Week 7- Human Consciousness
Technology has allowed scientists to produce dozens of new discoveries in the past 10 years, and novel ones to appear on the scene as well. Neuroscience is a relatively new field, in the sense that new technology in recent times has allowed scientists and researchers to learn more about how our brains work. However, there always is something new to discover about the human brain. For centuries, it’s purpose and the way we use it has been debated and reevaluated several times. The understanding of the brain has come slowly, and there is still one thing that people do not really understand, which is human consciousness.
The idea of consciousness seems very abstract, and something everyone takes for granted everyday. Roger Penrose, a physicist, describes human consciousness as “non-computational.” He
goes on to explain what quantum and classical physics are, and that the brain functions at a place that bridges between the two; which is something scientists do not understand yet. I think what makes studying the brain interesting is that a lot of the functions, as Penrose explains, cannot be fully understood with science. There is still a grey area that cannot be explained by a single cell or process. However, even in Penrose’s article, he is criticized by famous scientists and scholars, who claim that they do not understand or agree with his stance on consciousness being comparable to quantum physics. However, I believe this demonstrates that no one truly understands every part of the human consciousness, and many things that we do know come from experience rather than science.
 |
| How Quantum computer functioning would work in relation to brain function. |
 |
| A neuroaesthetic exhibition created by Google in Milan |
By leaning away from science, and more towards experience to understand the human brain, artists have developed “neuroaesthetics” to understand more about human consciousness. The human brain interprets art, a visual, in complex ways that may evoke emotion, physical feelings, or bring up memories. By creating art that triggers people in this way, this may pave the way for a new perspective on brain function in its relation to consciousness.
Sources:
The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.
Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.
Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.
Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.
Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.
Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.
The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.
Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.
Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.
Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.
Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.
Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.
The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.
Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.
Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.
Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.
Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.
Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.
The Third Culture - Chapter 14, www.edge.org/documents/ThirdCulture/v-Ch.14.html.
Hitti, Natashah, and Natashah Hitti. “Google Offers ‘Scientific Proof That Design Is Important’ with A Space for Being.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 18 Apr. 2019, www.dezeen.com/2019/04/10/google-milan-design-week-a-space-for-being-installation-neuroaesthetic-design/.
Landau, Elizabeth. “What the Brain Draws from: Art and Neuroscience.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Sept. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/health/art-brain-mind/index.html.
Noë, Alva. “Moving Toward Understanding Consciousness.” NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/03/05/518653667/moving-towards-understanding-consciousness.
Ouellette, Jennifer, and Quanta Magazine. “A New Spin on the Quantum Brain.” Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016, www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-spin-on-the-quantum-brain-20161102/.
Think, Big. “How Human Consciousness Evolved | Daniel Dennett.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Ax2BqZo3Y.
No comments:
Post a Comment