Can you prove that consiousness exists and how do you quantify it (measure it)?

Question

I know that I am consious, but how does one prove that it is something tangible and real. If it only exists within our brains, how can it exist if we can not prove it and if you could prove it, would it be possible to measure it on some sort of scale. ( I'm not talking about IQ but actual consciousness.)

Answer 1

Couple of points real quick like...

The fact that you ask the question and expect us to read it, think about it, and then answer presupposes consciousness on both your part and the reader's part. It's pretty much an absurd question along the lines of me saying "The English language is devoid of any ability to convey information". The fact that I use English to express it presupposes that it is efficacious in conveying information.

And on "proof"... the only things that are provable are mathematics and logically necessary truths. Everything else is just evidence subject to interpretation. Technically you can't prove "yesterday" happened. I can always present an alternate interpretation of the evidence. Granted, the interpretation would probably require some pretty significant mental gymnastics, but never underestimate a committed doubter. :-)

In short, your question contains at least two logical problems that make it technically unanswerable.

Answer 2

Proving that consiousness exists can be quite tricky. First, scientists have yet to agree on whether it can be a "physical" thing at all. But it is not that we cannot prove it, it is that we are unable understand and explain the mechanism for consciousness. The networking of neurons cohesively working together in our brain is the underlying framework that allows consciousness in humans to exist. Quantifying consiousness would be irrelevant. Consciousness is the ability of a species to comprehend and question its reality. All humans have a consciousness and that is one part of being human. Explaining it on a level that we could all understand would be a great scientific achievement.

JC

Answer 3

There's a simple way actually. Place your hand on the table. First before you do that -obtain a ballpeen hammer. Put your left hand on the table and with your right hand around the hammer handle rare back and hit your hand with it. Now measure how conscious you are by the amount of pain your feeling. When you're feeling no pain then you're not actually aware of your consciousness because you never think about it. Best answer I can give. I was just kidding about hitting your hand, but I'm just trying to prove a point without being mathematical about it.

Answer 4

Having a consious is also meaning you have a heart.If you recognize your motives on an issue and if it affects your feelings in any way it's good. It shows within yourself that you don't have a heart of stone.

Answer 5

I think, therefore I am. Measuring ones alpha, beta, delta or theta brain waves suggest which level of conscienceness we're at. Of course, there are higher levels of conscienceness obtained by Yogis or if you're stoned on acid or the like, i.e. Cosmic Conscienceness.

Answer 6

I say that you can't even write "concious" correctly or use spell-check. You get mad. You gotta have a consiousness to be mad, which proves that it exists.

Answer 7

The fact that you can even formulate this question answers it!