Why the Hard Problem of Appreciating Physical Reality?

An exercise in Evopoetry.

Reflections of a science enthusiast’s seven decade love affair with learning about Earth; what was going on around me; and how that connected with what was going on within me.

Philosophers ask: why does physical processing feel like anything at all? Joseph Levine called it the Explanatory Gap, and David Chalmers popularized it as the Hard Problem.

I, on the other hand, have spent decades wondering how any complex creature could possibly not have had a sense of “being.” Even if originally only a most flimsy feeling lacking all introspection.

Why do I care? Well, I guess because breeding and family circumstance have had me in love with, and engaged with this planet that created me. One could even say, I’ve been invested in the scientific adventure of discovery since before entering kindergarten in 1959. I caught the last gasp of the age-old wonder that once possessed mankind because I was introduced to the wonder of humanity’s ageless questions, while many of those mysteries still existed. Then early 1980s there was Attenborough’s: Life On Earth, insightful beyond description. So I consider myself a card-carrying enthusiastic, curious, critical-thinking spectator of my world through the scientific lens. I’ve undertaken this exercise in “Evopoetry” to see if I could convey a crystallization of that adventure.

My story started with appreciating Earth’s evolution, not as an intellectual construct, but as real physical happening that produced my ‘me’ and my world, one day at a time.

Thanks to that I’ve long possessed a visceral appreciation that I possess half a billion years worth of evolving generations under my bellybutton. This attitude has fed a conviction that my body knows more than I do, so I learned to pay attention to it. It paid off. It’s why I make a point of identifying as an Earth-centrist. Here’s my story.

It’s my perspective, based on my lived experience plus the scientific understanding I have gained from among the best and brightest minds Humanity has had to offer. That’s why I share many names and sources for the curious; check ’em out, you won’t be disappointed.

We start at the beginning, where there was a rigid consistency as primal hydrogen and helium was joined by gravity, evolved our Periodic Table of Elements via star formation and annihilation. These atoms were entities. This is based on observations that atoms send and receive information; impinge upon and accrete with other entities; possess unique properties according to their composition and arrangement.

Of course, it was all on a quantum, gravitational level. Choice didn’t exist; and awareness had nothing to do with it.

This is not “panpsychism” — nothing is imbued with anything — it simply is what it is. Energetic physical stuff in its own right, taking up a specific reference frame, interacting with others’ reference frames. Nothing more, nothing less.

A cosmos filled with entities constrained within their own particular physicality and cone of potential. Each oblivious to its being. Because there was no need for it and no means to it. Yet a something! With a unique frame of reference and a substance of its own.

Ethan Siegel, there is physics, and there is Earth. Medium.com

Also published at Medium.com.  Come on down for some discussion.

Earthrise  (wiki)

On May 21st, Ethan Siegel published an article titled with a question, a challenge. “Does physics truly have anything to say about consciousness?”

I want to offer a qualified loud and clear no!

Physics is about physics. Physics operates under exacting natural laws, that we can track via mathematics.

Where is there any need for a choice when puzzling over a differential equation? It’s all about following rules and where they take us.

Beyond physics?

What could be beyond physics you ask?

Think about it, … there is physics and there is Earth !

What’s so special about Earth? Stop to ponder your response.

Here’s mine,

Behold Earth, where: Chemistry + geology + harnessing electricity + deep time = biology > Life > creatures > complex creatures > self-reflecting minds.

Zoom image will be displayed

Mother Earth

Professor Massimo Pigliucci asks: “What Hard Problem?”

I also published this at medium.com, July 2, 2025

Recently I published a short article at Medium.org questioning David Chalmers’ so-called hard problem of consciousness and a commenter took me to task.

Unfortunately he chose not to engage with my response, which is what usually happens. The heart of his complaint reads:

HS commented: “…But an organism still has to utilize the equipment available in its universe and how molecules or physical forces create consciousness is not explained just because, for example, a neuron has come to be.

Get it? It is still a hard problem. There has to be something inherent to that universe with the potential to create consciousness. …”

No. I don’t get it.

The universe is about as distal from down to Earth reality, as we can get. For me, the really hard problem is why does this sort of philosophizing get away with ignoring the realities of our evolutionary biological origins down here on Earth?

So, in an attempt to better clarify my previous article. I want to share from Professor Massimo Pigliucci’s short essay (©2013) in philosophynow.org. The essay asks: “What Hard Problem?” — and I believe it provides a perfect vehicle for constructively pushing back.

Airing-out David Chalmers' Problem

I also published this at medium.com, July 2, 2025

I come at these deep questions about human consciousness and origins from a biological bottom-up, evolutionary perspective.

One that, I believe, receives way too little attention. Especially in light of the past couple decades of amazing biological breakthroughs in understanding further layers of detail within our body/brain’s folds within folds of harmonic, cumulative, complexity.

From my Earth Centrist perspective Chalmers’ words personify human hubris and a curious tendency to expect Nature to prove itself to us.  Evolution has plenty to teach us about consciousness, why turn the philosophical cold shoulder to it?

As for me, my goal has been a graspable down to Earth understanding of mind, along with who I am, based on solid biology, evolutionary, scientific understanding along with a healthy appreciation for my animal nature and the Human Mind ~ Physical Reality divide.

Here I share representative quotes from David Chalmers and reflect on the blindspots. Then I invite critique and discussion. This is about a learning.

From: The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory ― David J. Chalmers

Chalmers: “There is nothing we know about more directly than consciousness, but it is far from clear how to reconcile it with everything else we know.

Why does (consciousness) exist?"

From within a biological bottom-up, evolutionary perspective, levels of consciousness exist because creatures had to differentiate between inside and outside; Creatures needed to develop ways to find and absorb good things; then to lock out bad things; and also to excrete bad things; while keeping good things within.

Learning how to recognize and maintain dynamic balance has been a life or death challenge since the beginnings of life itself.

Some form of internal awareness~consciousness has been a prerequisite for survival since the dawn of complex single cells — even more, as complex organisms evolved.

"How Physicalists Dismiss Consciousness" - Medium.com - a couple considerations.

How Physicalists Dismiss Consciousness - Medium.com

The hard problem and Anil Seth’s ‘real problem’(Apr 22, 2025)

I’ve been looking at some articles over at Medium.com, lots of interesting dialogue. "Matthew" offered me a chance to revisit a favorite dialogue I’m trying to share.

His closing punchline begs for closer scrutiny:

"The hard problem will require much more first principle positions than neuroscience can provide if its explanation is to be serious. Explaining how within some bundle of cells in your brain is an actual experience is a problem so preposterously difficult and seemingly absurd is seems to beg an entire re-conception of how we even understand what any “stuff” actually is. 

And it may be that these principles will always remain philosophical (read metaphysical) in nature, since it seems to be the case that a persistent observational equivalence will remain between various positions as to the nature of consciousness. 

But in any discussions on the nature of consciousness, it must be remembered that physicalism remains a speculative philosophical position rather than a conclusion resultant from unequivocal explanation. 

How the bundle of “stuff” inside your head produces that expansively experiential thing that you are is a question that remains scientifically elusive. The problem may be ‘real’ for a scientist, but right now, whatever Anil Seth says, the hard problem isn’t going anywhere." ( Matthew )

Physicalism remains speculative? Really? Think about what that implies. Are the formation of our universe and solar system mere philosophical positions? Is geology? Is biological evolution a philosophical position?

We don’t speak of those as if they were open metaphysical questions—yet when it comes to consciousness, suddenly we treat the physical as insufficient. Why?

David Bohm, Infinite Potential, consciousness through Planck scale processes?

 I'm sharing a comment from over at Center For Inquiry on a thread titled "David Bohm - Dalai Lama conversation" which looks at the Infinite Potential video about the work of David Bohm and it's "astounding implications."  The video is about happenings in the quantum realm, Planck scales, while we humans and the consciousness our biological bodies produce, live in the macro biological realm of Earth.

Brian Greene shared a wonderful metaphor to help visualize the vast gap between Bohm’s world of Infinite Potential at the Planck scale, and the biological reality we exist within:

A tree is to the Observable Universe, as the Planck scale is to an Atom.

My problem with this Infinite Potential video (all the others like it) boils down to discussing human consciousness without ever discussing Earth, or Evolution, or the fact that we humans are evolved biological sensing creatures.

Understanding our human consciousness requires appreciating the reality, that it is our bodies that produce our consciousness - and it is a half billion years of evolution that created the body you inhabit. That understanding changes your mind’s relationship with that body of yours, to the better.

That’s first base towards making sense of the human that you are and that I am. Nothing about us can truly make sense until we’ve achieved such a fundamental insight.

Reflections - people's fear - DNC's impotence

 Dear DNC Fundraisers, please realize your relentless deluge of fund raising texts - filled with melodramatic to hysterical messaging - is counter-productive.   If the Democratic Party isn't changing minds, we are losing! 

I had a travel day, which meant a chance to talk to and listen to people, watch them, think about the general state of things.

It was quite depressing trying to have intelligent fun conversations with people - it’s like so many are on a razor's edge, a layoff away from personal financial and emotional collapse - so many people who have built big facades, but with futures that are filled untenable expectations - especially in this MAGA age of self-inflicted wounds - and the gears starting to grind.  There is no rescue in sight, it would require millions who haven't shown any interest so far.   All the while, the Haves can only dream of spending and squander yet more!

As we keep moving closer to a maelstrom, lost as can be, because most have never bothered to develop any deeper scientific or philosophical self-understanding, an enlightened emotional appreciation for ourselves as a product of Earth's processes.  With a mind that our body creates and limitations that ought to respected.  

But most are too busy worrying about what others are thinking of them, and putting on airs, to hide weaknesses we'd rather not face. 

Too busy creating problems and worries to fret over, to have the time and focus to bring it back down to simple basics - like coming to terms with why you are here.  One way or the other.  

Like living your life, going through its seasons, having dreams and pursuing them,  the storms and the beautiful days, and the people, kin and friends and community.  Seeing what you've made of what the universe offered as we stumble through our individual days, and so on.

Considering current conditions - we’ve handed our government over to despots, who have complete (ignorance of, and) contempt for USA’s pluralistic future looking ideals and laws of the land. As well as contempt for agreements made and regulations, as well as, understanding history, the rule of law, education, expertise, cooperation, pragmatic goodwill and FairPlay. Not to disregard for dealing with the world populations and human relation from a position of sober rational appreciation for today’s reality, *not yesterday’s domination.* And so on and so forth.

A Democracy has always demanded a respect for ideals we’ll never live up to.  We still want to acknowledge their importance and striving to do better, (not regress into another dark ages).

Healthy Democracies demand an informed and engage electorate,

We needed a large cross-section of citizens understanding the workings of governing within democratic principles as practiced by being active in special taxing governing boards, local governments, civic and other organizations that follow [Robert’s Rules](https://www.boardeffect.com/blog/roberts-rules-of-order-cheat-sheet/) of [Order](https://www.forakergroup.org/is-robert-in-the-room-rethinking-how-we-use-roberts-rules-of-order/)

Now in this time and place the single most important and significant thing the Democratic Party could do is rethink their nonstop donations demands, which I think is pissing off, more than helping attract participation - DNC needs to realize that text space should start being used to help inform, engage, strategize (with the donation pitch at the bottom!!).  Help us citizens network with like-minded - let democracy grow.

We need substantive helpful information and connection building. A suggestion: Why not a private Democratic online discussion forum?   

This would enable the DNC to communicate directly with interested voters; it would be a platform to inform, engage, motivate and help us network directly with likeminded. 

Can the Democratic Party leaders do that? Probably not. Especially if the DNC “brain trust” of the past decades isn’t tossed out.

Anything less will accomplish nothing, except for normalize our government’s literal self-destruction.

Dear DNC Fund Raisers, take a break.

Please realize your relentless deluge of fund raising texts - filled with melodramatic to hysterical messaging - is counter-productive.   

If the Democratic Party isn't changing minds, we are losing!  

DNC needs to inform, engage, and motive us!  These constant texts do nothing but irritate and worse - they drive people away because we are tapped out.  Instead, why not help us regular grassroots people network with likeminded Democrats to raise awareness.  Let's recapture the sense of the community spirit that once fueled our democracy.

We need substantive helpful information and connection building. 

A suggestion: Why not a private Democratic online discussion forum.