I suggest here that 'mind' can usefully be viewed as a process of integrating environmental dynam... more I suggest here that 'mind' can usefully be viewed as a process of integrating environmental dynamics with brain dynamics. It is probably expressed in brains in fractal patterns of ionic fluxes, especially calcium ion fluxes. Consciousness may be founded in a neutral monism at the basis of reality. As manifest in us however, it could prove to be a translation, mediated by implications of Heisenberg time/energy uncertainty, of spatio-temporal aspects of 'mind' into a tempero-spatial format. Differences between qualia might conceivably have a basis in knot theory. Potentially useful research directions are then briefly described.
Outlines a pan-protopsychist theory of consciousness that identifies protopsychist elements with ... more Outlines a pan-protopsychist theory of consciousness that identifies protopsychist elements with the temporal 'flipside' of energy eigenstates
(From my Editor's Introduction, "Transcending Self-Consciousness" in Papers)
Self-transcendence ... more (From my Editor's Introduction, "Transcending Self-Consciousness" in Papers)
Self-transcendence should not be confused with the self-transformation that takes place throughout one’s life. One changes, often in unexpected ways, but the self still feels it is at helm of action and is the guiding light of consciousness. The self may be transformed so it becomes more transparent or permeable, and, in that way, one edges towards self-transcendence. But absolute transcendence of the self would dissolve that self with original awareness continuing in an unfathomably intense present without a past or future. Awareness-in-itself could be said to be aware of nothing or of everything, for without differentiation there could be no difference.
But, self-consciousness transcended (as opposed to self-dissolution, so the remembering self remains itself remembered) could have metaphysical implications: Those who have cultivated the transcending of self-consciousness in life, experiencing it over and over again and gaining a measure of control over the awakening, may well be able to retain the artifacts of selfhood – memories – as original awareness leaves the body behind, that is, in death. Just as the electricity continues after the light bulb darkens, life energy withdraws from the body but continues as unbound dynamism, but, in the latter case of self as silent witness, the memories of a lifetime may go with it, perhaps to enrich the manifold of experience in that source, which, in this way undergoes change and learning. Without those memories, able to withstand such radical decentering, the self dies with the body.
My Editorial for this issue functions as an abstract: "Time & Experience: Twins of the Eternal No... more My Editorial for this issue functions as an abstract: "Time & Experience: Twins of the Eternal Now?" is located amongst my papers:
In a previous study of old people living in the community, those with functional psychiatric diso... more In a previous study of old people living in the community, those with functional psychiatric disorders (usually neuroses) were found to have relatively low IQs on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) (Britton et al., 1967). This observation required confirmation and was open to a number of interpretations.
SummarySince neither the unipolar nor the bipolar theories of manic-depressive psychosis explain ... more SummarySince neither the unipolar nor the bipolar theories of manic-depressive psychosis explain all its features, an alternative model was tested. The hypotheses are that mixed affective psychoses represent a superimposition on hypomania of a second type of depression which can sometimes develop from the depressive phase of manic-depressive psychosis, and that schizophrenia occurring in the course of a manic-depressive illness is an alternative to mixed affective psychosis.From an examination of the clinical histories of a random sample of people with bipolar manic-depressive psychosis, evidence was found to support both ideas.
Abstract: 'Consciousness' has been called the 'final frontier' for sci-ence, ... more Abstract: 'Consciousness' has been called the 'final frontier' for sci-ence, philosophy's 'hard problem', and the greatest mystery in mysti-cism. It is a central focus in philosophy of mind. Yet confusion abounds about what 'consciousness' means even among philoso-phers, ...
Fifty-four acutely manic patients were allocated to treatment on a double-blind basis with either... more Fifty-four acutely manic patients were allocated to treatment on a double-blind basis with either carbamazepine or lithium carbonate. The short-term effects of treatment were studied over a period of six weeks and the longer term, prophylactic, effects over a period of up to a year. Additional ‘rescue’ medication was allowed when clinically indicated. There was a high drop-out rate from the trial. Despite this, it appeared that valid comparisons between the two treatments could be made. No statistically significant differences were found, but carbamazepine appeared slightly less effective as a treatment for acute mania and more effective as a prophylactic treatment in this group of patients. Possible predictors of individual responsiveness to each treatment are discussed.
enhanced by analogies taken from computer tech nology. It is that awareness, the very essence of ... more enhanced by analogies taken from computer tech nology. It is that awareness, the very essence of any person, is due to information processing within certain functionally defined systems of the brain and might in principle be an attribute of any sufficiently elaborate information processing machinery whether made of neurones or silicon chips. In this simple form there are obvious problems with the idea. For instance, could a room thermostat be said to possess that most primitive form of mentality since it "knows" if the room is too hot or too cold? What
I suggest here that 'mind' can usefully be viewed as a process of integrating environmental dynam... more I suggest here that 'mind' can usefully be viewed as a process of integrating environmental dynamics with brain dynamics. It is probably expressed in brains in fractal patterns of ionic fluxes, especially calcium ion fluxes. Consciousness may be founded in a neutral monism at the basis of reality. As manifest in us however, it could prove to be a translation, mediated by implications of Heisenberg time/energy uncertainty, of spatio-temporal aspects of 'mind' into a tempero-spatial format. Differences between qualia might conceivably have a basis in knot theory. Potentially useful research directions are then briefly described.
Outlines a pan-protopsychist theory of consciousness that identifies protopsychist elements with ... more Outlines a pan-protopsychist theory of consciousness that identifies protopsychist elements with the temporal 'flipside' of energy eigenstates
(From my Editor's Introduction, "Transcending Self-Consciousness" in Papers)
Self-transcendence ... more (From my Editor's Introduction, "Transcending Self-Consciousness" in Papers)
Self-transcendence should not be confused with the self-transformation that takes place throughout one’s life. One changes, often in unexpected ways, but the self still feels it is at helm of action and is the guiding light of consciousness. The self may be transformed so it becomes more transparent or permeable, and, in that way, one edges towards self-transcendence. But absolute transcendence of the self would dissolve that self with original awareness continuing in an unfathomably intense present without a past or future. Awareness-in-itself could be said to be aware of nothing or of everything, for without differentiation there could be no difference.
But, self-consciousness transcended (as opposed to self-dissolution, so the remembering self remains itself remembered) could have metaphysical implications: Those who have cultivated the transcending of self-consciousness in life, experiencing it over and over again and gaining a measure of control over the awakening, may well be able to retain the artifacts of selfhood – memories – as original awareness leaves the body behind, that is, in death. Just as the electricity continues after the light bulb darkens, life energy withdraws from the body but continues as unbound dynamism, but, in the latter case of self as silent witness, the memories of a lifetime may go with it, perhaps to enrich the manifold of experience in that source, which, in this way undergoes change and learning. Without those memories, able to withstand such radical decentering, the self dies with the body.
My Editorial for this issue functions as an abstract: "Time & Experience: Twins of the Eternal No... more My Editorial for this issue functions as an abstract: "Time & Experience: Twins of the Eternal Now?" is located amongst my papers:
In a previous study of old people living in the community, those with functional psychiatric diso... more In a previous study of old people living in the community, those with functional psychiatric disorders (usually neuroses) were found to have relatively low IQs on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) (Britton et al., 1967). This observation required confirmation and was open to a number of interpretations.
SummarySince neither the unipolar nor the bipolar theories of manic-depressive psychosis explain ... more SummarySince neither the unipolar nor the bipolar theories of manic-depressive psychosis explain all its features, an alternative model was tested. The hypotheses are that mixed affective psychoses represent a superimposition on hypomania of a second type of depression which can sometimes develop from the depressive phase of manic-depressive psychosis, and that schizophrenia occurring in the course of a manic-depressive illness is an alternative to mixed affective psychosis.From an examination of the clinical histories of a random sample of people with bipolar manic-depressive psychosis, evidence was found to support both ideas.
Abstract: 'Consciousness' has been called the 'final frontier' for sci-ence, ... more Abstract: 'Consciousness' has been called the 'final frontier' for sci-ence, philosophy's 'hard problem', and the greatest mystery in mysti-cism. It is a central focus in philosophy of mind. Yet confusion abounds about what 'consciousness' means even among philoso-phers, ...
Fifty-four acutely manic patients were allocated to treatment on a double-blind basis with either... more Fifty-four acutely manic patients were allocated to treatment on a double-blind basis with either carbamazepine or lithium carbonate. The short-term effects of treatment were studied over a period of six weeks and the longer term, prophylactic, effects over a period of up to a year. Additional ‘rescue’ medication was allowed when clinically indicated. There was a high drop-out rate from the trial. Despite this, it appeared that valid comparisons between the two treatments could be made. No statistically significant differences were found, but carbamazepine appeared slightly less effective as a treatment for acute mania and more effective as a prophylactic treatment in this group of patients. Possible predictors of individual responsiveness to each treatment are discussed.
enhanced by analogies taken from computer tech nology. It is that awareness, the very essence of ... more enhanced by analogies taken from computer tech nology. It is that awareness, the very essence of any person, is due to information processing within certain functionally defined systems of the brain and might in principle be an attribute of any sufficiently elaborate information processing machinery whether made of neurones or silicon chips. In this simple form there are obvious problems with the idea. For instance, could a room thermostat be said to possess that most primitive form of mentality since it "knows" if the room is too hot or too cold? What
There is a more subtle point to make concerning the number of subjects that are needed. The aphor... more There is a more subtle point to make concerning the number of subjects that are needed. The aphor-ism, attributed to Osler, that one should always use a new drug while it remains effective is not necessarily due only to placebo effects. New drugs will often help a proportion of ...
First a confession: your reporter did not attend every session of this fascinating workshop. It w... more First a confession: your reporter did not attend every session of this fascinating workshop. It was held in a vast centre, vaguely reminis-cent of the Potsdam palace, set in an Alpine valley and a favourite venue for conferences. Inside, labyrinthine corridors both literal and ...
I suggest here that 'mind' can usefully be viewed as a process of integrating environmental dynam... more I suggest here that 'mind' can usefully be viewed as a process of integrating environmental dynamics with brain dynamics. It is probably expressed in brains in fractal patterns of ionic fluxes, especially calcium ion fluxes. Consciousness may be founded in a neutral monism at the basis of reality. As manifest in us however, it could prove to be a translation, mediated by implications of Heisenberg time/energy uncertainty, of spatio-temporal aspects of 'mind' into a tempero-spatial format. Differences between qualia might conceivably have a basis in knot theory. Potentially useful research directions are then briefly described.
A type of pan-protopsychist theory is briefly described that views energy eigenstate manifestatio... more A type of pan-protopsychist theory is briefly described that views energy eigenstate manifestations as accompanied by protopsychist elements termed SoSs (scintillae of subjectivity). These are pictured as threads of 'real time', a concept distinct from the metric 'clock time' of relativity theory and everyday usage. Such threads are 'woven' in the brain into patterns that constitute the flow of our conscious experience (only some of which gets into neural memories and is reportable). There is surprisingly strong evidence that these patterns can persist, from a clock time perspective, independently of their originating brains. The theory makes a strong, in principle testable, prediction that conscious mind related violations of energy conservation should prove discoverable.
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Books by Chris Nunn
Self-transcendence should not be confused with the self-transformation that takes place throughout one’s life. One changes, often in unexpected ways, but the self still feels it is at helm of action and is the guiding light of consciousness. The self may be transformed so it becomes more transparent or permeable, and, in that way, one edges towards self-transcendence. But absolute transcendence of the self would dissolve that self with original awareness continuing in an unfathomably intense present without a past or future. Awareness-in-itself could be said to be aware of nothing or of everything, for without differentiation there could be no difference.
But, self-consciousness transcended (as opposed to self-dissolution, so the remembering self remains itself remembered) could have metaphysical implications: Those who have cultivated the transcending of self-consciousness in life, experiencing it over and over again and gaining a measure of control over the awakening, may well be able to retain the artifacts of selfhood – memories – as original awareness leaves the body behind, that is, in death. Just as the electricity continues after the light bulb darkens, life energy withdraws from the body but continues as unbound dynamism, but, in the latter case of self as silent witness, the memories of a lifetime may go with it, perhaps to enrich the manifold of experience in that source, which, in this way undergoes change and learning. Without those memories, able to withstand such radical decentering, the self dies with the body.
http://unbc.academia.edu/GregoryNixon/Papers/247835/_Time_and_Experience_Twins_of_the_Eternal_Now_
Papers by Chris Nunn
Self-transcendence should not be confused with the self-transformation that takes place throughout one’s life. One changes, often in unexpected ways, but the self still feels it is at helm of action and is the guiding light of consciousness. The self may be transformed so it becomes more transparent or permeable, and, in that way, one edges towards self-transcendence. But absolute transcendence of the self would dissolve that self with original awareness continuing in an unfathomably intense present without a past or future. Awareness-in-itself could be said to be aware of nothing or of everything, for without differentiation there could be no difference.
But, self-consciousness transcended (as opposed to self-dissolution, so the remembering self remains itself remembered) could have metaphysical implications: Those who have cultivated the transcending of self-consciousness in life, experiencing it over and over again and gaining a measure of control over the awakening, may well be able to retain the artifacts of selfhood – memories – as original awareness leaves the body behind, that is, in death. Just as the electricity continues after the light bulb darkens, life energy withdraws from the body but continues as unbound dynamism, but, in the latter case of self as silent witness, the memories of a lifetime may go with it, perhaps to enrich the manifold of experience in that source, which, in this way undergoes change and learning. Without those memories, able to withstand such radical decentering, the self dies with the body.
http://unbc.academia.edu/GregoryNixon/Papers/247835/_Time_and_Experience_Twins_of_the_Eternal_Now_