The Information Universe (Part 3)
Can information exist without a mind? Read the rest
Tag philosophy of mind
Conscious Reflections
It occurred to me that for those who may have gotten lost, stymied, confused, etc., by my series of posts about philosopher Alva Noe’s concepts about consciousness, it may be worthwhile to recount some of the conclusions I have reached…
A Noteworthy Project
The question, “What is consciousness” remains at the top of a list of the 12 or so most important scientific questions that remain to be answered. As a result, there are a lot of people working on trying to find…
Getting a Grip On Reality
[Note: I wrote this paper in 2017 as the final assignment in my “Intro to Philosophy of Mind” class. It is meant to be “introductory”, so it is very high-level.] Getting a Grip On Reality: Towards a Holistic Ontology… Read…
Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 1: A Shaky Foundation for Neuroscience
Professor Alva Noe lays out his challenge to those of us seeking an answer to the question, “What is consciousness?” According to Noe, the foundation used by neuroscience today to answer this question is “highly questionable”. [The following is based…
Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 2: Thanks for Nothing, Descartes!
Why do neuroscientists insist on sticking with a theory of consciousness that is based on an error? I think we can all thank Rene Descartes for leading us into this fine mess! [The following discussion is based on information that…
Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 3: Looking Into Your Head!
This post continues the discussion I began in “Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 2.” This discussion has to do with Alva’s chapter titled, “Looking Into the Head.” I do recommend that you read this series of posts in order, … Read…
Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 4: Neural Plasticity
Here, Professor Noe takes us into a deep dive of something called “neural plasticity.” This post continues the discussion I began in “Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 3.” I do recommend that you read this series of posts in … Read…
Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 5: Perception, “Can I Believe My Lying Eyes?”
Every student of the philosophy of mind must at some point, preferably early on in their studies, come face-to-face with the “Grand Illusion.” Professor Noe does a superb job of explaining the illusion to us. This post continues the discussion…
Alva Noe’s Philosophical Concepts 6: Perception, “The Grand Illusion Isn’t Real. Oh, Surprise!”
The following discussion is based on information that can be found fully described in Alva Noe’s book, Out of Our Heads: Why You Are Not Your Brain and Other Lessons from the Biology of Consciousness and Alva Noe’s article from…