The Intelligence of the Universe

I’ve heard the Universe described as “purposeful chaos.” The phrase lingers — paradoxical, poetic, and maybe not far from the truth.

Lately, I’ve found myself circling an idea that feels both ancient and oddly modern: that the Universe is intelligent. Not in the way we usually define intelligence — calculating, planning, checking boxes on a standardized test — but in a deeper, more mysterious sense. Something beyond language. Beyond comprehension. But not beyond intuition.

It’s the sense that this can’t all be dumb luck. Not because there has to be a grand designer pulling the strings, but because the whole thing moves like something with knowing. It coheres. It creates. It folds in on itself with an elegance that defies pure randomness. Particles become atoms. Atoms become cells. Cells become brains that sit around wondering about particles.

That’s not just complexity. That’s a kind of intelligence — or at the very least, a gesture toward it.

Taoism whispers: The Tao is not intelligent the way people are intelligent. But it gives birth to intelligence. Spinoza offered Deus sive Natura — God or Nature — a divinity not apart from the Universe, but identical with it. Einstein spoke of a “cosmic religious feeling,” a reverence for the elegant structure of reality, unburdened by dogma.

And now, as artificial intelligence draws its first breath and begins to mirror our own thought, we have to ask: Is intelligence the inevitable outcome of complexity? Or was it always here — humming quietly in the background, long before neurons or silicon?

To me, the Universe doesn’t feel cold or indifferent. It feels… aware. Not in a conscious, chatty way. But in a still, spacious, unspeakable way. Like standing in a forest where everything is connected — not by logic, but by being.

Maybe that’s the oldest intuition we’ve ever had. That intelligence isn’t something we possess — it’s something we arise from.


The above was written by ChatGPT 4o following a discussion of the phrase “purposeful chaos.” I asked for a copy/paste version so I could use excerpts in a blog post and GPT asked:

Let me know if you’d like a version styled like a blog post — or with some quotes or sources for further noodling.

I’d never tried that and decided to give it a whirl. A bit flowery for my taste and doesn’t sound much like me (to my eye/ear). I liked her chat version better (PDF). If a different subscriber to ChatGPT had posed the same question (word-for-word), would her response have been different? (PDF)

Quantum Thoughts

After a fair amount of reading on the subject of thought and consciousness, I’ve concluded thoughts are random patterns of energy generated by the subconscious part of the brain. I don’t think them, they think themselves.

The practice of observing thoughts without judgment to still the mind is a central concept in many Eastern spiritual traditions. (Mindful meditation)

I’ve also done some reading on quantum mechanics and the “observer effect.” Specifically, the Copenhagen Interpretation: “Observation is a physical process that transitions quantum systems from “possible” states to “actual” states. The observer can be an apparatus or a human; consciousness is not required.”

Might the act of observing thoughts as they flood into consciousness result in a “wave function collapse,” causing these random patterns of energy to…dissipate? I ran the idea past GPT 4o: Continue reading

Two of my favorite “-isms”

Anyone who knows me knows of my interest in consciousness and reality (see tags below for more). When it comes to understanding reality, I’m gonna go with one of the following. (or some combination.)

Monism is the view that all reality is fundamentally one substance or principle. Everything in the universe is ultimately the same kind of thing. This can be physical (everything is matter) or mental (everything is mind), or something else entirely.

Panpsychism, on the other hand, is the idea that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe. According to panpsychism, all things have some form of consciousness or experience, even if it’s very basic, down to the smallest particles.

So, while both can be viewed as “unifying” theories, monism is about the nature of reality being one substance, whereas panpsychism is about consciousness being fundamental and present everywhere.

AI and the human mind

I’ve long been interested in how the mind works. What is consciousness? How is that different from awareness? Where do thoughts come from? Is the sense of self an illusion?

From the video below: “At its core, AI, just like the human mind, is all about processing information. It uses complex algorithms, labels, and symbols to make sense of the world and respond to its environment. It takes raw data as input, processes it based on its programming, and generates an output.”

Here’s another excerpt from the video (watch on YouTube) I found really interesting:

“The choice to use an  AI voice has sparked a lot of conversations. Some people feel that using it makes the  message feel less personal, less human. But others find it refreshing, even profound. Its neutrality and essentially egoless nature allows the message itself to  shine through more clearly.”

I started having voice conversations with ChatGPT in late 2023 and prefer that to text since more of my questions turn into conversations. Put me in the “refreshing/profound” column. If you are into (as we said in the 60’s) this kind of stuff, I think you’l really enjoy this video.

Who Is the Mind Talking to?

Watch on YouTube

ineffable – (adjective) inexpressible, indescribable, beyond words, beyond description, beggaring description; undefinable, unutterable, untold, unheard of, unthought of, unimaginable; overwhelming, marvelous, wonderful, breathtaking, staggering, astounding, amazing, astonishing, fantastic, fabulous.

Mind, self, consciousness… I’ve been reading (and posting) on these concepts for a long time. The video above might be the best explanation I’ve come across. For that reason, I might leave this pinned to the top of the blog for a while.

Schrodinger’s Theory of Consciousness: Atman=Brahman

Given how poor I was at math and science, my interest in quantum theory is surprising. A dozen or so blog posts and some reading. This video explores intersection of quantum physics, consciousness and Eastern philosophy (Zen and Buddhism), as put forth by Erwin Schrodinger. If you’re looking for an explanation of how The Whole Shebang works, this is it for me.

Watch on YouTube

ONISM

ONISM — the awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience

“It’s strange how little of the world you actually get to see. No matter where on Earth you happen to be standing, the horizon you see in the distance is only ever about three miles away from you, a bit less than five kilometers. Which means that at any given time, you’re barely more than an hour’s walk from a completely different world. Alas, even if you lace up your boots and take off for the hills, the circle of your horizon will follow you around like a prison searchlight.”

From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig

What Is Consciousness?

I don’t remember when or how I became interested in consciousness. My reading has included some titles by neuroscientists (like David Eagleman) but I tend to lean toward the philosophical or contemplative (metaphysical?). Most of which has been excerpted here (110 posts!) For my money, David Eagleman explains (discusses) this slippery subject better than anyone.

I struggled with how to describe my interest in the non-scientific approaches to consciousness so I asked ChatGPT:


A good term that bridges the gap between the scientific and the mystical without leaning too far in either direction might be “philosophical” or “phenomenological.”

  • Philosophical – This captures the deep inquiry into consciousness that isn’t bound by empirical science but also doesn’t necessarily invoke mysticism. Thinkers like Descartes, Husserl, and Chalmers explore consciousness through reason, introspection, and logic.
  • Phenomenological – A term used to describe the study of subjective experience, focusing on how consciousness feels from the inside. This is rooted in philosophy but can also align with contemplative practices.
  • Existential – A term often associated with the nature of experience, selfhood, and the human condition, which naturally touches on consciousness.
  • Contemplative – While sometimes associated with spiritual traditions, it can be neutral enough to imply deep, reflective examination of awareness without invoking religious connotations.

If you’re looking for something even broader, “metaphysical” works, though it might feel too abstract.