The Unsettling Enigma of Consciousness

Atheism’s inability to provide a satisfactory explanation for the emergence of consciousness is a significant weakness in its philosophical framework. The notion that consciousness arose from non-conscious matter, often referred to as “emergentism,” appears to be a convenient cop-out for those unwilling to consider the existence of a supreme intelligence.

The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Philosopher David Chalmers’ distinction between the “easy problems” and the “hard problem” of consciousness highlights the difficulties faced by atheistic attempts to explain conscious experience. While science has made significant progress in understanding the neural correlates of consciousness, the hard problem – why we have subjective experiences at all – remains an enigma.

As Chalmers notes, “even if we knew every detail about the functioning of the brain and nervous system, we would still not know why we have conscious experience” (Chalmers, 1995). This fundamental question lies beyond the reach of empirical science, leaving atheism without a convincing explanation for the emergence of consciousness.

The Inadequacy of Emergentism

Emergentism posits that complex systems give rise to novel properties, including consciousness. However, this perspective fails to provide a mechanistic explanation for how non-conscious matter generates subjective experience. It is unclear why the mere arrangement of neurons and synapses should result in the emergence of conscious awareness.

Furthermore, emergentism relies on an unsubstantiated assumption that complex systems can somehow bootstrap themselves into consciousness without any prior intentionality or direction. This approach seems to rely on a mysterious, unexplained “magic” that defies rational inquiry.

The Implications of Intentionality

Conscious experience is inherently intentional, meaning it is directed towards objects and aspects of the environment. The existence of intentionality poses significant challenges for atheistic explanations of consciousness. If consciousness arose from non-conscious matter, why do we observe a pervasive sense of directionality and purpose in conscious experience?

The philosopher John Searle argues that intentionality cannot be reduced to purely physical or functional processes (Searle, 1992). This implies that consciousness may require a non-physical, intentional explanation – an idea anathema to atheistic worldviews.

The Failure of Atheism to Provide a Coherent Explanation

Atheism’s inability to provide a convincing explanation for the emergence of consciousness from non-conscious matter is a significant flaw in its philosophical framework. The convenient cop-out of emergentism fails to address the fundamental questions surrounding conscious experience, and the implications of intentionality further complicate atheistic attempts to explain consciousness.

In contrast, the existence of a supreme intelligence offers a more coherent explanation for the emergence of consciousness, as it provides a rational basis for understanding the intentional nature of conscious experience. Atheism’s failure to provide a satisfactory account of consciousness highlights the need to reexamine assumptions about the existence of God or a higher power.

References:

Chalmers, D. J. (1995). Facing up to the hard problem of consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2(3), 200-219.

Searle, J. R. (1992). The Construction of Social Reality. Penguin Books.

This critique highlights the weaknesses in atheism’s explanation of consciousness, demonstrating that the emergence of conscious experience from non-conscious matter remains an unresolved enigma. The failure to provide a coherent explanation for intentionality and the hard problem of consciousness underscores the need to reconsider the existence of a supreme intelligence.