Reviews for The Nature of Consciousness: The Structure of Reality

The average rating for The Nature of Consciousness: The Structure of Reality based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-03-17 00:00:00 Gidian Plebuch Few books cover in a single book as many diverse subjects as science, physics, mathematics, quantum mechanics, epistemology, biology, psychology of behavior, love, religion, among others. All of this to find the nature of consciousness and the structure of reality. The author develops throughout the book, his findings of more than 20 years of work. His purpose in writing this book was to share the development and evolution of his quest, until he reached the culmination of the answer he sought. The author insist and repeats at all times a methodology for the search of the truth, which must be based on the principles of the scientific method, putting aside the beliefs and assumptions, and that all facts and arguments should be able to be proven scientifically. He insists on doubting fist any assertion before it can be demonstrated by the scientific method, even what the author proposes in the book. However the exposure and development of the themes seems to be very speculative, abstract, like a mind theories, without the necessary empirical support. Reading this book is not an easy task, because of the amplitude of the topics it presents. I found it too complicated to follow the subjects of quantum mechanics, mathematical sets and logic, even though I have some notions on these matters. The writing style of the book seems to me repetitive, which is tedious at times. I do not consider this a book aimed to layperson, since in some subjects, in particular the sections that talks about quantum mechanics and mathematical sets, are treated with such deeply that requires a knowledge of an expert in the subject, and which makes it difficult to read for average readers. The section about religion, although I find it interesting, I feel it too large, repetitive, and at the end I did not understand what contributes to the purpose of the book. What also confused to me, is the way in which the author develops the subjects, advancing little by little in circles, at a slow pace, with many repetitions, long explanations, which causes me to be lost with ease. Some of the topics from my particular point of view are incorrect or incomplete. Among many, for example the people´s behavioral model, my opinion is that it is very simplified, and does not take into account the different models of conduct that have been produced in the field behavior psychology. The arguments to explain the origin of life, which are justified only by entropy and negentropy, seems to be very speculative, and does not take into account the role that play other theories like the dissipative structures or panspermia among others. I found it interesting the model of the structure of reality that the author proposes, based on the different realms and universes. I understand that the main argument of the book is to establish a relationship between the most recent theories and discoveries in the field of quantum mechanics, the mathematics of sets and the mathematical logic with their Realm/Universe proposed model. However is not clear to me the demonstration of the veracity of this approach, so the objective of the book for me remain in doubt. I found interesting the explanation that the "whole" is a kind of "holographic universe", an idea that takes from David Bohm, where the universe contains the whole in every part that makes it up. Another argument that draws my attention is the explanation of the "purpose of existence" as the "return of the parts to Unity". This argument is a common statement that is found in various systems of beliefs of metaphysical type, like the Zoroastrianism and the Gurdjieff´s Fourth Way, among others. (In some sense, this arguments resembles the Ouspenski ´s Model of Universe). At the end, the value of this book resides in that it shows the experience, the travel path, and the findings of a "seeker of truth". It is of great value to all those readers who, like the author too, are "seeking the truth". The quest for finding the truth, will always have its difficulties, its errors, omissions and imperfections. The author proposes, in a very individual and intimate way, (not in the manner of a typical scientific researcher who writes books and articles in the scientific community), to share and contribute what he has learnt, and give it to all those who share the same goal. That is why I recommend this book, regardless of its imperfections. It stimulates and grows the passion to continue the quest to find the nature of reality.

Review # 2 was written on 2008-02-12 00:00:00 Darby Little The self-righteousness is hard to swallow. Well done to these people, who can live the Amish or Amish-ish way, but they leave little middle ground for the rest of us. Wendell Berry's sole essay is far and away the most intelligent and readable of this collection. I read the book hoping for inspiration for a simpler life and instead got a bunch of self-congratulatory people, so pleased with themselves for keeping their heads in the sand.