IN SEARCH OF THE THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE CONSCIOUSNESS-MIND-ENCEPHALON-BODY-ENVIRONMENT PROBLEM: WHAT THE PHYSICS HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE BASIC CONSTITUTION OF THE WORLD?

Abstract

This paper is the first of a sequence designed to achieve a theoretical project I propose to develop along two interconnected parts, although independent of each other. From the purpose I have chosen to evolve its first part, that is, to outline the foundations on which I have supported my general treatment to the multiple problems raised by the interaction and integration relations between consciousness, mind, encephalon, body and environment, I will seek to outline what is known about the physical constitution of the world in the light of the best available theories of physics, in particular from the standard model of particle physics. Throughout the paper, I attempt to show that, despite its limitations and shortcomings, the Standard Model is sufficient for my original purposes, although the gravitational force can only be incorporated through revisions and extensions of this model. The development of the arguments of this paper makes room for my next step, namely, to maintain that the basic theses of emergentism (physical monism, synchronic determination and systemic and emergent properties) offer the best material available for the research of the consciousness and its place within natural world beyond the limitations of reductive physicalisms.