Am I using the word 'chemical', 'consume', or 'alter ones state of consciousness' too loosely? — Yohan

Yes.

Happy new year!

3. All sensing is consuming
4. All sensations alter our consciousness (to greater or lesser extents) — Yohan

If you define consume, that's intentional action on our part. Perceiving is sensing with or without our intentionality.

Not all sensations alter our consciousness. Our heartbeat goes on 24/7, we sense it, but our consciousness remains the same.

If you define consume, that's intentional action on our part. Perceiving is sensing with or without our intentionality. — Caldwell

Fair point, but that would mean if I drink punch, not knowing it is spiked, that I didn't consume alcohol.

Not all sensations alter our consciousness. Our heartbeat goes on 24/7, we sense it, but our consciousness remains the same. — Caldwell

Or the heart beat is producing a consistent state of consciousness?

If we were all drunk all the time, we wouldn't notice it, because none of us would have a baseline sober state with which to compare it with.

I suspect we are all high on being human, with all the chemicals our bodies produce, such as dopamine, serotonin, testosterone or estrogen, and whatever chemicals make us hungry and so on.

Anyway, mostly I enjoy viewing life from different unexpected angles.

Have a nice year. :smile:

Fair point, but that would mean if I drink punch, not knowing it is spiked, that I didn't consume alcohol. — Yohan

Correct. You ingested alcohol, but consumed the punch.

Correct. You ingested alcohol, but consumed the punch. — Caldwell

But I missed the punch line.

Too much or too little alcohol? :chin:

Too much or too little alcohol? :chin: — Yohan

Whatever is the amount of spike.
Honestly, if we're being cross-examined here, would it be fair if you said outright you consumed alcohol, knowing you were deceived that it was a punch?
I bet you wouldn't say it as plain as that. You have a right to an elaboration and clarification.

I didn't know there was a difference between these words until now. To bet on the safe side I'd say ingest.

I don't see what is wrong with the picture I was painting though. Is life not somewhat akin to a big drug store in which we all get our fix from something or another?

I don't see what is wrong with the picture I was painting though. Is life not somewhat akin to a big drug store in which we all get our fix from something or another? — Yohan

False analogy. We don't always get a "fix" from the things we like to do. We do things to satisfy something else -- for duty, for love, to improve our skills, or just to pass time.

False analogy. We don't always get a "fix" from the things we like to do. We do things to satisfy something else -- for duty, for love, to improve our skills, or just to pass time. — Caldwell

You are right.