Although consciousness is considered one of the most intriguing topics of the 21st century,
little has been written about its experience. Prof. Passig presents another essay on Futures Studies, this time tackling the experience of human consciousness – Qualia – and the next phase in its evolution. Passig reviews consciousness and how we experienced it, from prehistoric times to modern days, as reflected in ancient philosophies and modern sciences.
He describes the new measuring tools that detect its existence and degree of awakening and analyzes the pattern of its emergence.
Qualia’s next phase will include new sensory experiences with surrounding objects, propelling humanity to a highly advanced stage of 21st-century civilization. Future consciousness will bring forth new sciences, breakthrough discoveries, new philosophies, a fresh theory of epistemology, and technologies the mind cannot yet conceive.
This optimistic essay claims that humankind is only taking its first evolutionary steps and that contemporary fear of Artificial Intelligence is shortsighted.