On naturalism and consciousness

[Mudhammam]

But is Reason, not the cognitive exercise, but the very principles that cohere any Universe at all, physical phenomena? I don't think so... in fact it seems Reason is in some way a prerequisite for any empirical, intelligible experience.

It's difficult to conceive of reason as a prerequisite, as reason itself is descriptive. Different universe, perhaps we'd have different logical operations. Could that universe contain empirical or intelligible experience? Maybe, but it would be different from our own, sure.

That's an interesting thought but I think it boils down to this: is a physical Universe even logically possible without some conception of space and/or time? (You'll have to correct me if a quantum vacuum state contradicts this but as it currently stands, a non-spacial, non-temporal existence is totally inconceivable to me... except for mental phenomena). And if not, doesn't that already assume the existence of basic rational principles, such as contingency, non-contradiction, mathematics, etc.?

I don't know if consciousness has a deeper tie to the history of the Universe, but that it's fundamental to our conception of reality, and has a functional unity that evolved to possess the key to unlocking the secrets of Nature, is suggestive of something currently not well accounted for by any philosophical position.