CNS 5000

Nature of Consciousness:

Philosophy, Science, & Mysticism

Professor: Christian de Quincey, PhD

This is a course about consciousness—about its essence, its meanings, its relation to matter, its biological correlates, its quantum and cosmic significance, as well as its place in mysticism and in our ordinary experience.

As a topic for academic study, consciousness is unique because it is both the object of inquiry, and also the subject doing the inquiring—in other words, you. In this classroom setting, we will mostly explore consciousness as an “object” of study, though never losing sight of the central importance of the experiencing subject.

In short, this course is designed around the interaction between ideas in the textbooks and you as experiencing subject.

We will examine the nature of consciousness from three perspectives: philosophy, science, and mysticism. The course

• Explores various meanings of consciousness and its relation to matter and the body.

• Overviews key issues in: philosophy of mind, cognitive science, neurobiology, quantum consciousness, cosmic consciousness, and mystical experience.

On Successfully Completing This Course, You Will:

—Have an interdisciplinary grounding in consciousness studies: covering philosophy, science, and mysticism

—Be equipped with key concepts and distinctions to open up further vistas for consciousness studies

—Be able to talk and write coherently about consciousness from different perspectives

—Have a deeper appreciation and understanding of consciousness as a topic for academic study and how this relates to consciousness as lived experience.

Grading:

—Class participation: 20 %

—Term Paper Outline/Draft (3-5 pages): 30 %

—Final Paper (10-15 pages): 50 %

Required Texts:

1. de Quincey, C., Consciousness for Zombies (JFK, 2003)

2. de Quincey, C., Course Reader: Nature of Consciousness (JFK, 2003).

3. Mitchell, H. B., Roots of Wisdom (3rd Edition) (Wadsworth, 2002)

4. Tolle, E., The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (Namaste, 1997).

Selected Additional Reading

Baars, B. (1986), The Cognitive Revolution in Psychology (Guildford Press)

Baruss, I. (1990), The Personal Nature of Notions of Consciousness (University Press of America)

Block, N., Flanagan, O. & Güzeldere, G. (1997), The Nature of Consciousness : Philosophical Debates (MIT Press)

Bohm, D. (1980), Wholeness and Implicate Order (Routledge & Kegan Paul)

Bucke, R. M. (1969), Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind (Dutton)

Chalmers, D. (1996), The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory (Oxford University Press)

Churchland, P. (1993), Matter and Consciousness: A Contemporary Introduction to Philosophy of Mind (MIT Press)

de Quincey, C., (2002) Radical Nature: Rediscovering the Soul of Matter (Invisible Cities Press)

Goswami, A. (1994), Science within Consciousness (Insititue of Noetic Sciences)

Harman, W. & de Quincey, C. (1994), The Scientific Exploration of Consciousness (Institute of Noetic Sciences)

Lancaster, B. (1991), Mind, Brain and Human Potential (Element)

May, R. M. (1991), Cosmic Consciousness Revisited (Element)

Nagel, T. (1987), What Does it all Mean? A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press)

Needleman, J. (1982), The Heart of Philosophy (HarperSanFrancisco.

Rao, R. (1993), Cultivating Consciousness: Enhancing Human Potential, Wellness, and Healing (Praeger)

Tye, M. (1995), Ten Problems of Consciousness: A Representational theory of the Phenomenal Mind (MIT Press)

Valle, R. S. & von Eckartsberg, R. (eds.) (1981), Metaphors of Consciousness (Plenum Press)

Wilber, K. (1993), Eye to Eye: The Quest for the New Paradigm (Anchor)

Wilber, K. (1995), Sex, Ecology, Spirituality: The Spirit of Evolution (Shambhala)

Young, A. (1976), The Reflexive Universe: Evolution of Consciousness (Robert Briggs)

Week 1: Introductions: Course Overview

What this week is about: Introductions and overview of course. Clarification of expectations for this class: We will explore the relationship between language and experience: emphasize the importance of writing, and importance of critical thinking skills. We will focus on interpretation of experience (not experience itself)—i.e. this class is about how to communicate experiences clearly and coherently

We will also explore your experiences with reason and other ways of knowing: What negative experiences have you had with the use of reason? What positive experiences have you had with reason? What negative experiences have you had with intuition? What positive experiences have you had with intuition?

Week 2: Philosophy—i: The Philosopher’s Gift

What this week is about: We will explore how reason is a gift we all share, and how philosophers use it as a guide toward truth. We will see that philosophy is more than a search for what is true, but also for wisdom. We will see that beyond reason there are other modes of knowing. And we will see how philosophers from different cultures approach the question of human nature.

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies<> by C. de Quincey [pp. 2-19]

2. Reader: “Consciousness: Truth or Wisdom?” by C. de Quincey

3. Text-2: “Why Philosophy?” from Roots of Wisdom by Helen Mitchell [pp. 14-54]

Lecture: “Three Gifts of Consciousness.”

Dialogue session

Week 3: Philosophy—ii: Varieties of Consciousness

What this week is about: We will go “fishing” for consciousness using the net of language. We will explore different meanings and varieties of “consciousness” —particularly the difference between its psychological and philosophical meanings. We will inquire if consciousness is a form of energy; we will examine an evolutionary model that embraces different varieties of consciousness. And we will look at the relationship between truth and beauty.

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies by C. de Quincey [pp. 20-52]

2. Reader: “The Variety of Views of Consciousness” by Roger Walsh

3. Reader: “Language, Energy, and Consciousness” by C. de Quincey

4. Reader: “Switched on Consciousness” by C. de Quincey

5. Reader: “Cliff Notes: Varieties of Consciousness” by C. de Quincey

6. Text-2: “Reality and Being” from Roots of Wisdom by Helen Mitchell [pp. 58-98] (Background reading)

Lecture: “Varieties of Consciousness” [SAPRIU(D)]

Dialogue session: Experiment with Free Will

Week 4: Philosophy—iii: Philosophy of Mind

What this week is about: Introduction to philosophy of mind. We will explore whether zombies, ghosts, and computers have consciousness—by examining the three key problems in philosophy of mind: (1) Mind-body relation; (2) Knowledge of other minds; (3) Free-will and determinism. We will tackle the intriguing question: “Do brains taste of chocolate?”

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies by C. de Quincey [pp. 53-85]

3. Reader: “Free Will” by Simon Blackburn

4. Reader: “Is Consciousness Energy?” by C. de Quincey

5. Reader: “Cliff Notes: Key Issues in Philosophy of Mind” by C. de Quincey

6. Text-2: “ Human Nature” from Roots of Wisdom by Helen Mitchell [pp. 115-153]

Lecture: “Three Problems in Philosophy of Mind”

Dialogue Session

Week 5: Science—i: Science of Consciousness

What this week is about: The Scientist’s Gift. What does the scientist bring to the study of consciousness? We will explore whether we can have a science of consciousness—and look at three perspectives: objectivity, subjectivity, and intersubjectivity. We will also begin our exploration of the mechanisms of mind by looking at the field of cognitive science. And we will look at different sources of knowledge.

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies by C. de Quincey [pp. 86-114]

2. Reader: “Review: The Story So Far . . .” by C. de Quincey

3. Reader: “The Scientific Exploration of Consciousness” by C. de Quincey

4. Reader: The Mind’s New Science by Howard Gardner

5. Reader: “Cliff Notes: A Science of Consciousness?” by C. de Quincey

6. Text-2: “Knowldege Sources” from Roots of Wisdom by Helen Mitchell [pp. 211-248] (Background reading)

Lecture: “Can We Have a Science of Consciousness?”

Dialogue Session

Week 6: Science—ii: Brain & Mind

What this week is about: The biology of consciousness. We will begin an exploration of the field of neuroscience to find out what the brain can tell us about the mind. We will introduce: the brain, nervous system, neurons, synapses, and neurotransmitters. We will look at right-brain, left-brain differences, and at the “three-brains” of human intelligence, mammalian emotions, and reptilian instincts. And we will pose the controversial question: “Did something go wrong in evolution with the human brain?”

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies by C. de Quincey [pp. 115-124] (Class Lecture Notes)

2. Reader: “The Modular Brain” by Richard Restak

3. Reader: “Cliff Notes: Neuroscience” by C. de Quincey

4. Text-2: “A Revolution in Philosophy?” from Roots of Wisdom by Helen Mitchell [pp. 469-479]

Lecture: “Brains & Consciousness”

Dialogue Session

NOTE: TERM PAPER OUTLINE/DRAFT DUE

Week 7: Science—iii: Quantum Consciousness

What this week is about: What can quantum physics tell us about consciousness? We will examine four approaches to understanding the relationship between the quantum and consciousness—metaphors, mechanisms, implicate order, and the quantum-as-spirit. We will ask whether quantum physics and mysticism have anything in common.

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies by C. de Quincey [pp. 125-140]

2. Reader: “Reflections on David Bohm’s Holomovement” by Renée Weber

3. Reader: “Of Shadows and Symbols” by Ken Wilber

4. Reader: “Cliff Notes: Quantum Consciousness” by C. de Quincey

Lecture: “ Four Views of Quantum Consciousness”

Dialogue Session

Week 8: Mysticism—i: Cosmic Consciousness

What this week is about: The search for meaning. We will examine why the study of consciousness is important. From the micro to the macro cosmos: We will explore the meaning of “cosmic consciousness,” and begin a dialogue on the meaning of “enlightenment.” We will conclude by examining the difference between “thoughts” and “thinking.”

Readings:

1. Text-1: Consciousness for Zombies by C. de Quincey [pp. 141-146]

2. Text-3: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle [Intro. + Chapts. 1-3]

3. Reader: “Cliff Notes: Cosmic Consciousness” by C. de Quincey

4. Text-2: “Philosophy and God” from Roots of Wisdom by Helen Mitchell [pp. 159-194] (Background reading) VLecture: “Cosmos & Consciousness”.

Dialogue Session

Week 9: Mysticism—ii: Consciousness & Enlightenment (i)

What this week is about: Enlightenment is the state of consciousness that transcends all illusions. It transcends all concepts and language, and is therefore beyond the scope of science and philosophy. The most we can hope for from our fine conceptual distinctions is to point—toward what is beyond all distinctions. Enlightenment is the domain of mysticism or spiritual experience; we cannot “know” it, only “live” it—be it. It is best approached in silence with a smile of compassion for the layers of ignorance we struggle to escape. In these final classes, we will listen to the words of some masters and scholars who have been generous enough to point.

Readings:

1. Text-3: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle [Chpts. 4-6]

2. Reader: “Guidelines for Dialogue” by C. de Quincey

No Lecture. Dialogue Session

Week 10: Mysticism—iii: Consciousness & Enlightenment (ii)

Readings:

1. Text-3: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle [Chpts. 7-9]

No Lecture. Dialogue Session

Week 11: Summary/Review: Consciousness in Dialogue

What this week is about: We have now surveyed the “three gifts of consciousness”—the philosopher’s gift of reason, the scientist’s gift of method, and the mystic’s gift of meditation. It is time to reflect on what we have learned, and to talk about how we may apply what we know about the nature of consciousness. We will spend this last session in open dialogue.

1. Text-3: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle [Chpt. 10]

Dialogue/Meditation Session: Course Review

FINAL PAPER DUE

Remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your papers returned to you.