The Science Behind the Existence of "Spirit"

A) Physical existence,
B) Mathematical existence,
- and -
C) An existence assigned by our mental perception.

See: The Road_to_Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe
- Section 1.4, pp. 17-21, by Roger Penrose.

In Fig.1.3 (right - from the top of p.18 of Road_to_Reality), Penrose illustrates how he believes these three "worlds" interconnect. This illustration can also be found here: Online Study Notes,

As Penrose explains, there are three "mysterious" causal paths connecting these three worlds:

1. The entire physical world is governed according to some mathematical laws (bottom of p.18).
2. All of mentality has its roots within physicality (bottom of p.19).
3. The Platonic/mathematical world fits within the compass of mentality (top of p.20).

Of these three, Penrose identifies causal path 2 as being particularly difficult (bottom of p.21):

"I shall not be especially concerned here with the second of the mysteries depicted in Figs. 1.3 and 1.4, namely the issue of how it is that mentality--most particularly conscious awareness--can come about in association with appropriate physical structures (although I shall touch upon this deep question in [section]34.7). There will be enough to keep us busy in exploring the physical universe and its associated mathematical laws. In addition, the issues concerning mentality are profoundly contentious, and it would distract from the purpose of this book if we were to get embroiled in them. Perhaps one comment will not be amiss here, however. This is that, in my own opinion, there is little chance that any deep understanding of the nature of the mind can come about without our first learning much more about the very basis of physical reality. As will become clear from the discussions that will be presented in later chapters, I believe that major revolutions are required in our physical understanding. Until these revolutions have come to pass, it is, in my view, greatly optimistic to expect that much real progress can be made in understanding the actual nature of mental processes." [emphasis mine]

Penrose is not alone here. Most scientists call this one, "The Hard Problem."

Then, from the last paragraph of this section (bottom of p.22):

"There is finally, a further mystery concerning Fig. 1.3, which I have left to the last. I have deliberately drawn the figure so as to illustrate a paradox. How can it be that, in accordance with my own prejudices, each world appears to encompass the next one in its entirety? I do not regard this issue as a reason for abandoning my prejudices, but merely for demonstrating the presence of an even deeper mystery that transcends those which I have been pointing to above." [emphasis mine]

(Continuing on to p. 23)

"There may be a sense in which the three worlds are not separate at all, but merely reflect, individually, aspects of a deeper truth about the world as a whole of which we have little conception at the present time. We have a long way to go before such matters can be properly illuminated." [emphasis mine]

So: Dr. Penrose has left us with two separate problems:

1) A circular causality paradox:
Causal Path 1: A subset of Mathematical Processes Causes all Physical Processes
Causal Path 2: A subset of Physical Processes Causes all Mental Processes
Causal Path 3: A subset of Mental Processes Causes all Mathematical Processes

- and -

2) A Difficult and Unexplained Causal Path 2: How does Matter cause Qualia?

Eliminate Causal Path 2: Physical Processes do not Cause any Mental Processes

(This shouldn't be too great a leap of faith; it's exactly what computers don't do; it's more like saying, "I can't force you to disbelieve truth.")

Penrose's Causal Path 3: Mental Processes Cause all Mathematical Processes
Penrose's Causal Path 1: Mathematical Processes Cause all Physical Processes

Mental Processes indirectly cause all Physical Processes

This indirect Mental-to-Physical link is presently identified as being a part of "Quantum Mechanics." Before modern physics, this same link was identified as being a part of what was called "Spirit." Although this overlap does not prove mutual identity, it does at least suggest it. (Both Penrose and Hameroff appear to believe that awareness and autonomy are quantum mechanical properties.)

We are all pretty certain that existence happens. Given the observable scientific truth that we can observe physical processes in an external world -- one which is separate from ourselves, and from other selves that are very much like us -- we have good evidence that some kind of "physical" world must exist. Furthermore, working backward through our two remaining valid causal paths:

Penrose's Causal Path 3: Mental Processes Cause all Mathematical Processes
Penrose's Causal Path 1: Mathematical Processes Cause all Physical Processes