciousness operates but also demonstrates how it interplays with matter and energy, creating universe and reality. The significance of this lies in expanding our awareness and recognition of complex constructs and systems that are rooted in consciousness which often extend beyond what we can directly observe with our senses. This insight challenges our conventional understanding of reality and opens up new avenues for exploring the profound interplay between consciousness and the universe. In essence, this work invites everyone to contemplate the deeper, interconnected nature of our existence and the universe we inhabit.
Perspectives
In the journey of scientific exploration, one crucial aspect that has often been overlooked is the role of consciousness in shaping our understanding of reality. It's becoming increasingly clear that to address certain perplexities and enigmas in fundamental physics and the universe, delving into the realm of consciousness is essential. Science has made remarkable strides in unravelling the mysteries of the physical world, but it's encountered puzzles and contradictions that remain unexplained. These gaps suggest that there's something fundamental we've been missing and that something may very well be consciousness. By acknowledging the significance of consciousness, we could bridge these gaps and refine our comprehension of the universe. Exploring the interplay between consciousness, matter, and energy might be key to unlocking a deeper understanding of reality. It's a new frontier in scientific inquiry that promises to revolutionise our perception of the cosmos and our place within it.
Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama
University of Technology Sydney
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Unifying matter, energy and consciousness, January 2023, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0162815.
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Resources
Unifying Matter, Energy and Consciousness
This is the video pitch shared at the conference associated with the publication.
Unifying matter, energy and consciousness
Understanding the interplay between consciousness, energy and matter could bring important insights to our fundamental understanding of reality, says UTS Visiting Scholar Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama.
Unifying matter, energy and consciousness
Understanding the interplay between consciousness, energy and matter could bring important insights to our fundamental understanding of reality, says UTS Visiting Scholar Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama, exploring these topics in recently published research in which he uses computer models of consciousness to explain how it interfaces with the brain and interacts with matter and energy. With the rise of brain-interface technology and artificial intelligence that can imitate brain functions, understanding the nature of consciousness and how it interacts with reality is not just an age-old philosophical question but also a salient challenge for humanity. Can AI become conscious, and how would we know? Should we incorporate human or animal cells, such as neurons, into machines and robots? Would they be conscious and have subjective experiences? Does consciousness reduce to physicalism, or is it fundamental? And if machine-brain interaction influenced you to commit a crime, or caused a crime, would you be responsible beyond a reasonable doubt?
Conscious AI and the Universe
What is ‘consciousness’? Featured: Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama; Director of the Centre for Consciousness Studies, Director of the Centre for Sustainable AI Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org The nature of consciousness is an emerging philosophical question that has been pondered for centuries. Now, with the advent of advanced Artificial Intelligence, the ethics and implications of conscious AI is at the forefront of people’s minds. However, delving into just what consciousness actually is on the grand scheme of the universe could provide insight into the unanswered questions of the universe.
Unifying Causation, Relativity and Quantum Mechanics based on Consciousness | Conference Presentation
The Presentation at the 12th International Conference on Mathematical Modeling in Physical Sciences on August 28-31, 2023.
Unifying Local and Non-Local Realities based on Consciousness | Conference Presentation
The Presentation at the 12th International Conference on Mathematical Modeling in Physical Sciences on August 28-31, 2023.
Mind Causation Reseach
This is the home page of the Mind Causation research which is managed by the Centre for Consciousness Studies, Australia.
Can matter and energy blend with awareness?
Consciousness is an evolving topic connected to physics, engineering, neuroscience and many other fields. Understanding the interplay between consciousness, energy and matter could bring important insights into our fundamental understanding of reality, says UTS Visiting Scholar Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama.
Contributors
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