Thanks for the fascinating article and for incorporating my ideas into your analysis! It's really exciting to see these concepts being explored by more and more people!
The personal aspect of a universal consciousness is a tricky one, for sure. We might have to let go of anthropomorphic notions of a personal God. But in a broader sense, if the universe is the ultimate experiencer, then it is a personal "self" - just a radically expanded, non-human type of self.
In any case, I'm really impressed by how you're pushing forward the metaphysical implications of panpsychism. It's pioneering stuff and there's a lot of uncharted territory to explore. Articles like yours are helping to map the way. 😊
I'm always keen to dive deeper into these ideas together, whether it's the combination problem, the nature of cosmic consciousness, or the wider spiritual implications of panpsychism. There's so much more to figure out and discuss!
Let's definitely keep the conversation going. I'm excited to see where your thinking leads next.
Yes I completely agree that God being "personal" is a weird thing to attribute to God anyway, even in the classical theist tradition. I'm not sure in what sense the actus purus, the ground of all being, in ineffable essence, is a person? I think in the future I may write something about God as person as portrayed in the Bible, versus how he is understood by the broader Christian philosophical tradition. Returning to pantheism though, as you point out, maybe God is personal in some sense, but not in the sense that humans are persons.
I feel like I'm just getting started with panpsychism- there is so much to explore! You've definition pushed my thinking on the topic. Let's definitely keep talking :)
I was planning on writing up an email after I had finished more of your articles (they have been great so far!). But I can't help myself. As we were touching very briefly on metaphysics, self-investigation, and you have an interest in mystical considerations, I just wanted to give you a brief snapshot of how I see all that coming together. In your article above you listed several attributes under the section "Is the Universe God?" My hypothesis for you to consider in your efforts of synthesis across those topics above: what you've listed as attributes of "God" are actually attributes of reality *itself* and, consequently, of your most basic nature.
I know it sounds far-fetched on its face. But these are rocks definitely worth turning over :) Hoping we get to continue the conversation soon! And I will keep reading with much interest! All the best!
Hey Ben,
Thanks for the fascinating article and for incorporating my ideas into your analysis! It's really exciting to see these concepts being explored by more and more people!
The personal aspect of a universal consciousness is a tricky one, for sure. We might have to let go of anthropomorphic notions of a personal God. But in a broader sense, if the universe is the ultimate experiencer, then it is a personal "self" - just a radically expanded, non-human type of self.
In any case, I'm really impressed by how you're pushing forward the metaphysical implications of panpsychism. It's pioneering stuff and there's a lot of uncharted territory to explore. Articles like yours are helping to map the way. 😊
I'm always keen to dive deeper into these ideas together, whether it's the combination problem, the nature of cosmic consciousness, or the wider spiritual implications of panpsychism. There's so much more to figure out and discuss!
Let's definitely keep the conversation going. I'm excited to see where your thinking leads next.
Cheers,
Alex
Thanks Alex :)
Yes I completely agree that God being "personal" is a weird thing to attribute to God anyway, even in the classical theist tradition. I'm not sure in what sense the actus purus, the ground of all being, in ineffable essence, is a person? I think in the future I may write something about God as person as portrayed in the Bible, versus how he is understood by the broader Christian philosophical tradition. Returning to pantheism though, as you point out, maybe God is personal in some sense, but not in the sense that humans are persons.
I feel like I'm just getting started with panpsychism- there is so much to explore! You've definition pushed my thinking on the topic. Let's definitely keep talking :)
Hello Ben!
I was planning on writing up an email after I had finished more of your articles (they have been great so far!). But I can't help myself. As we were touching very briefly on metaphysics, self-investigation, and you have an interest in mystical considerations, I just wanted to give you a brief snapshot of how I see all that coming together. In your article above you listed several attributes under the section "Is the Universe God?" My hypothesis for you to consider in your efforts of synthesis across those topics above: what you've listed as attributes of "God" are actually attributes of reality *itself* and, consequently, of your most basic nature.
I know it sounds far-fetched on its face. But these are rocks definitely worth turning over :) Hoping we get to continue the conversation soon! And I will keep reading with much interest! All the best!
-Lance
Thanks for this perspective Lance- I think that's great! Definitely something to think about 🤔