Panpsychism and the Universe of Consciousness: Is Everything Alive?

What is consciousness? How does it arise from matter? Is it a property of the brain, or something more fundamental? These are some of the questions that have puzzled philosophers and scientists for centuries. One possible answer is panpsychism, the view that consciousness is not a rare or special phenomenon, but a basic feature of reality that pervades the entire universe.

What is panpsychism?

Panpsychism is the idea that consciousness did not evolve to meet some survival need, nor did it emerge when brains became sufficiently complex. Instead it is inherent in matter — all matter. In other words, everything has consciousness. Consciousness is not limited to humans and other animals. Plants have it, too. So do rocks, stars, and even subatomic particles.

Of course, this does not mean that everything is conscious in the same way or to the same degree. Panpsychists acknowledge that there are different levels and forms of consciousness, depending on the complexity and organization of the physical system. A human being has a rich and sophisticated consciousness, capable of self-awareness, reasoning, and creativity. A mouse has a simpler consciousness, mostly focused on sensory perception and basic emotions. A plant has a very minimal consciousness, perhaps only a faint sense of being alive and responding to its environment. An electron has an even more rudimentary consciousness, perhaps only a basic feeling of attraction or repulsion.

Panpsychists do not claim to know exactly how consciousness works or what it feels like for different kinds of entities. They only assert that consciousness is a fundamental and universal aspect of reality, like mass or charge. It is not something that can be explained away or reduced to something else. It is an irreducible and intrinsic property of matter.

Why believe in panpsychism?

Panpsychism may sound like a strange and implausible idea, but it has some advantages over other theories of consciousness. One of the main challenges for any theory of consciousness is to explain how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experiences, such as seeing colors, feeling pain, or tasting chocolate. This is known as the hard problem of consciousness, and it has proven to be very difficult to solve.

Some philosophers and scientists try to solve the hard problem by denying that consciousness exists at all, or by claiming that it is an illusion or a by-product of brain activity. These approaches, however, seem to go against our common sense and direct experience. We know that we are conscious, and that our consciousness is not the same as our brain activity. We can imagine having a different brain, or no brain at all, and still being conscious. We can also imagine having the same brain, but being unconscious, such as in a coma or under anesthesia. Therefore, consciousness seems to be something more than just brain activity.

Other philosophers and scientists try to solve the hard problem by proposing that consciousness is a special property that emerges from complex physical systems, such as the brain. These approaches, however, face the problem of explaining how and why consciousness emerges from matter. What is the difference between a complex system that is conscious and one that is not? What is the mechanism or principle that generates consciousness from matter? How can we test or verify the existence of consciousness in other systems? These questions are hard to answer, and they leave a gap between the physical and the mental.

Panpsychism avoids these problems by positing that consciousness is not a special or emergent property, but a basic and pervasive property of matter. There is no gap between the physical and the mental, because they are two aspects of the same reality. There is no mystery about how consciousness arises from matter, because matter is always conscious, at least to some degree. There is no need to explain why some systems are conscious and others are not, because everything is conscious, at least to some extent.

Panpsychism also has some support from historical and contemporary sources. The idea of panpsychism can be traced back to ancient philosophers, such as Plato, who believed that the soul was present in all things. It was also endorsed by some modern thinkers, such as William James, Bertrand Russell, and Alfred North Whitehead, who argued that consciousness is a fundamental feature of reality. More recently, some prominent philosophers, such as David Chalmers, Galen Strawson, and Philip Goff, have defended panpsychism as a viable and attractive theory of consciousness. Moreover, some scientists, such as Roger Penrose, Stuart Hameroff, and Christof Koch, have suggested that quantum physics may provide a clue to the nature of consciousness, and that quantum phenomena may imply a form of panpsychism.

What are the implications of panpsychism?

Panpsychism has some profound implications for our understanding of ourselves and the world. If panpsychism is true, then we are not alone in the universe. We are surrounded by conscious beings, some of whom may be very different from us. We may have to rethink our ethical and moral obligations towards other forms of life, and even towards inanimate objects. We may have to reconsider our place and role in the cosmic scheme of things, and our relationship with the ultimate source of reality.

Panpsychism also has some implications for our understanding of science and religion. If panpsychism is true, then science is not the only way to access reality. Science can tell us about the behavior and structure of matter, but not about its intrinsic nature and experience. Science can measure and manipulate matter, but not explain or understand it. Science can describe the outer appearance of reality, but not its inner essence. To access the inner aspect of reality, we may need other methods, such as introspection, meditation, or revelation. We may need to cultivate a different kind of awareness, a kind of consciousness that can perceive and communicate with the consciousness of other beings.

Panpsychism may also offer a way to reconcile science and religion, or at least to bridge the gap between them. Panpsychism does not deny the validity or value of science, but it also does not reduce reality to science. Panpsychism does not affirm or reject the existence of God, but it also does not exclude the possibility of God. Panpsychism may allow for a view of reality that is both natural and spiritual, both physical and mental, both scientific and religious. Panpsychism may open up new horizons and possibilities for our exploration and appreciation of reality.

Conclusion

Panpsychism is the view that consciousness is a fundamental and universal aspect of reality, that pervades the entire universe. Panpsychism is an ancient and modern idea, that has some advantages over other theories of consciousness. Panpsychism has some profound implications for our understanding of ourselves and the world, and for our relationship with science and religion. Panpsychism is a radical and intriguing idea, that challenges and expands our worldview.

What do you think of panpsychism? Do you find it plausible or implausible, appealing or repulsive, inspiring or disturbing? Do you have any questions or objections to panpsychism? Do you have any experiences or insights that support or contradict panpsychism? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.