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September 20th, 2012, 6:13 pm
(quote not shown) I believe many "things" think. First, we need to know what it is "to think." Thinking is the phenomena of having thoughts. A thing that thinks is a thing that "feels" thoughts. I say feel because there is a difference between observing thoughts and pro...
September 4th, 2012, 11:49 am
Your proposition is that expediting the average consciousness levels of human beings is the "right" thing to do to. I, being a moral subjectivist, think that there is no objective "right" or "wrong," and really when people use these words they are simply talking about h...
August 31st, 2012, 11:05 pm
Spectrum wrote:Once we can set NeuroEthisc on firm grounds, then we can begin (on a ethically foolproof path) to expedite the average consciousness levels of humanity.
Who says, "expediting the [increase in] average [consciousness->intelligence] levels of humanity," is the right thing to do? What if I'm in for myself?
August 31st, 2012, 2:08 pm
Studying how the brain actually works on a physical level would be so intensely awesome. I would love to see some neuroscience articles being discussed around these forums. Maybe we could start that, Spectrum. (quote not shown) I think it's possible and it likely will happen, however not in our time...
August 31st, 2012, 1:54 am
(quote not shown) I'm not embracing this or rejecting it, but this list appears contrary to what I was saying. I redefined "consciously deliberated thoughts" as uncaused (random) thoughts so #1 on your list equals #3 (from my perspective). (quote not shown) In common-speak, random is the s...
August 30th, 2012, 11:55 am
Awesome, I like the way you think; let's discuss. I have heard of the problem of infinite regression before, but it doesn't seem to be a problem to me. Almost everyone agrees with scientific determinism (cause and effect... If I put my hand over fire then it will hurt). Almost everyone thinks the en...
August 30th, 2012, 1:16 am
Have you ever heard of the B.I.V. (Brain in vat) scenario? The BIV scenario is a classic philosophical case which posits doubt on our senses. Suppose you are just a brain (no body) and you are hooked up to a machine inside a scientists' lab. Everything you see, feel, smell, touch, and hear is produc...
August 30th, 2012, 12:55 am
Hi Spectrum. (quote not shown) I am willing to continue in this conversation, I love discussing my perspective and hearing others' perspectives. However, I just don't want this to be an argument, I think we both realize that these statements we make (about how thoughts work) are more or less opinion...
August 29th, 2012, 6:05 pm
Hello Elubas. (quote not shown) I definitely agree that this is no small problem. There seems to be no valid system of knowledge. Knowledge to me has become an illusion--an idea we as humans strive to obtain but never really have. Knowledge in the sense I know it, absolute certainty of the value of ...
August 29th, 2012, 4:26 pm
(quote not shown) We are using labels all the time (words). Labels are the essence of ideas. However I think I understand you as not wanting to use labels of worldviews (materialist, idealist, theist, monotheist, dualist, pessimist...). Ok. I would need to read more about what Kant and Nietzsche sai...
August 29th, 2012, 1:12 am
(quote not shown) Not at all. (quote not shown) I assume you are a materialist if, to you, brain equals mind. You agree that humans become aware of thoughts in consciousness, only you posit that thoughts are deliberated by the self and I posit that thoughts are observed by the self (the self is pass...
August 28th, 2012, 11:21 am
As Phil said, nice post but it's not a proof. The situation you are positing is this: 1. The physical world exists 2. Everything that exists had to come from something (be created) 3. The physical world was created Many of us disagree with 2. Why does everything that exists have to be created? Matte...
August 28th, 2012, 11:13 am
(quote not shown) I understand what you are saying now now, you're an idealist. The immaterial or spiritual world (also called the world of ideas) is necessarily for the material world. You're saying that because "existence" is a immaterial/spiritual essence (mental) and the physical world...
August 28th, 2012, 10:55 am
Spectrum wrote:Some thoughts can be spontaneous and and some thoughts can be deliberated.
Is there reasoning backing this statement, Spectrum? What have you observed that has lead you to believe that there are two distinct (spontaneous and deliberate) forms of thought?
August 28th, 2012, 12:12 am
What are you referring to by "mind?" If "the mind" is the equivalent of "consciousness" then the mind is, simply put, awareness. The mind consists of only that which one is aware of. If one is not aware of something, that thing is not within the mind. How can one have m...