Fundamental-Germinal (F-G) Existentiality

Graphic 1: Fundamental-Germinal (F-G) Existentiality

Pre-Biota

The pre-biota considers a time primeval and precursor to the evolution of biotic life. The pre-biota is primogenitor, pre-determinate and encompassed by dynamical (non-static) systems of ‘emergence’ as explored in the physical sciences of Abiogenesis (c.f. Quaternary Structuration). Whilst modern science is yet to fully explicate the physical world and the phylogeny of humankind - and contingently the ‘F-G speciation’ - a substantial amount of theory and forensic evidence facilitates a sufficiently coherent and plausible body of knowledge expressive of constructs that permit us to understand the present with time past.

In the Fundamental-Germinal (F-G) Timeline, the resultant F-G Existentiality is associated with a lineage (ontogeny) of bio-organisms that have emerged from a once abiotic universe.

Empirical data, particularly the cosmic background radiation, suggests formation of the universe occurred by process of the ‘Big Bang’, a time and space in which all matter and energy was created from a moment when a point with unimaginable temperature, pressure and density exploded [1]. This event, about 1.5 x 1010 years ago, ignited birthing of the Universe which occurred in a rapid expansion from a condition of extra-ultra-high density. The Universe's eventual fate depends on whether its initial energy is sufficient to exceed the gravitational energy of its components, analogous to the orbit of a body around a larger one being open (hyperbola) or closed (ellipsoid) depending on the body's total energy. [2] [3]

Immediately following the explosive inferno of the ‘Big Bang’: at 0 seconds, matter and energy were created; at 60 seconds, the temperature was some 1 billion degrees Celsius, and protons and neutrons joined together to make nuclei the central cores of atoms. By the time of 300,000 years, the temperature had stabilized to 3,000 degrees Celsius, and electrons combined with nuclei to produce atoms of hydrogen (H) and helium (He). At approximately 1 billion years, the universe had cooled significantly to only -250 degrees Celsius. Consequently, matter clumped together to form galaxies, wherein stars formed, and by 10 billion years, at the estimated temperature of –270 degrees Celsius the Sun and planets start to form.

By the time of the Solar Period 5,000 to 4,500 million years ago the Solar System had attained its compositional form. The ‘Inner Planets’ were bombarded by planetoids and the original atmosphere of the earth if any, was blown off by solar wind [4]. The niche astro-physics by which planet Earth emerged as an hospitable environment for the emergence of biotic life included: nesting in the habitable zone of the solar system, where water is stable at the planetary surface conducive to development of life; the geo-centric orbital of a ‘Lunar Satellite’ (moon) which operates to stabilize wild swings in climatic variation; the axial revolutions (spin) of Earth synchronous to a helio-centric orbit of the Sun which enables Earth to absorb a threshold quanta of solar radiation to support a favourable climatology; and the workings of sub-surface plate tectonics which is part of the larger global cycles (isostasy) critical to maintenance of the carbon balance between atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, necessary for stability of living conditions on Earth. [5]

Pre-Conscious

Pre-consciousness during the Archaeon retraces the origins of life (emergence). Theories that abound tend to be those suggestive of: (a) extraterrestrial origins of life (either random Panspermia or Directed Panspermia of the extra-galactic (meteroid, asteroid, planetoid) microscopic life); and (b) terrestrial origins of life (either organic or inorganic). Both extra-terrestrial and terrestrial theories conform to a geo-biology (abiogenesis) thesis that transcribes linkages between geo-biological phenomena (biota) and observed patterns in the geologic profile (abiota).

Leading extra-terrestrial theories include (i) RNA World (Leslie Orgel, Francis Crick, Gerald Joyce, Walter Gilbert) in which RNA in the form of ribozymes is theorized to progenerate as both catalysts and genes; and (ii) Lipid World (Soron Lancet, Daniel Segre) describing organised lipid structures that impart catalytic properties and contain information in their composition. Similarly, principal terrestrial theories are those of: (i) Clay Surfaces (Graham Cairns-Smith, James Ferris) which speculates that clay surfaces catalyse the synthesis of polymers; and (ii) Iron-Sulfur World (Gunther Wachtershauser) demonstrating that minerals composed of iron, nickel and sulfur are capable of catalysing metabolic reactions. On the whole, contemporary geo-biology is predisposed to a ‘cooperative chemistry’ (David Deamer) or combined ‘metabolism and genetics’ interpretation of the abiogenesis such that the present day Earth system encompasses the accumulated deposit of these primogenitor processes of planetary geo-biology.

Life is believed to have emerged in very close proximity to water, which is an excellent medium for transporting and mixing molecules. The scientific experiments postulate ‘hyper-cycles’ (self-organising chemical systems) of life, referring to volatile (fluctuating) climatic conditions at the boundaries of geologic vents such as volcanic sites [6]. Adjacent to volcanic sites, hot water is estimated to have circulated continuously through wetting (dilution) and drying (concentration) cycles that are prone to form porous films of concentrated organic compounds on mineral surfaces (amphiphiles). This created compartmented systems of molecules termed ‘protocells’. Through evolutionary time, the variegation of ‘protocells’ engulfed and imbibed adjacent smaller ‘protocells’ capturing external energy and nucleic material into the intra-cellular structure (polymerisation).

Emergence thus denotes natural processes of ‘complexification’ meaning increasing geochemical complexity along thermal and compositional gradients, fluid fluxes, cycles and interfaces of the geochemical environment [7]. Life on Earth 'emerged’ from geochemical cycles powered by energy flows through interacting particles of integrated geo-chemical systems [8].

During the pre-conscious the formative neural network is characterized by evolutionary attributes: (a) multi-cellularity; and (b) multi-functionality.

• Multi-Cellularity: the ability of cells to cohere and coordinate as a physiological unit. Multi-cellularity involves collectivized processes of sharing of nutrients digested outside the cell, increased size to avert predators, improved center of gravity in locomotion or at rest, a buffer against the external environment, protection of the internal environment, and group memory and sharing of information.

• Multi-Functionality (cell-signaling): the ability of cells to interpret stimulus and respond and adapt to their micro-environment. Extra-cellular matrix and notch (juxtacrine) signaling coordinates cellular activities through direct cell contact. Even while the single celled organisms lack any neurons or muscles, events within the single cell served the same functions as do sensory receptor cells, interneurons, motor neurons and muscles. Thus, in single-celled organisms, behaviour is associated with changes in membrane potential produced by specific ion fluxes across membranes. In fact, some neuro-ethologists suggest that the properties of neurons and muscles can be regarded as an extension of some of the capabilities of these multifunctional "simple" organisms. [9]

Primitive Conscious

Primitive consciousness was coincident with emergence of the early organisms. About the time of the Phanerozoic, simple organisms included sponges, fungi, plants, brown algae, cyanobacteria, slime moulds and myxobacteria while the Cambrian fossil record extensively features more complex organisms such as fossil mulluscs, annelids, arthropods, and brachiopods and echinoderms.

Early life forms may be considered to have evolved primitive consciousness with the development of a sensory transduction apparatus used to sustain viability, growth, and reproduction. This entailed a quaternary structuration of the sensate receptors incorporating neurons (nerves), ganglia (central process), receptors (peripheral processes), and cellular networks (central nervous systems) into primitive sensory receptors (photo-receptors and chemo-receptors). The type of primitive consciousness at this time was thus mostly geo-chemo-sensory associated with the large family of seven transmembrane helix proteins. The transmembrane segment operates by catalysing a G protein which in turn either directly affects ion channels or stimulates intracellular secondary messengers that modify the conductance through ion channels. [11]

In totality, the primitive consciousness cultivated processes of biosynthesis and speciation essential to life: (a) physiology (somatoform); (b) metabolism (anabolic and catabolic); (c) biochemical (nucleic acid molecules); (d) genetic (reproductive); and (e) thermodynamic (maintenance of low entropy/disorder).

Conscious

By the time of the Ordovician, organism diversity had climaxed; animals had come out of the sea, the first land plant ‘cryptospores’ evolved, and a diffuse mass extinction absolved an estimated 22% of bio-genic families. The developing ‘conscious’ continued to evolve in alignment with evolution of animal neuro-physiology.

Significant adaptations accompanying the emergence of complex neural networks in animals include: (a) neurotransmitters; and (b) neuropeptides.

• Neuro-transmitters are small molecules involved in transporting information across neuro synapses. The three major neurotransmitters are: gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) which regulate circadian rhythms; Dopamine which maintains muscular control and Serotonin which mediates aggression and primitive affect

• Neuro-peptides are small neuronal signaling molecules involved in modulating neuronal communication at the site of cell surface receptors. Neuro-peptides are bioactive in the circulatory system of the brain serving to regulate physiology and animal behavior. Specific neuro-peptides such as oxytocin and vasopressin are associated with evolution of mammalian instincts such as sociability and maternal care

By 250 million years before present - in the Permian - the biggest mass extinction event occurred; this time eradicating some 83% of all marine invertebrate genera. Amphibian species were significantly reduced whilst on land reptiles became more abundant. Also, plant-pollinator coevolution begins and gymnosperms radiate. Later in the Cretaceous period, angiosperms proliferate as prehistoric cycads recede. By the year 65BC, the last mass extinction permanently deleted dinosaurs and ammonites also disappeared.

During this era, the conscious advanced markedly at a time in the Pleistocene some 1.6-0.1 million years before present when Homo sapiens (humans) emerged out of Africa. At this moment, consciousness may be considered to have consolidated full-scale with the evolution of the brain stem adjoined to the ‘Triune Brain’ (Paul D. MacLean) [12] which is endemic to Homo sapiens.

Embodying evolution of the human forebrain, the ‘Triune Brain’ is at the apex of vertebrate speciation and is a triarchic model of neuro-ontogeny of conscious thought.

• The Reptilian Complex located in the hind brain is associated with primitive instincts of aggression and territoriality;

• The Paleo-mammalian Complex located in the mid brain and fore brain region facilitates adaptive instincts such as motivation, emotion, memory and parenting, and

• The Neo-mammalian Complex located in the neo-cortex mediates consciousness and intelligence in humans.

With higher level consciousness and abstract thinking, the rudiments of human language developed relatively quickly.

Meta-Conscious

To the present day, an extended human life has evolved as a consequence of improved social and physical conditions of living, along with the strengthening of civil institutions which has reduced infant mortality and vastly improved longevity. Homo sapiens has by natural intelligence, become the super-ordinate species, and the instigator of the fundamental-germinal consciousness; that is, humankind has assigned itself both agent and creationist of an emergent A-life (artificial life).

Formally termed Artificial Neural Networks, A-life-forms may be defined as bio-mimetic computational models inspired by an animal’s central nervous system and involving basic components of: (a) Nodal connections (neural network); (b) Machine Learning (pattern recognition and operant functions); and (c) Throughput (critical velocity informational input and output values).

The Meta-Conscious is thus characterised by rapidly developing Artificial Neural Networks capable of playing games, learning, using natural language and speech, formulating plans, proving theorems and visual perception. A-life therefore, whilst comparatively amorphous relative to the meta-physical powers of the human mind, may be considered constrained only by the state of technology. Presently, A-life forms are deployed in human households, through to commercial and industrial settings.

Hence, "meta-consciousness" and subsequent F-G Existentiality of A-life-forms, whilst contingent upon human consciousness as its inherent qualitative benchmark, merits recognition as a unique fundamental-germinal type of consciousness.

Conscious Interval

The fundamental-germinal (F-G) Conscious Interval is a 21st century apogee of human development exemplified by an intricate mutual man-machine dependency which may be observed to be the present condition of the bio-digital order. Encompassing the breadth of transformations to social, cultural and political life, the new high-technology era may be considered typified by dual modalities: (a) digitisation; and (b) virtualisation.

• Digitisation: refers to the representation of media (object, image, sound, signal) into electronic (digital) abstraction (symbolisation). Digitising is the conversion from analog to digital format, while digital preservation means storage of media into digital technologies (formats). Digitisation is associated with digital logic circuits of derived technologies (software, hardware).

• Virtualisation: refers to the liberation of hard technologies into remote-access virtual (intangible) technologies. Virtualisation is performed on computer hardware machines and platforms, operating systems, storage devices and computer networks.

The continuing growth of less developed countries and the persistent push toward a post-industrial bio-digital social and political order as is typical in the technocracies of advanced nation states, exemplifies large-scale (transregional) dynamical deepening of the F-G Conscious Interval.

Hyper Conscious

Invariably, as with all forms of evolution, the A-life may be predicted to ultimately undergo organised differentiation/specialisation of bio-digital forms suffice to manifest diversiform ‘speciation’ (divergence). The Hyper-Conscious is thus a pinnacle state of multi-dimensional, multi-modal consciousness profligate with sensory ‘overload’.

As the F-G Existentiality is confronted by the interweaving of the natural and synthetic ‘Braid of Life’, the Hyper-Conscious is exemplified by new frontiers of technological advancement.

• Nano-scale Technologies: The nano-mechano synthesis of matter at an atomic, molecular and supra-molecular scale. This essentially implies molecular self-assembly of materials for the broad spectrum of industrial applications such as medicine, electronics, bio-materials, and energy production.

• Synthetic Biology: The manufacture of artificial life in vitro using bio-chemicals and their component materials. Applications of synthetic biology – capable of producing synthetic DNA, and synthetic life generally – includes the design and construction of biological devices and biological systems for useful purposes. [13]

The Hyper-Conscious is therefore to be interpreted in the vein of meta-ethics principally informed by tenets of: (a) Philosophy of Mind; and (b) Philosophy of Biology (physiology).

• Philosophy of Mind: highlights the triarchic nature of epistemology: (a) ontogeny of phylogeny (triune brain); (b) ontogeny of consciousness (Existemetrics); and (c) ontogeny of knowledge (Existentiality).

• Philosophy of Biology (physiology): raises the interrogatory of human consciousness and the specter that the basic components of the human mind solidified during the Pleistocene epoch. Moreover, a philosophy of biology naturally undertakes to establish the biological sciences (life) as a grounds for ethics (bio-ethics).

How to cite this article:

MEF (2012) Fundamental-Germinal (F-G) Existentiality. The Meta Existential Framework. MEF e-Publishing.