In particular, there is the question as to whether the mind is a 'blank slate', as suggested by John Locke and Stephen Pinker. — Jack Cummins
I don't believe that 'mind' can be reduced to psychology, because it is at the core of human existence. So, in the light of cognitive science and neuroscience, how, and what do you see as the overriding and outstanding issues of the philosophy of mind in the twentieth first century? Is there any essential debate beyond the scope of psychology? — Jack Cummins
I am hoping that I am not raising a stale and overtired area of thinking, especially in relation to the mind-body relationship, as well as between idealism and physicalism — Jack Cummins
I agree but for a contrary reason: I think body is "at the core of human existence" and that "mind" is a description, in part, for what our bodies – brains – mostly involuntarily do (i.e. our 'subjective' way of talking about ourselves and others). Just as 'existence precedes essence' in existentialism, body enables-constrains mind is the basis of embodied philosophy (but given your more 'esoteric' preferences, you"ve ignored for years the links and lists I've offered, Jack, so I won't bother referring to them again) that deflates or eliminates reliance on 'folk psychology' (i.e. dis-embodied subject (soul) ... and the prevailing apologia e.g. psychoanalysis, psychotherapy ... Husserlian phenomenology, Kantian/Hegelian idealism, Cartesian dualism, Platonism). I suppose my stubborn anti-supernaturalist bias is why I can't grok subjectivist (or spiritualist) conceptions of "mind". :sparkle: :eyes:I don't believe that 'mind' can be reduced to psychology, because it is at the core of human existence. — Jack Cummins
So, in the light of cognitive science and neuroscience, how, and what do you see as the overriding and outstanding issues of the philosophy of mind in the twentieth first century? — Jack Cummins
"Appear" to whom? Like aether, phlogiston, qi ... elan vital has been debunked as a "force" or "energy", so are you speaking metaphorically? The philosophical significance of "essential lifeforce" is lost on an Epicurean/Spinozist like me.However, there does appear to be an essential lifeforce, like the spark of consciousness or animation. — Jack Cummins
I am certain that if our senses pointed inwards our so-called inner lives would be less of a mystery. In there is a multiplicity of parts and movements we just aren’t privy to in the present arraignment. — NOS4A2
At the time of reading his writing I did think his perspective would be a foundation for belief in reincarnation, even though I am unsure if Sheldrake would go that far. — Jack Cummins
I'm afraid that most respondents to "Mind" questions will divide themselves along the lines you mentioned. My personal worldview --- and mindview --- is somewhere in the middle of that Idealism---Realism range, but some critics tend to put me into whichever category best suits their high-minded position and superior/dismissive attitude.I am hoping that I am not raising a stale and overtired area of thinking, especially in relation to the mind-body relationship, as well as between idealism and physicalism. — Jack Cummins
Same as every other member of TPF, Jack, I expect from you what I expect from myself: good reasoning and valid arguments rather than unwarranted opinions or superstitions which are more suited for social media gossip than rational discussions. So you're just a "psychonaut" :sparkle: and not a (non-academic) philosopher?What do you expect from me as I am a psychonaut, so I see myself and others as being spirit. — Jack Cummins
Clarify, if you can, why you believe "Idealism and Realism" are disparate conceptual positions on a continuum which are different by degrees rather than different in kind.... somewhere in the middle of that Idealism---Realism range ... — Gnomon
Well, I'm not sure how much flack I'm gonna get for this, but you went and reminded me of something. And it's not inappropriate for the site, even if it doesn't necessarily belong in this thread.There is no story to it but the ones we superimpose upon that natural bond with our Minds’ Language.
.........
Why have we, in all our millennia of mythologies and philosophies not settled upon that we are not in God’s image — ENOAH
Stood in firelight, sweltering. Blood stain on chest like map of violent new continent. Felt cleansed. Felt dark planet turn under my feet and knew what cats know that makes them scream like babies in night. Looked at sky through smoke heavy with human fat and God was not there. The cold, suffocating dark goes on forever, and we are alone. Live our lives, lacking anything better to do. Devise reason later. Born from oblivion, bear children, hellbound as ourselves, go into oblivion. There is nothing else. Existence is random. Has no pattern save what we imagine after staring at it for too long. No meaning save what we choose to impose. This rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It's us. Only us. Streets stank of fire. The void breathed hard on my heart, turning its illusions to ice, shattering them. Was reborn then, free to scrawl own design on this morally blank world. Was Rorschach. — Alan Moore
Is there some problem we need to solve with this information that is fruitful somehow beyond the questioning? — Metaphyzik
I don't know whether or not there's anything fruitful behind the questioning. But there doesn't have to be. The questioning is enough, even if there is never an answer. It's what humans do.What is the goal of trying to discover a way to think about the mind - or that thing that brains do…. (At least that does seem true)…. Is there some problem we need to solve with this information that is fruitful somehow beyond the questioning? — Metaphyzik
The meaning and purpose of a problem seem to lie not in its solution but in our working at it incessantly. — Jung
Data: I am curious as to what transpired between the moment when I was nothing more than an assemblage of parts in Dr. Sung's laboratory and the next moment, when I became alive. What is it that endowed me with life?
Crusher: I remember Wesley asking me a similar question when he was little. And I tried desperately to give him an answer. But everything I said sounded inadequate. Then I realized that scientists and philosophers have been grappling with that question for centuries without coming to any conclusion.
Data: Are you saying the question cannot be answered?
Crusher: No. I think I'm saying that we struggle all our lives to answer it. That it's the struggle that is important. That's what helps us to define our place in the universe. — Star Trek: The Next Generation
I've been out here now for some days, groping my way along, trying to realize my vision here. I started concentrating so hard on my vision that I lost sight. I've come to find out that it's not the vision. It's not the vision at all. It's the groping. It's the groping, it's the yearning, it's the moving forward. I was so fixated on that flying cow that, when Ed told me Monty Python already painted that picture, thought I was through. I had to let go of that cow so that I could see all the other possibilities....... I think Kierkegard said it oh so well: “The self is only that which it’s in the process of becoming.” Art? Same thing. James Joyce had something to say about it too. *draws sword* “Welcome oh life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience, and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscious of my race.” We’re here today to fling something that bubbled up from the collective unconsciousness of our community.........
The thing I learned folks, this is absolutely key: It’s not the thing you fling, it’s the fling itself. — Chris on Northern Exposure
There is a subject, philosophy of mind. I believe you referred to David Chalmer's homepage the other day, that's his main subject matter. — Wayfarer
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