What causes unconscious atoms and molecules to come together and generate consciousness? How does consciousness emerge from nothingness?
Does my question contain an assumption that atoms and molecules lack consciousness? If we make this assumption, then we would fall into the trap of the theory of divine creation, wouldn't we? The emergence of consciousness from nothingness must be bestowed by something, which can be referred to as God. Some people say that you can explain it with the theory of evolution, but evolution is nothing more than a combination of arrangements. Atoms and molecules without consciousness gain consciousness through certain arrangements, which brings us back to my initial question. The theory of evolution is just a different way of presenting this question.
If we deny this assumption - that atoms and molecules lack consciousness - then we must acknowledge that consciousness/soul is inherent in all things in the world, but we just cannot see it. There is no process of emergence from nothingness. This is similar to the viewpoint of pantheism.
In summary, if atoms and other material substances lack consciousness, it inevitably leads to the theory of divine creation. On the contrary, it leads to pantheism.
Now we can draw a conclusion: regardless, God exists, either independently from all things in the world (the theory of divine creation) or as an embodiment (permeation) within all things in the world (pantheism), or perhaps both.
I would like to add that in my understanding, God is not equivalent to the concept of a deity. If God exists, it would only be a personified God. God does not necessarily have a human-like form or personality. The above speculation may prove the existence of God, but it is still far from proving the existence of a deity.
Update:
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Later, I learned about Aristotle's famous proposition "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." According to online sources, it is the most valuable legacy of ancient holistic concepts and the fundamental principle of modern systems theory. Aristotle more precisely expressed the relationship between the whole and its parts as "the whole is not equal to the sum of its parts." The whole is composed of its parts, but it does not necessarily equal the sum of its parts. The whole can be greater or smaller than the sum of its parts. Can this theory be used to explain my initial question? Can it cover the vast gap and leap between matter and consciousness?
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In fact, the entire speculative process above is severely detached from reality. The process of consciousness emerging from nothingness involves not only the arrangement of atoms and molecules but also the absorption and release of energy - that is, the exchange of energy with the surrounding environment. As for whether there are other things (including those that cannot be detected by current human technology) entering and exiting this system composed of atomic and molecular energy, it is unknown. (2023.04.22)