this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2023
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[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Your appeal to evidence presumes we have the context to comprehend or evaluate a cosmic consciousness. Clearly individual cells have some rudimentary, bio-chemical-instinctual proto-consciousness which compels them to avoid chemical threats and seek chemical nourishment, but it would be ridiculous to expect them to understand the complex thoughts of multicellular organisms.

Extrapolate that to the relationship between humans and a cosmic consciousness. If such a consciousness exists, it would be so alien as to be inscrutable to us. The "physiology" of such a mind might take the form of the interplay of fundamental forces, the "psychology" might manifest as the mathematical laws of nature.

As to should vs. could, what is the hidden factor that decides? Where does it come from?