sloppy, im tired.
I have been thinking lately about non-physical realms of existence. I don't feel like discussing what I mean by non-physical at the moment, or deciding if that is the most appropriate term, but hopefully, readers can follow along...
In Hoffstader's book, "I Am a Strange Loop", he makes a convincing argument for complex concepts in our mind, including our concept of self,or I, being non-physical - at least insofar as they are composed of the patterns that emerge in the shuffling of the physical stuff. This idea resonated with the idea often emphasized in treatise on meditation - that you are not your mind/brain. There is the physical stuff of the brain, out of which emerges concepts including the concept of I. The concept of I could be considered like any other concept - something which has a kind of autonomy from the physical body, although it emerges from it.
Another thing I was thinking about along these lines - ah, don't remember.
Also, wrt to evolution on our planet - it could be said that the evolution of species in every corner of the planet, including the harshest and most miserable environments, is a testament to the will (to survive? to be happy?) among the living. But then again, if some creature had less will (to survive? to be happy?), it would arguably suffer less in general, and then not find harsh climates as bad as those who could experience more of life. In either case, you could get life in harsh places.
In Hoffstader's book, "I Am a Strange Loop", he makes a convincing argument for complex concepts in our mind, including our concept of self,or I, being non-physical - at least insofar as they are composed of the patterns that emerge in the shuffling of the physical stuff. This idea resonated with the idea often emphasized in treatise on meditation - that you are not your mind/brain. There is the physical stuff of the brain, out of which emerges concepts including the concept of I. The concept of I could be considered like any other concept - something which has a kind of autonomy from the physical body, although it emerges from it.
Another thing I was thinking about along these lines - ah, don't remember.
Also, wrt to evolution on our planet - it could be said that the evolution of species in every corner of the planet, including the harshest and most miserable environments, is a testament to the will (to survive? to be happy?) among the living. But then again, if some creature had less will (to survive? to be happy?), it would arguably suffer less in general, and then not find harsh climates as bad as those who could experience more of life. In either case, you could get life in harsh places.