could a proto-consciousness field theory replace the theory of dark matter

Dark Matter is merely a theoretical construct which grew out of mankind's inability to grasp the fundamental source of gravity.

originally posted by: dfnj2015
a reply to: DpatC

The canvas of our mind's creativity has no boundaries.

That right there is a brilliant quote

originally posted by: More1ThanAny1
You are a part of the universe, and you are conscious, therefore the universe is conscious.

This seems to be a fallacy because the conclusion ought to read "therefore part of the universe is conscious."

P1 and P2 are true but it does not follow (non sequitur) that the whole universe is conscious, only part of it "you".

Google "affirming the consequent" to learn more about fallacies similar to this.

Although the premises are true, the argument itself is invalid and so unsound.

a reply to: muzzleflash

My friend,

The word "universe" is a noun defined as "all existing matter and space considered as a whole". The important part is "considered as a whole". When speaking about the universe, anything that is attributed to a part is attributed to the whole. So if a part of the universe is conscious, and the universe is one whole thing, then that means the universe is conscious.

This is not unlike saying "you are conscious", and then someone claiming that is a fallacy because only part of you is conscious (your brain) and not the rest of your body. You see?

Semantics aside, focusing on the scientific and the philosophical, considering the notion that consciousness emanates from matter, there is not a single part of your conscious self that could exist without the rest of your body. Your body could not exist without an environment that supports it. The environment couldn't exist without a world to contain it. The world couldn't exist without a solar system to support it. The solar system couldn't exist without a space to contain it. So on and so forth.

You begin to see that your body doesn't stop at your skin, bones, and organs. The environment is just as much a part of your body as anything else, especially when you breathe it in and consume it. The environment can't exist without the rest of the parts of the universe being in place to support it either. So on and so forth. The universe is just as much a part of your body as is your heart. Take out any part of this equation and you cease to exists.

Therefor the universe is your body, and the universe is conscious as a whole.

However, this topic and topics I have written recently focus on panpsychism which is another subject altogether. It may be true that the material world isn't even real and all is a product of our consciousness. This is more of an outside-in approach opposed to the common inside-out approach. Instead of existing inside a universe and looking out (material world), you are the universe itself and you are looking in (mental world).

In the case of panpsychism the saying "you are a part of the universe, you are conscious, therefor the universe is conscious" still holds. That is because you are the universe, and you are conscious.