[djokkataja]

Fundamentally, all that I am is built from electrons, protons, and neutrons, but if you think I am "just a collection" of such things, you might struggle to differentiate between a human and a rock.

I also think that thinking of ourselves as "ultimately" being "nothing more" than whatever fundamentals give rise to our existence is a great way to deprive ourselves of meaning, given that there's quite a bit that goes on between the subatomic level and the experience you have as you read this. For example, from my own particular materialist point of view, I don't spend much time thinking about subatomic particles when I want to deepen the sense of "meaning" I have about any particular experience.

[ta1234567890]

Fundamentally, I believe, the main issue is that we have a tendency to believe or think that "reality" (the world/universe), is separate from us. But we cannot separate our perception or experience of reality from it. If I don't exist, then _my_ reality doesn't exist. And there's no way for anyone to experience anyone else's reality. So all individual realities are that, individual, and maybe a lot of us can agree on some stuff, but that doesn't necessarily mean that stuff is objectively real for everyone/the universe. We each individually assign meaning to our own experiences and then need to deal with the (maybe apparent) difference in meaning or interpretation among ourselves.

I believe the next big revolution in physics is going to come from incorporating perception and "the observer" as a fundamental part of the models. Consciousness, from my perspective, is the only way we have to "know" the world, which to me means that consciousness is even more basic/fundamental than matter, time or space. And so far, the whole field of physics has been pretty much ignoring it ️

[CrasVestibulum]

well said! The argument between various schools of philosophy (which includes Materialists / Realists) is age old. We need to revisit / refresh each point of views so we deepen the understanding of 'our' nature. I would suggest a reading of Vedanta school of philosophy as a counter point to Materialism.

[Lambdanaut]

I am the rock. Though currently I am experiencing this body.