Mr. Murphy, first of all, thanks for taking a few moments to express your views on this question. Regrettably I will have to bow out from any prolonged "back-and-forth" on the subject of consciousness, especially when it is presented in terms of "impossibility" and "conclusive evidence." Unless one is omniscient, then I don't think at this stage that one can logically say that something is "conclusively impossible" as regards the nature of consciousness. Assuredly that does not make the opposite argument so, by any means. It is just that, IMHO, "highly unlikely" would have been a more appropriate comment, but, hey, that's just me.
I did not see at your website that you have any studies, degrees or professional experience that would provide you authoritative expertise that could back up your categorical phraseology. And I, myself, have no expertise that could possibly provide any fair corrective. So, when I consider such complex topics beyond my expertise, I try to find degreed professionals who do address the questions at hand, pro and con, and then I attempt to weigh their evidence.
The predominant view of consciousness in the west is related to "reductionist materialism," (i.e. brain = mind) which I grew up believing, and which, evidently, is the view you hold. So, I don't need to present that view. But that is not the only view of reality held by competent observers, and it is highly inapproprate to plaster "wilful ignorance combined with blind faith" on such people. For example, the following six, 25 minute interviews between Stuart Hameroff, MD/PhD, and Jeff Mishlove, PhD, provide a thoughtful alternative for the view you hold. Even with their combined expertise, Hameroff and Mishlove refrain from categorical statements, and make rather restrained, qualified comments. Hameroff is not as confident about the nature of consciousness as you, even though as a professional anesthesiologist he actually does have decades of clinical and laboratory expertise on the question. So, if you are inclined, enjoy the interviews.
Possibilities with microtubules
The mystery of anesthesia
Quantum consciousness
The orchestra of the brain
Consciousness in the universe
Spiritual implications
