Part 5/11:
One of the most intriguing aspects of the conversation revolves around the origins and nature of consciousness. Hameroff suggests that consciousness is not merely confined to human experience but is a fundamental aspect of the universe itself, existing in varying forms across different life forms, including plants and potentially even simpler organisms.
He expresses that consciousness could have preceded life itself, proposing that both life and consciousness have co-evolved in a process that seeks to optimize pleasure and avoid displeasure.