Ramachandran’s New Physics and Neuroscience
Neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran states that the question of consciousness cannot be answered “in any obvious terms.” Most neuroscientists don't think about the question of consciousness, as it doesn't typically arise in neuroscience or in physics. But, he says, the ancient Vedic texts of India do address the problem of consciousness, the problem of qualia.
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V. S. Ramachandran
Professor of Neuroscience & Psychology
V. S. Ramachandran is an Indian-American neuroscientist and professor at the University of California, San Diego, known for pioneering work on brain plasticity and phantom limbs. He combines intuition with innovative methods to investigate complex neurological phenomena such as synesthesia and body image disorders.
Key Takeaways
Core Claim
Consciousness is a real part of reality that physics alone cannot fully explain.
How It Works
A new hybrid discipline of physics and neuroscience must integrate first-person experience with physical laws.
Distinguishing Idea
Draws on both modern science and ancient Vedic thought to confront the problem of qualia.
Ramachandran’s New Physics and Neuroscience
Neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran states that the question of consciousness cannot be answered “in any obvious terms.” Most neuroscientists don't think about the question of consciousness, as it doesn't typically arise in neuroscience or in physics. But, he says, the ancient Vedic texts of India do address the problem of consciousness, the problem of qualia (Ramachandran, 2019).
“Physics, by definition, is a third-person description of the world; its laws have no subjective quality at all.” Physics has different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, but “you see colors: where does these come from? Consciousness emerges only in a first-person description of the world. I see red; not red is seen by me. I see red!”
“How can physics, including neuroscience, be a complete description of the world if it excludes my primary sensory experience, if it does not admit a first-person perspective?” Ramachandran asks. (He considers neuroscience a branch of physics.) “That I'm looking at the cosmos from here now has no privileged status in science. For me, I have a privileged status. How is that possible? That's the problem.”
“We need a new hybrid discipline, physics and neuroscience, that includes consciousness,” Ramachandran asserts. “Consciousness is part of reality, but how it entwines with physical laws needs to be explored” (Ramachandran, 2019).
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