30 Nov 09
I just re-read a 2002 interview with experimental psychologist and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker by Reason magazine, in which he discusses his book "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature" (recently published at the time):
http://reason.com/archives/2002/10/01/biology-vs-the-blank-slate/
I have also read the book and found it to be fascinating, well thought out and brilliantly written. I posted this in the Spirituality forum because of the refutation of the "noble savage" and "ghost in the machine" myths, both of which play a big part of religion. Any comments?
A bit more information about the book can be found here:
http://pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/books/tbs/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blank_Slate
30 Nov 09
Originally posted by PBE6Interesting, but it leaves out the spiritual component. Besides, the brain is far too complicated to be put in a box.
I just re-read a 2002 interview with experimental psychologist and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker by Reason magazine, in which he discusses his book "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature" (recently published at the time):
http://reason.com/archives/2002/10/01/biology-vs-the-blank-slate/
I have also read the book and found it to be ...[text shortened]... /pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/books/tbs/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blank_Slate
Are you one of those posters who hits and runs?
30 Nov 09
Originally posted by PBE6Okay, let's go there.
No, I try to respond to other posters. Did you have anything specific you wanted to comment on?
I'm not a neuropsychologist or anything like it. But I've read about this stuff for decades. It's all very interesting. Mapping out the brain. Finding out how it works. It's all well and good, but the implications are man made.
The scientist insists that we are merely animals without soul or spirit, and simply respond to our environment based on electro/chemical processes.
I don't buy it. In fact, I believe thought is generated by the spirit, and the body is a conduit through which we receive information from our environment. The brain plays a role in our thinking, but it's not what generates thought.
30 Nov 09
Originally posted by josephwNice theory, but what's your evidence?
Okay, let's go there.
I'm not a neuropsychologist or anything like it. But I've read about this stuff for decades. It's all very interesting. Mapping out the brain. Finding out how it works. It's all well and good, but the implications are man made.
The scientist insists that we are merely animals without soul or spirit, and simply respond to our enviro ...[text shortened]... environment. The brain plays a role in our thinking, but it's not what generates thought.
What is this spirit/soul thing that you mention? Where is it to be found? How does it manifest? What's the connection between this thing and the brain?
Could a brain dead human still have thoughts? Could you remove a brain and still have thoughts?
Actually, come to think of it, do you have a brain? Are you a human? Oh my god, is the world actually real,or is this some simulation?!
30 Nov 09
Originally posted by amannionYou've been watching too many sci fi movies. As a matter of fact you're whole reasoning process is dictated by fantasy fiction thinking brought about by years of doubting truth and believing a lie.
Nice theory, but what's your evidence?
What is this spirit/soul thing that you mention? Where is it to be found? How does it manifest? What's the connection between this thing and the brain?
Could a brain dead human still have thoughts? Could you remove a brain and still have thoughts?
Actually, come to think of it, do you have a brain? Are you a human? Oh my god, is the world actually real,or is this some simulation?!
Or worse, not knowing the one from the other.
So take that and stuff it in your science pipe and smoke it. 😲😀
01 Dec 09
Originally posted by josephwOh if only I could my boy, if only I could.
You've been watching too many sci fi movies. As a matter of fact you're whole reasoning process is dictated by fantasy fiction thinking brought about by years of doubting truth and believing a lie.
Or worse, not knowing the one from the other.
So take that and stuff it in your science pipe and smoke it. 😲😀
Some crazy Christian stole my science pipe.
Okay, for real now, without using the words god, jesus, creation, soul, spirit, salvation or scripture, tell me the truth ...
01 Dec 09
Originally posted by amannionThis is the truth: You're kicking against the goads. Inside you know there is more to what you are than just some electro/chemical reactions to stimuli. You want to believe this but you've seen too many so-called-Christians make a mockery of reason.
Oh if only I could my boy, if only I could.
Some crazy Christian stole my science pipe.
Okay, for real now, without using the words god, jesus, creation, soul, spirit, salvation or scripture, tell me the truth ...
Did I come close?
01 Dec 09
1 edit
Originally posted by josephwI saw an amazing program on tv a month ago about conciousness. As part of the program the presenter volunteered to take part in a simple experiment. He was placed lying down in an MRI chamber (i think), that measured his brain activity. In each hand he held a trigger, and all he had to do was lie in the chamber for 5 minutes or so and press either the trigger in his left hand or right hand whenever he wanted.
This is the truth: You're kicking against the goads. Inside you know there is more to what you are than just some electro/chemical reactions to stimuli. You want to believe this but you've seen too many so-called-Christians make a mockery of reason.
Did I come close?
The scientist conducting the experiment explained afterwards that by looking at the brains activity during the experiment he could predict up to 6 secs before a trigger was pressed which trigger it was going to be.
01 Dec 09
Originally posted by Proper KnobFascinating!
I saw an amazing program on tv a month ago about conciousness. As part of the program the presenter volunteered to take part in a simple experiment. He was placed lying down in an MRI chamber (i think), that measured his brain activity. In each hand he held a trigger, and all he had to do was lie in the chamber for a 5 minutes or so and press either the ...[text shortened]... ent he could predict up to 6 secs before a trigger was pressed which trigger it was going to be.
The next thing you know science will end all wars and feed all the starving children.
01 Dec 09
Originally posted by josephwNo, not at all.
This is the truth: You're kicking against the goads. Inside you know there is more to what you are than just some electro/chemical reactions to stimuli. You want to believe this but you've seen too many so-called-Christians make a mockery of reason.
Did I come close?
I don't have any sort of overwhelming desire to give credit to the wonder of this world on some supernatural entity, or to invent some sort of life force or spirit/soul. I really don't.
And it has nothing ot do with you wacky Christians. I never had a bad experience in growing up - no lecherous priests or annoyingly fundamentalist preachers.
I really don't want to believe.
I rest my atheism on science, but to be quite honest, the emotion behind my position - my faith if you like - rests on a profound abhorence of the notion of a world in which I'm not in control of myself. I find the idea of the supernatural vile in the extreme.
01 Dec 09
Originally posted by amannionI really don't want to believe.
No, not at all.
I don't have any sort of overwhelming desire to give credit to the wonder of this world on some supernatural entity, or to invent some sort of life force or spirit/soul. I really don't.
And it has nothing ot do with you wacky Christians. I never had a bad experience in growing up - no lecherous priests or annoyingly fundamentalist preacher ...[text shortened]... which I'm not in control of myself. I find the idea of the supernatural vile in the extreme.
I wonder what neural circuit produced that.