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Implausibility of Materialism


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Guest Free Lunch
Posted

On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:24:56 -0700, in alt.atheism

someone3 <glenn.spigel3@btinternet.com> wrote in

<1180905896.658511.62240@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>:

>On 3 Jun, 22:19, "Pastor Kutchie, ordained atheist minister"

><nonreplya...@heathens.org.uk> wrote:

>> On Jun 3, 1:50 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>>

>> > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> > following:

>>

>> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> > conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

>> > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

>> > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

>> > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

>> > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

>> > did, which isn't plausible.

>>

>> Can I have Caesar dressing with that word salad?

>

>If you can't understand it, why don't you point out which bit you are

>having trouble comprehending?

 

You appear to be assuming, without evidence, that it is impossible to

have self-awareness in a mechanistic organism.

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Guest someone3
Posted

On 3 Jun, 22:46, "pba...@worldonline.nl" <pba...@worldonline.nl>

wrote:

> On 3 jun, 22:23, someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > On 3 Jun, 21:11, "pba...@worldonline.nl" <pba...@worldonline.nl>

> > wrote:

>

> > > On 3 jun, 21:09, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > > On 3 Jun, 20:03, "pba...@worldonline.nl" <pba...@worldonline.nl>

> > > > wrote:

>

> > > > > On 3 jun, 16:01, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > > > > On 3 Jun, 14:24, "pba...@worldonline.nl" <pba...@worldonline.nl>

> > > > > > wrote:

>

> > > > > > > On 3 jun, 14:50, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > > > > > > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> > > > > > > > following:

>

> > > > > > > > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> > > > > > > > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> > > > > > > > conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

> > > > > > > > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

> > > > > > > > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> > > > > > > > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

> > > > > > > > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> > > > > > > > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> > > > > > > Pardon?

> > > > > > > "Which means that wheter it did or didn't"

> > > > > > > did or didn't what?

>

> > > > > > > If a cameraman goes out with soldiers to make pictures of the war,

> > > > > > > the behaviour of the soldiers during intense combat can be explained

> > > > > > > without references to the camera.

> > > > > > > Thus - according to you it - would be a coincidence if the camera

> > > > > > > would have recorded what actually happened?

>

> > > > > > > Funny way of reasoning:)

>

> > > > > > > In "consciousness explained" Dennet actually describes conciousness as

> > > > > > > the narative our brain stores of what has happened. So comparing it

> > > > > > > whith the camera is not a silly thing to do. Of course unlike the

> > > > > > > camera our consiousness does not consist of raw data, but is also

> > > > > > > build up from conclusions our mind has been making during or after the

> > > > > > > facts that are described happened. This is very usefull for our

> > > > > > > actions during the events (supposing someone is aiming to kill you

> > > > > > > provedes a better guidline for soldiers) that merely concluding that

> > > > > > > certain sounds present themselves to our ears), but somewhat spoiling

> > > > > > > our memory as far as reliability is concerned. (someone might be

> > > > > > > playing a tape of bullets flying around instead of really shooting).

>

> > > > > > > If you have any real problems with materialism,

> > > > > > > you may present them to me,

> > > > > > > I know of no problems so far,

> > > > > > > and am willing the learn wether one is serious enough to ponder about.

>

> > > > > > Your analogy was poor. The soldiers behaviour isn't affected by

> > > > > > whether unknown to them the cameraman was filming. So if they were

> > > > > > talking about the cameraman filming, it would only be a coincidence

> > > > > > that there was a cameraman filming.

>

> > > > > > You couldn't be talking about anything you experience, and about your

> > > > > > subjective experiences, because you actually had subjective

> > > > > > experiences was the point. It would only be a coincidence that you had

> > > > > > the subjective experiences that you were discussing. It would also

> > > > > > have to be a deception that your behaviour was influenced by anything

> > > > > > you subjectively experienced, so on top of it being a coincidence, it

> > > > > > wouldn't even fit with our actual experience.- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -

>

> > > > > > - Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

>

> > > > > You evidently seem to think that soldiers bother to talk to the

> > > > > cameraman when bullets are flying. I do not think that is the case.

> > > > > But any analogy is poor.

> > > > > Let's suppose there is no cameramen but only a hidden camera inside a

> > > > > helmet, of which even the soldier wearing the helmet is oblivious.

> > > > > The effect of the camera would be minimal,

> > > > > yet the story it's picture would tell would not be false.

>

> > > > > Why could I not be talking about my experiences

> > > > > Why can't a camera work?

> > > > > You give me no serious reason for this impromptu statement.

>

> > > > > Again if ourt consience (as Dennett suggest) is only a narrative

> > > > > that doesn't mean it is totally coincidental if the narrative is

> > > > > somewhat correct.

> > > > > Experiences lead to actions - even by robots -

> > > > > if these actions are that monitored

> > > > > than the narrative made by the monitor too is a result of those

> > > > > experiences.

>

> > > > > Futrhermore materialsm doesn't mean consious experciences do not

> > > > > influence our decissions. In my example the camera would not influence

> > > > > the decissions of the soldiers, but if the rewind and look at the

> > > > > pictures, they may find some information about the position of the

> > > > > enemy and plan their future actions accordingly.

>

> > > > > Likewise a robot may learn from it's experciences by using a

> > > > > background program that is modifying the foreground program to work

> > > > > more efficiently, by analizing the data collected by a monitoring

> > > > > unit.

>

> > > > > Of course at present it may be more efficient to have the analyzing

> > > > > done by a human, as humans are already equipped with the hardware and

> > > > > software to do that job.

>

> > > > > In my viwed You haven't said anything that makes "materialism"

> > > > > implausible.

> > > > > (actually I am wondering what you are saying if anything at all)

> > > > > There is a lot though that makes dualism implausible.

> > > > > especially Ockham's razor knife.

>

> > > > The camera in the helmet is analogous to having subjective experiences

> > > > right? Do you understand that if the soldiers were talking about

> > > > having a camera in their helmet (which doesn't affect their

> > > > behaviour), then it would only be a coincidence that there was a

> > > > camera in their helmet?

>

> > > > Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the known laws of

> > > > physics could be explained simply in terms of the physical mechanism

> > > > following the known laws of physics with the assumption that the

> > > > mechanism had no subjective experiences?

>

> > > The first paragraph I understand

> > > what I do not understand what connection that would have towards

> > > the plausibility of materialism.

>

> > > However the second paragraph is known to be untrue.

> > > People do not only have subjective experiences but they act on them.

> > > There are people who think they have been abcucted by aliens and act

> > > accordingly.

> > > There are people who think they have heard the voice of God and act

> > > accordingly.

> > > There is ample evidence to suggest that some of these subjective

> > > experiences are objectively false.(as some maintain that god declares

> > > Islam to be the only true religion while others declare God says it is

> > > not)

>

> > > The fact that spirits do not exist does not mean people do not act

> > > upon their delusions.

> > > If we disagree on this then apperantly one of us is delusional and

> > > acts accordingly.

> > > That doesn't mean there is anything else than brains that acting

> > > differently.

> > > (I can't say better or worse, for if one of us is wrong about this

> > > particular subject, it may well be that the other is decidingly

> > > thinking better about all other subjects)

>

> > > Think about it

> > > and let me know

>

> > What you say is known, is simply your belief. What you are glossing

> > over is that your belief is implausible.

>

> > You state that you believe the following to be untrue:

> > ------------

> > Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the known laws of

> > physics could be explained simply in terms of the physical mechanism

> > following the known laws of physics with the assumption that the

> > mechanism had no subjective experiences?

> > ------------

>

> > Could you explain why a mechanism following the known laws of physics

> > couldn't be explained in terms of the physical mechanism following the

> > known laws of physics?

>

> > Or is it that you think there is a reason that you would be unable to

> > do so with the assumption that the mechanism had no subjective

> > experiences? If so, please explain why I couldn't explain its

> > behaviour in in terms of the physical mechanism following the known

> > laws of physics (which don't reference any subjective experiences the

> > physical might or might not be having), with the assumption that it

> > didn't have any subjective experiences.

>

>

> I am not sure that human actions can be easily explained without the

> assumption of subjective experiences. Of course one can refer to what

> happens in our brains synapsis and disregard anything in the real or

> imagined world that this synaps event deals with but that is certainly

> not easy and actually evading the question whether the subjective

> experience has any importance.

>

> Fact is that subjective experiences do influence our behavior even if

> both the experience and the behaviour contain nothing more than

> someone saying "I experience X".

>

> That does not mean that someone who says to have been abducted by

> aliens was abducted by aliens, but it does mean that this person acts

> differently than some who does not claim so.

>

> Fact is also that these subjecive experiences as such have little

> influence during the experience they are describing.

> The clue to Dennetts vision towards consciousness is that he does not

> imply that the subjective experience is anything more than that:

> Saying what we think has happened..

>

> Of course someone claiming to have been abducted by aliens may also

> react differently towards a plain flying over in the nightsky.

>

> If consiousness/subjective experience is narrative and contained in

> our memory it always is about the past, while as everything it can

> only influence the future.

> It does however (totally!) determine the way we view the past.

>

> Still puzzled as how this has any reference towards materialism.

>

> In case anyone misunderstands:

> Mine are the following views:

>

> 1. Subjective experience has no influence on the real experience it it

> desrcibing

> (unless the experience takes enough time for nr.2 to have effect)

> 2. Subjective experience has a lot of influence on future behaviour.

> 3. Subjective experience is practically the only source for the way we

> view our past.

> 3. Subjective experience need not always to be conscious even though

> consciousness is little more than the subjective experience we

> momentarily

> remember. (I do not want to get flamed by psychologists)

>

 

You just avoided answering the questions as to why

------------

Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the known laws of

physics could be explained simply in terms of the physical mechanism

following the known laws of physics with the assumption that the

mechanism had no subjective experiences?

------------

 

As I asked:

----------------

Could you explain why a mechanism following the known laws of physics

couldn't be explained in terms of the physical mechanism following the

known laws of physics?

 

Or is it that you think there is a reason that you would be unable to

do so with the assumption that the mechanism had no subjective

experiences? If so, please explain why I couldn't explain its

behaviour in in terms of the physical mechanism following the known

laws of physics (which don't reference any subjective experiences the

physical might or might not be having), with the assumption that it

didn't have any subjective experiences.

----------------

 

You could avoid being taken through the reasoning of why materialism

is implausible, and then state that you see no reason why it should be

regarded as such, but why would you?

 

(I'm off for tonight, I'll check the board tommorrow for your response)

Guest someone3
Posted

On 3 Jun, 22:50, Free Lunch <l...@nofreelunch.us> wrote:

> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:24:56 -0700, in alt.atheism

> someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in

> <1180905896.658511.62...@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>:

>

>

>

>

>

> >On 3 Jun, 22:19, "Pastor Kutchie, ordained atheist minister"

> ><nonreplya...@heathens.org.uk> wrote:

> >> On Jun 3, 1:50 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> >> > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> >> > following:

>

> >> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> >> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> >> > conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

> >> > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

> >> > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> >> > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

> >> > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> >> > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> >> Can I have Caesar dressing with that word salad?

>

> >If you can't understand it, why don't you point out which bit you are

> >having trouble comprehending?

>

> You appear to be assuming, without evidence, that it is impossible to

> have self-awareness in a mechanistic organism

 

You haven't understood what I am saying, follow the converstation with

J Forbes, and maybe that will help you. I'll check the board tommorrow

if you are still having problems, and take you through it.

Guest ttamborselli@gmail.com
Posted

On Jun 3, 12:33 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> On 3 Jun, 20:28, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>

>

>

> > On Jun 3, 5:50 am, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> > > following:

>

> > A backhanded insult from the get go. If we understand it then we're

> > OK, but if we can't understand it then, well, the implied "we're dumb"

> > is built right in. Talk about poisoning the well.

>

> > > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> > > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> > > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>

> > Plenty of mechanisms like this: gravity, quantum mechanics, the strong

> > nuclear force, the weak nuclear force. Or did you have something else

> > in mind? Were you thinking of the human body? Plenty of non-subjective

> > experience/non-conscious actions within the human body like blood

> > flow, brain chemicals interacting, stomach digestion, breathing, pupil

> > dilation, & etc. Or did you have something else in mind?

>

> > Why not actually come out and say what you mean rather than say "any

> > mechanism?" What mechanism are you talking about? Be specific.

>

> > >Which means that whether it

> > > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>

> > Assertion that subjective experiences (or lack thereof) affect the

> > laws of physics. Could you provide a specific example of this? Or are

> > we talking about the general "any mechanism?"

>

> > >Therefore if we were simply a

> > > biological mechanism,

>

> > Good start.

>

> > >we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> > > experiences because of their existance.

>

> > Bad landing. Nope. Word salad, as previously mentioned. But we are

> > biological mechanisms. And we do talk to each other about our

> > subjective experiences. So your position is wrong. Straight from the

> > beginning.

>

> > >It would have to be a

> > > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> > > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> > Followed up by more crap. "I don't believe it could happen so it

> > couldn't happen" - is that the gist of it? But it does, so you're

> > delusional.

>

> > In the end, nothing specific. "Any mechanism ..." Assertions and more

> > assertions. You're attempting to tie philosophy with science. And

> > badly at that.

>

> > Try again.

>

> As I said, any mechanism that followed the laws of physics, so yes we

> are talking about the general.

>

> Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of physics

> could have its behaviour explained with in terms of the physical

> mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that it

> had no subjective experiences?

 

The operative word you use is "could." Yes, sure. "Any mechanism"

"could" operate without subjective experience. But that doesn't mean

that all do. Since there are subjective experiences (fact) and we are

present in a material world (fact), then your implication that we

shouldn't have subjective experiences is obviously crap.

 

This whole statement of yours is simply as logical as "if a chicken

and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, then a cat

is like a sidewalk because neither can play the piano."

 

I asked for a specific example. You didn't give it. Why not? I asked

several other questions. I provided several examples. No response on

any of those. Only that you want a general comment about "any

mechanism" following the laws of physics.

 

Me: 2

You: 0

 

Try again.

 

/BC

Guest pbamvv@worldonline.nl
Posted

On 3 jun, 21:33, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> On 3 Jun, 20:28, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > On Jun 3, 5:50 am, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> > > following:

>

> > A backhanded insult from the get go. If we understand it then we're

> > OK, but if we can't understand it then, well, the implied "we're dumb"

> > is built right in. Talk about poisoning the well.

>

> > > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> > > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> > > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>

> > Plenty of mechanisms like this: gravity, quantum mechanics, the strong

> > nuclear force, the weak nuclear force. Or did you have something else

> > in mind? Were you thinking of the human body? Plenty of non-subjective

> > experience/non-conscious actions within the human body like blood

> > flow, brain chemicals interacting, stomach digestion, breathing, pupil

> > dilation, & etc. Or did you have something else in mind?

>

> > Why not actually come out and say what you mean rather than say "any

> > mechanism?" What mechanism are you talking about? Be specific.

>

> > >Which means that whether it

> > > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>

> > Assertion that subjective experiences (or lack thereof) affect the

> > laws of physics. Could you provide a specific example of this? Or are

> > we talking about the general "any mechanism?"

>

> > >Therefore if we were simply a

> > > biological mechanism,

>

> > Good start.

>

> > >we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> > > experiences because of their existance.

>

> > Bad landing. Nope. Word salad, as previously mentioned. But we are

> > biological mechanisms. And we do talk to each other about our

> > subjective experiences. So your position is wrong. Straight from the

> > beginning.

>

> > >It would have to be a

> > > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> > > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> > Followed up by more crap. "I don't believe it could happen so it

> > couldn't happen" - is that the gist of it? But it does, so you're

> > delusional.

>

> > In the end, nothing specific. "Any mechanism ..." Assertions and more

> > assertions. You're attempting to tie philosophy with science. And

> > badly at that.

>

> > Try again.

>

> As I said, any mechanism that followed the laws of physics, so yes we

> are talking about the general.

>

> Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of physics

> could have its behaviour explained with in terms of the physical

> mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that it

> had no subjective experiences?- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -

>

> - Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

 

or without that assumption. . .

in order to decide the importance of subjective experience

one would have to know the influence of those experiences on the

behaviour of the subject.

Many people have experienced you opening post as "word salad",

and act accordingly:)

 

but don't respond here, I have my own place in the thread where I have

refrained from such expressions:)

Guest Free Lunch
Posted

On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:55:25 -0700, in alt.atheism

someone3 <glenn.spigel3@btinternet.com> wrote in

<1180907725.119825.119260@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>:

>On 3 Jun, 22:50, Free Lunch <l...@nofreelunch.us> wrote:

>> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:24:56 -0700, in alt.atheism

>> someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in

>> <1180905896.658511.62...@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>:

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> >On 3 Jun, 22:19, "Pastor Kutchie, ordained atheist minister"

>> ><nonreplya...@heathens.org.uk> wrote:

>> >> On Jun 3, 1:50 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>>

>> >> > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> >> > following:

>>

>> >> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> >> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> >> > conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

>> >> > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

>> >> > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

>> >> > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

>> >> > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

>> >> > did, which isn't plausible.

>>

>> >> Can I have Caesar dressing with that word salad?

>>

>> >If you can't understand it, why don't you point out which bit you are

>> >having trouble comprehending?

>>

>> You appear to be assuming, without evidence, that it is impossible to

>> have self-awareness in a mechanistic organism

>

>You haven't understood what I am saying, follow the converstation with

>J Forbes, and maybe that will help you. I'll check the board tommorrow

>if you are still having problems, and take you through it.

 

You are quite impressed with yourself. I see no reason for that.

Guest raven1
Posted

On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 09:31:42 -0700, someone2

<glenn.spigel2@btinternet.com> wrote:

>On 3 Jun, 17:20, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

>> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:53:43 -0700, someone2

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> >On 3 Jun, 16:49, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

>> >> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 05:50:33 -0700, someone2

>>

>> >> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> >> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> >> >following:

>>

>> >> >Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> >> >have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> >> >conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

>> >> >did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

>> >> >biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

>> >> >experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

>> >> >coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

>> >> >did, which isn't plausible.

>>

>> >> I understand the gist of it, but the conclusion does not follow from

>> >> the premises, sentence three is gobbledygook, and sentence four is an

>> >> argument from personal incredulity (which would scan much better with

>> >> "implied" substituted for "claimed"). Try again.

>>

>> >The conclusion does follow from the premises. Where do you think it

>> >doesn't,

>>

>> It simply doesn't. How do you think that it does?

>>

>> Let's reduce it to an actual syllogism for illustration purposes:

>>

>> P1: "A mechanism can have its behavior explained without invoking

>> consciousness"

>>

>> Okay so far? Am I fairly encapsulating your first premise?

>>

>> P2: (on which you're already de-railing, since it is a subset of P1as

>> you phrased it, but doesn't logically follow from it) "Whether or not

>> a mechanism is conscious has no effect on its behavior". This is

>> unsupported, to say the least; you haven't demonstrated that

>> consciousness has no effect on behavior, just assumed it.

>>

>> C: Sentence three is word salad, but the next sentence gives the idea

>> that you're implying that because of P1 and P2, that there must be

>> some kind of "Ghost In The Machine", which simply doesn't follow.

>>

>> >and what part of sentance three are you having problems in

>> >comprehending?

>>

>> What the Hell you were trying to say in English. The words all mean

>> something, but their combination is nonsensical.

>

>If having subjective experiences did affect behaviour (your objection

>to P2),

 

My objection is that you have neither demonstrated that consciousness

has no affect on behavior, nor pointed out why this would be an issue

in the first place, other than your own personal incredulity.

> then how could behaviour be explained without taking it into

>account (P1)?

 

As you haven't demonstrated P1 either, the ball is in your court, but

again, it does not follow from either premise that some kind of

immaterial agent is necessary for consciousness.

--

 

"O Sybilli, si ergo

Fortibus es in ero

O Nobili! Themis trux

Sivat sinem? Causen Dux"

Guest raven1
Posted

On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:25:42 -0700, someone2

<glenn.spigel2@btinternet.com> wrote:

>On 3 Jun, 18:03, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> On 3 Jun, 17:31, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> > On 3 Jun, 17:20, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

>>

>> > > On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:53:43 -0700, someone2

>>

>> > > <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> > > >On 3 Jun, 16:49, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

>> > > >> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 05:50:33 -0700, someone2

>>

>> > > >> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> > > >> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> > > >> >following:

>>

>> > > >> >Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> > > >> >have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> > > >> >conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

>> > > >> >did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

>> > > >> >biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

>> > > >> >experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

>> > > >> >coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

>> > > >> >did, which isn't plausible.

>>

>> > > >> I understand the gist of it, but the conclusion does not follow from

>> > > >> the premises, sentence three is gobbledygook, and sentence four is an

>> > > >> argument from personal incredulity (which would scan much better with

>> > > >> "implied" substituted for "claimed"). Try again.

>>

>> > > >The conclusion does follow from the premises. Where do you think it

>> > > >doesn't,

>>

>> > > It simply doesn't. How do you think that it does?

>>

>> > > Let's reduce it to an actual syllogism for illustration purposes:

>>

>> > > P1: "A mechanism can have its behavior explained without invoking

>> > > consciousness"

>>

>> > > Okay so far? Am I fairly encapsulating your first premise?

>>

>> > > P2: (on which you're already de-railing, since it is a subset of P1as

>> > > you phrased it, but doesn't logically follow from it) "Whether or not

>> > > a mechanism is conscious has no effect on its behavior". This is

>> > > unsupported, to say the least; you haven't demonstrated that

>> > > consciousness has no effect on behavior, just assumed it.

>>

>> > > C: Sentence three is word salad, but the next sentence gives the idea

>> > > that you're implying that because of P1 and P2, that there must be

>> > > some kind of "Ghost In The Machine", which simply doesn't follow.

>>

>> > > >and what part of sentance three are you having problems in

>> > > >comprehending?

>>

>> > > What the Hell you were trying to say in English. The words all mean

>> > > something, but their combination is nonsensical.

>>

>> > If having subjective experiences did affect behaviour (your objection

>> > to P2), then how could behaviour be explained without taking it into

>> > account (P1)?

>>

>> Noticing you have gone a bit quite, has it dawned on you that it did

>> follow, and that you were deceived in what you were led to believe, or

>> do you think it is simply a question of you requiring more time before

>> the answer will come to you?

>>

>

>Would an atheist scientist or philosopher care to try to help raven1

>out here, or can you see where you too were deceived?

 

Has it occurred to you that some of us have a life outside of Usenet?

--

 

"O Sybilli, si ergo

Fortibus es in ero

O Nobili! Themis trux

Sivat sinem? Causen Dux"

Guest raven1
Posted

On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 09:31:42 -0700, someone2

<glenn.spigel2@btinternet.com> wrote:

>On 3 Jun, 17:20, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

>> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:53:43 -0700, someone2

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> >On 3 Jun, 16:49, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

>> >> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 05:50:33 -0700, someone2

>>

>> >> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> >> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> >> >following:

>>

>> >> >Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> >> >have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> >> >conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

>> >> >did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

>> >> >biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

>> >> >experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

>> >> >coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

>> >> >did, which isn't plausible.

>>

>> >> I understand the gist of it, but the conclusion does not follow from

>> >> the premises, sentence three is gobbledygook, and sentence four is an

>> >> argument from personal incredulity (which would scan much better with

>> >> "implied" substituted for "claimed"). Try again.

>>

>> >The conclusion does follow from the premises. Where do you think it

>> >doesn't,

>>

>> It simply doesn't. How do you think that it does?

>>

>> Let's reduce it to an actual syllogism for illustration purposes:

>>

>> P1: "A mechanism can have its behavior explained without invoking

>> consciousness"

>>

>> Okay so far? Am I fairly encapsulating your first premise?

>>

>> P2: (on which you're already de-railing, since it is a subset of P1as

>> you phrased it, but doesn't logically follow from it) "Whether or not

>> a mechanism is conscious has no effect on its behavior". This is

>> unsupported, to say the least; you haven't demonstrated that

>> consciousness has no effect on behavior, just assumed it.

>>

>> C: Sentence three is word salad, but the next sentence gives the idea

>> that you're implying that because of P1 and P2, that there must be

>> some kind of "Ghost In The Machine", which simply doesn't follow.

>>

>> >and what part of sentance three are you having problems in

>> >comprehending?

>>

>> What the Hell you were trying to say in English. The words all mean

>> something, but their combination is nonsensical.

>

>If having subjective experiences did affect behaviour (your objection

>to P2), then how could behaviour be explained without taking it into

>account (P1)?

 

Where did you see me agree with either premise?

--

 

"O Sybilli, si ergo

Fortibus es in ero

O Nobili! Themis trux

Sivat sinem? Causen Dux"

Guest Denis Loubet
Posted

"someone3" <glenn.spigel3@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:1180903459.945467.317500@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> On 3 Jun, 21:38, "Denis Loubet" <dlou...@io.com> wrote:

>> "someone2" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>>

>> news:1180891870.230456.185600@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> > On 3 Jun, 18:27, "Denis Loubet" <dlou...@io.com> wrote:

>> >> "someone2" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>>

>> >>news:1180875033.790773.206010@n4g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...

>>

>> >> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> >> > following:

>>

>> >> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> >> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> >> > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>>

>> >> No. If the mechanism was conscious, then the explanation of its

>> >> behavior

>> >> would necessarily include that consciousness.

>>

>> >> > Which means that whether it

>> >> > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>>

>> >> Which is nonsense. The explanation of its behavior would necessarily

>> >> include

>> >> the operation of its consciousness if it was conscious.

>>

>> >> > Therefore if we were simply a

>> >> > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

>> >> > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

>> >> > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed

>> >> > we

>> >> > did, which isn't plausible.

>>

>> >> Well, since you obviously don't understand what you wrote, it's not

>> >> surprising that you've reached incorrect conclusions.

>>

>> > Why would I be required to assume any mechanism that simply followed

>> > the laws of physics was conscious,

>>

>> Who said you had to?

>>

>> > why couldn't I explain it simply in

>> > terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics with the

>> > assumption that it wasn't?

>>

>> If you fully describe the behavior of the mechanism in terms of a

>> physical

>> mechanism following the laws of physics, then you are describing all the

>> events that contribute to that behavior. If the mechanism is conscious,

>> the

>> consciousness will be included in the description of events in terms of

>> physical mechanisms following the laws of physics. Consciousness is

>> physical mechanisms following the laws of physics. Consciousness is just

>> our

>> word that labels a particular VARIETY of physical mechanisms following

>> the

>> laws of physics.

>>

>

> While I you can believe that the mechanism is responsible for our

> subjective experiences, you avoided explaining why I couldn't

> explain the behaviour of the mechanism simply in terms of the physical

> mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that

> there were no subjective experiences, or could I?

 

I did not say you couldn't explain the behaviour of the mechanism simply in

terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics, with the

assumption that there were no subjective experiences, and I defy you to

point out where I did.

 

What I DID say is that in explaining the behaviour of the mechanism simply

in terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics, with the

assumption that there were no subjective experiences, you would, of

necessity, include in that explanation the physical events that constitute

consciousness if they occurred.

 

Unless, of course, you arbitrarily want to avoid describing those physical

events that constitute consciousness, and affect behavior, and leave your

explanation incomplete. You are free to do that.

 

 

--

Denis Loubet

dloubet@io.com

http://www.io.com/~dloubet

http://www.ashenempires.com

Guest someone3
Posted

On 3 Jun, 22:56, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

> On Jun 3, 12:33 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > On 3 Jun, 20:28, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>

> > > On Jun 3, 5:50 am, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> > > > following:

>

> > > A backhanded insult from the get go. If we understand it then we're

> > > OK, but if we can't understand it then, well, the implied "we're dumb"

> > > is built right in. Talk about poisoning the well.

>

> > > > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> > > > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> > > > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>

> > > Plenty of mechanisms like this: gravity, quantum mechanics, the strong

> > > nuclear force, the weak nuclear force. Or did you have something else

> > > in mind? Were you thinking of the human body? Plenty of non-subjective

> > > experience/non-conscious actions within the human body like blood

> > > flow, brain chemicals interacting, stomach digestion, breathing, pupil

> > > dilation, & etc. Or did you have something else in mind?

>

> > > Why not actually come out and say what you mean rather than say "any

> > > mechanism?" What mechanism are you talking about? Be specific.

>

> > > >Which means that whether it

> > > > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>

> > > Assertion that subjective experiences (or lack thereof) affect the

> > > laws of physics. Could you provide a specific example of this? Or are

> > > we talking about the general "any mechanism?"

>

> > > >Therefore if we were simply a

> > > > biological mechanism,

>

> > > Good start.

>

> > > >we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> > > > experiences because of their existance.

>

> > > Bad landing. Nope. Word salad, as previously mentioned. But we are

> > > biological mechanisms. And we do talk to each other about our

> > > subjective experiences. So your position is wrong. Straight from the

> > > beginning.

>

> > > >It would have to be a

> > > > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> > > > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> > > Followed up by more crap. "I don't believe it could happen so it

> > > couldn't happen" - is that the gist of it? But it does, so you're

> > > delusional.

>

> > > In the end, nothing specific. "Any mechanism ..." Assertions and more

> > > assertions. You're attempting to tie philosophy with science. And

> > > badly at that.

>

> > > Try again.

>

> > As I said, any mechanism that followed the laws of physics, so yes we

> > are talking about the general.

>

> > Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of physics

> > could have its behaviour explained with in terms of the physical

> > mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that it

> > had no subjective experiences?

>

> The operative word you use is "could." Yes, sure. "Any mechanism"

> "could" operate without subjective experience. But that doesn't mean

> that all do. Since there are subjective experiences (fact) and we are

> present in a material world (fact), then your implication that we

> shouldn't have subjective experiences is obviously crap.

>

> This whole statement of yours is simply as logical as "if a chicken

> and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, then a cat

> is like a sidewalk because neither can play the piano."

>

> I asked for a specific example. You didn't give it. Why not? I asked

> several other questions. I provided several examples. No response on

> any of those. Only that you want a general comment about "any

> mechanism" following the laws of physics.

>

> Me: 2

> You: 0

>

> Try again.

>

 

You are funny, your inability to comprehend what you are being told

doesn't score you points!

 

It was a simple question, and it was general about any mechanism

following the laws of physics as they are known to us (i.e. don't

directly reference subjective experiences). You can mention a specific

mechanism if you like, it will still fall under the general rule.

 

You say you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of

physics as they are known to us, could be explained with the

assumption that there were no subjective experiences. Do you also

understand then that even if the mechanism was responsible for

subjective experiences, that the experiences couldn't influence the

behaviour, which would simply be determined by the mechanism?

Guest someone3
Posted

On 3 Jun, 22:57, "pba...@worldonline.nl" <pba...@worldonline.nl>

wrote:

> On 3 jun, 21:33, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > On 3 Jun, 20:28, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>

> > > On Jun 3, 5:50 am, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> > > > following:

>

> > > A backhanded insult from the get go. If we understand it then we're

> > > OK, but if we can't understand it then, well, the implied "we're dumb"

> > > is built right in. Talk about poisoning the well.

>

> > > > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> > > > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> > > > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>

> > > Plenty of mechanisms like this: gravity, quantum mechanics, the strong

> > > nuclear force, the weak nuclear force. Or did you have something else

> > > in mind? Were you thinking of the human body? Plenty of non-subjective

> > > experience/non-conscious actions within the human body like blood

> > > flow, brain chemicals interacting, stomach digestion, breathing, pupil

> > > dilation, & etc. Or did you have something else in mind?

>

> > > Why not actually come out and say what you mean rather than say "any

> > > mechanism?" What mechanism are you talking about? Be specific.

>

> > > >Which means that whether it

> > > > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>

> > > Assertion that subjective experiences (or lack thereof) affect the

> > > laws of physics. Could you provide a specific example of this? Or are

> > > we talking about the general "any mechanism?"

>

> > > >Therefore if we were simply a

> > > > biological mechanism,

>

> > > Good start.

>

> > > >we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> > > > experiences because of their existance.

>

> > > Bad landing. Nope. Word salad, as previously mentioned. But we are

> > > biological mechanisms. And we do talk to each other about our

> > > subjective experiences. So your position is wrong. Straight from the

> > > beginning.

>

> > > >It would have to be a

> > > > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> > > > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> > > Followed up by more crap. "I don't believe it could happen so it

> > > couldn't happen" - is that the gist of it? But it does, so you're

> > > delusional.

>

> > > In the end, nothing specific. "Any mechanism ..." Assertions and more

> > > assertions. You're attempting to tie philosophy with science. And

> > > badly at that.

>

> > > Try again.

>

> > As I said, any mechanism that followed the laws of physics, so yes we

> > are talking about the general.

>

> > Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of physics

> > could have its behaviour explained with in terms of the physical

> > mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that it

> > had no subjective experiences?

>

> or without that assumption. . .

> in order to decide the importance of subjective experience

> one would have to know the influence of those experiences on the

> behaviour of the subject.

> Many people have experienced you opening post as "word salad",

> and act accordingly:)

>

> but don't respond here, I have my own place in the thread where I have

> refrained from such expressions:)

>

 

well why don't you continue the conversation there, are you stuck?

Guest someone2
Posted

On 3 Jun, 23:05, Free Lunch <l...@nofreelunch.us> wrote:

> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:55:25 -0700, in alt.atheism

> someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in

> <1180907725.119825.119...@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>:

>

>

>

>

>

> >On 3 Jun, 22:50, Free Lunch <l...@nofreelunch.us> wrote:

> >> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:24:56 -0700, in alt.atheism

> >> someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in

> >> <1180905896.658511.62...@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>:

>

> >> >On 3 Jun, 22:19, "Pastor Kutchie, ordained atheist minister"

> >> ><nonreplya...@heathens.org.uk> wrote:

> >> >> On Jun 3, 1:50 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> >> >> > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> >> >> > following:

>

> >> >> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> >> >> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> >> >> > conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

> >> >> > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

> >> >> > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> >> >> > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

> >> >> > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> >> >> > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> >> >> Can I have Caesar dressing with that word salad?

>

> >> >If you can't understand it, why don't you point out which bit you are

> >> >having trouble comprehending?

>

> >> You appear to be assuming, without evidence, that it is impossible to

> >> have self-awareness in a mechanistic organism

>

> >You haven't understood what I am saying, follow the converstation with

> >J Forbes, and maybe that will help you. I'll check the board tommorrow

> >if you are still having problems, and take you through it.

>

> You are quite impressed with yourself. I see no reason for that

>

 

I'm not impressed with myself. Did you manage to follow the

conversation, or was there anything you didn't comprehend?

Guest someone2
Posted

On 3 Jun, 23:55, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 09:31:42 -0700, someone2

>

>

>

>

>

> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> >On 3 Jun, 17:20, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

> >> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:53:43 -0700, someone2

>

> >> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> >> >On 3 Jun, 16:49, raven1 <quoththera...@nevermore.com> wrote:

> >> >> On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 05:50:33 -0700, someone2

>

> >> >> <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> >> >> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> >> >> >following:

>

> >> >> >Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> >> >> >have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> >> >> >conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

> >> >> >did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

> >> >> >biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> >> >> >experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

> >> >> >coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> >> >> >did, which isn't plausible.

>

> >> >> I understand the gist of it, but the conclusion does not follow from

> >> >> the premises, sentence three is gobbledygook, and sentence four is an

> >> >> argument from personal incredulity (which would scan much better with

> >> >> "implied" substituted for "claimed"). Try again.

>

> >> >The conclusion does follow from the premises. Where do you think it

> >> >doesn't,

>

> >> It simply doesn't. How do you think that it does?

>

> >> Let's reduce it to an actual syllogism for illustration purposes:

>

> >> P1: "A mechanism can have its behavior explained without invoking

> >> consciousness"

>

> >> Okay so far? Am I fairly encapsulating your first premise?

>

> >> P2: (on which you're already de-railing, since it is a subset of P1as

> >> you phrased it, but doesn't logically follow from it) "Whether or not

> >> a mechanism is conscious has no effect on its behavior". This is

> >> unsupported, to say the least; you haven't demonstrated that

> >> consciousness has no effect on behavior, just assumed it.

>

> >> C: Sentence three is word salad, but the next sentence gives the idea

> >> that you're implying that because of P1 and P2, that there must be

> >> some kind of "Ghost In The Machine", which simply doesn't follow.

>

> >> >and what part of sentance three are you having problems in

> >> >comprehending?

>

> >> What the Hell you were trying to say in English. The words all mean

> >> something, but their combination is nonsensical.

>

> >If having subjective experiences did affect behaviour (your objection

> >to P2),

>

> My objection is that you have neither demonstrated that consciousness

> has no affect on behavior, nor pointed out why this would be an issue

> in the first place, other than your own personal incredulity.

>

> > then how could behaviour be explained without taking it into

> >account (P1)?

>

> As you haven't demonstrated P1 either, the ball is in your court, but

> again, it does not follow from either premise that some kind of

> immaterial agent is necessary for consciousness.

> --

>

 

I demonstrated it given P1, which is why you are unable to say why if

P1 were true then P2 wouldn't be, even though you eroneously claimed

P2 didn't follow. So will you admit you were wrong, and that P2 does

follow P1, or will you avoid facing it?

 

You are free to say why you would object to P1, or perhaps the

original wording you based P1 on:

 

-------

Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

conscious (had no subjective experiences).

-------

 

I'd be interested to hear why I couldn't simply explain the

behaviour of the mechanism simply in terms of the physical mechanism

following the laws of physics (which don't reference subjective

experiences), with the assumption that it didn't have any subjective

experiences.

 

I wouldn't worry as of yet about your inability to understand the

ramifications, just try to concentrate on understanding the point at

hand, then we can go onto the ramifications after you comprehend some

simple truths.

Guest someone2
Posted

On 4 Jun, 00:44, "Denis Loubet" <dlou...@io.com> wrote:

> "someone3" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>

> news:1180903459.945467.317500@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

>

>

>

>

>

> > On 3 Jun, 21:38, "Denis Loubet" <dlou...@io.com> wrote:

> >> "someone2" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>

> >>news:1180891870.230456.185600@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

>

> >> > On 3 Jun, 18:27, "Denis Loubet" <dlou...@io.com> wrote:

> >> >> "someone2" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>

> >> >>news:1180875033.790773.206010@n4g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...

>

> >> >> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> >> >> > following:

>

> >> >> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> >> >> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> >> >> > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>

> >> >> No. If the mechanism was conscious, then the explanation of its

> >> >> behavior

> >> >> would necessarily include that consciousness.

>

> >> >> > Which means that whether it

> >> >> > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>

> >> >> Which is nonsense. The explanation of its behavior would necessarily

> >> >> include

> >> >> the operation of its consciousness if it was conscious.

>

> >> >> > Therefore if we were simply a

> >> >> > biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> >> >> > experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

> >> >> > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed

> >> >> > we

> >> >> > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> >> >> Well, since you obviously don't understand what you wrote, it's not

> >> >> surprising that you've reached incorrect conclusions.

>

> >> > Why would I be required to assume any mechanism that simply followed

> >> > the laws of physics was conscious,

>

> >> Who said you had to?

>

> >> > why couldn't I explain it simply in

> >> > terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics with the

> >> > assumption that it wasn't?

>

> >> If you fully describe the behavior of the mechanism in terms of a

> >> physical

> >> mechanism following the laws of physics, then you are describing all the

> >> events that contribute to that behavior. If the mechanism is conscious,

> >> the

> >> consciousness will be included in the description of events in terms of

> >> physical mechanisms following the laws of physics. Consciousness is

> >> physical mechanisms following the laws of physics. Consciousness is just

> >> our

> >> word that labels a particular VARIETY of physical mechanisms following

> >> the

> >> laws of physics.

>

> > While I you can believe that the mechanism is responsible for our

> > subjective experiences, you avoided explaining why I couldn't

> > explain the behaviour of the mechanism simply in terms of the physical

> > mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that

> > there were no subjective experiences, or could I?

>

> I did not say you couldn't explain the behaviour of the mechanism simply in

> terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics, with the

> assumption that there were no subjective experiences, and I defy you to

> point out where I did.

>

> What I DID say is that in explaining the behaviour of the mechanism simply

> in terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics, with the

> assumption that there were no subjective experiences, you would, of

> necessity, include in that explanation the physical events that constitute

> consciousness if they occurred.

>

> Unless, of course, you arbitrarily want to avoid describing those physical

> events that constitute consciousness, and affect behavior, and leave your

> explanation incomplete. You are free to do that.

>

 

So you admit, that the behaviour of the mechanism could be explained

with the assumption that it didn't have any subjective experiences.

 

Can you follow that this being the case, whether it did or didn't have

any subjective experiences couldn't influence the behaviour, for if it

did, its behaviour could not be explained without taking into account

whether it did or didn't have any subjective experiences?

Guest ttamborselli@gmail.com
Posted

On Jun 3, 4:46 pm, someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> On 3 Jun, 22:56, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>

>

>

> > On Jun 3, 12:33 pm, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > On 3 Jun, 20:28, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>

> > > > On Jun 3, 5:50 am, someone2 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>

> > > > > I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> > > > > following:

>

> > > > A backhanded insult from the get go. If we understand it then we're

> > > > OK, but if we can't understand it then, well, the implied "we're dumb"

> > > > is built right in. Talk about poisoning the well.

>

> > > > > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> > > > > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> > > > > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>

> > > > Plenty of mechanisms like this: gravity, quantum mechanics, the strong

> > > > nuclear force, the weak nuclear force. Or did you have something else

> > > > in mind? Were you thinking of the human body? Plenty of non-subjective

> > > > experience/non-conscious actions within the human body like blood

> > > > flow, brain chemicals interacting, stomach digestion, breathing, pupil

> > > > dilation, & etc. Or did you have something else in mind?

>

> > > > Why not actually come out and say what you mean rather than say "any

> > > > mechanism?" What mechanism are you talking about? Be specific.

>

> > > > >Which means that whether it

> > > > > did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour.

>

> > > > Assertion that subjective experiences (or lack thereof) affect the

> > > > laws of physics. Could you provide a specific example of this? Or are

> > > > we talking about the general "any mechanism?"

>

> > > > >Therefore if we were simply a

> > > > > biological mechanism,

>

> > > > Good start.

>

> > > > >we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> > > > > experiences because of their existance.

>

> > > > Bad landing. Nope. Word salad, as previously mentioned. But we are

> > > > biological mechanisms. And we do talk to each other about our

> > > > subjective experiences. So your position is wrong. Straight from the

> > > > beginning.

>

> > > > >It would have to be a

> > > > > coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> > > > > did, which isn't plausible.

>

> > > > Followed up by more crap. "I don't believe it could happen so it

> > > > couldn't happen" - is that the gist of it? But it does, so you're

> > > > delusional.

>

> > > > In the end, nothing specific. "Any mechanism ..." Assertions and more

> > > > assertions. You're attempting to tie philosophy with science. And

> > > > badly at that.

>

> > > > Try again.

>

> > > As I said, any mechanism that followed the laws of physics, so yes we

> > > are talking about the general.

>

> > > Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of physics

> > > could have its behaviour explained with in terms of the physical

> > > mechanism following the laws of physics, with the assumption that it

> > > had no subjective experiences?

>

> > The operative word you use is "could." Yes, sure. "Any mechanism"

> > "could" operate without subjective experience. But that doesn't mean

> > that all do. Since there are subjective experiences (fact) and we are

> > present in a material world (fact), then your implication that we

> > shouldn't have subjective experiences is obviously crap.

>

> > This whole statement of yours is simply as logical as "if a chicken

> > and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, then a cat

> > is like a sidewalk because neither can play the piano."

>

> > I asked for a specific example. You didn't give it. Why not? I asked

> > several other questions. I provided several examples. No response on

> > any of those. Only that you want a general comment about "any

> > mechanism" following the laws of physics.

>

> > Me: 2

> > You: 0

>

> > Try again.

>

> You are funny, your inability to comprehend what you are being told

> doesn't score you points!

 

You're not funny, your inability to comprehend logic doesn't score you

any points. Your failure to answer any of my questions also doesn't

score you any points. Even your failure to respond to your "poisoning

the well" with your first comment of "I was wondering how many on the

atheist page can understand the following" doesn't score you any

points.

> It was a simple question,

 

Which I answered. Yes, any mechanism "could" occur with no subjective

experience but not all. Which "any mechanism" are you interested in

discussing?

>and it was general about any mechanism

> following the laws of physics as they are known to us (i.e. don't

> directly reference subjective experiences).

 

Which "any mechanism" do you mean?

>You can mention a specific

> mechanism if you like, it will still fall under the general rule.

 

So, "if a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a

half, then a cat is like a sidewalk because neither can play the

piano." That seems as an appropriate a "general rule" as yours. Give

me any specific mechanism.

 

Are you even remotely familiar with logic or the laws of physics? What

experience (subjective or otherwise) do you have with any sort of

education in physics? Is there even a "general rule" of physics that

you could tell me about that "any mechanism" would fall under?

 

Are you aware of how many types of physics there are? Optics, Nuclear

Theory, Atomic Theory, String Theory, Classical Mechanics, Statistical

Mechanics, General Relativity, Special Relativity, Quantum Mechanics,

Electrodyamics, and more. Which "general rule" covers all of these so

that "any mechanism" would be covered by your statement above?

 

Can't come up with even ONE example?

> You say you understand that any mechanism that followed the laws of

> physics as they are known to us, could be explained with the

> assumption that there were no subjective experiences.

 

Yes, again, the operative word is "could." Yes, "any mechanism"

"could" be explained with no subjective experience. But not all.

 

Do you have any examples that you'd care to share?

 

Which "any mechanism?"

 

Why can't you answer that simple question?

>Do you also

> understand then that even if the mechanism was responsible for

> subjective experiences, that the experiences couldn't influence the

> behaviour, which would simply be determined by the mechanism?

 

You're jumping ahead of yourself. Simply stating that "any mechanism"

"could" be explained with no subjective experience does not mean that

all can be explained with no subjective experience.

 

In the set of "any mechanisms" are at least three types: those that

can be explained with no subjective experience and those that cannot

as well as those that can be explained with both subjective experience

and without subjective experience. There may be more types. I don't

know. Since you refuse to actually give an example, why should I

continue along with this "influence the behavior" issue?

 

Which "any mechanism" do you mean?

 

You've reduced your statement to something totally meaningless. "Any

mechanism" is too general to make any sort of sense in any reasonable

manner. That's like stating "something happened somewhere" without

going into any specifics of "something" or "somewhere."

 

What specific "any mechanism" are you talking about? Give an example.

Why can't you answer my questions?

 

Oh, and yes, I can score. Why? Because your logic is very, very

faulty. And you ignore my questions. And you know pretty much nothing

about physics.

 

Me: 3

You: -15

 

Try again.

 

/BC

Guest Jeckyl
Posted

"someone2" <glenn.spigel2@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:1180897262.756195.175170@q66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> On 3 Jun, 18:31, "Jeckyl" <n...@nowhere.com> wrote:

>> "someone2" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>>

>> news:1180888302.413726.236820@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

>>

>> > If having subjective experiences did affect behaviour (your objection

>> > to P2), then how could behaviour be explained without taking it into

>> > account (P1)?

>>

>> So P1 is incorrect, and you argument collapses

>

> How so? (by the way, since there is only me responding, I will only

> respond to you in this section, rather than having seperate

> converstations with you throughout this single thread)

 

Your premises are incorrect in that they assume consciousness is not a

physical process, and that the 'laws' of nature are actually correct and

complete.

Guest Jeckyl
Posted

"someone2" <glenn.spigel2@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:1180897390.208099.326850@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> On 3 Jun, 18:14, "Jeckyl" <n...@nowhere.com> wrote:

>> "someone2" <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

>>

>> news:1180875033.790773.206010@n4g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...

>>

>> >I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

>> > following:

>>

>> It depend on how well you explain it

>>

>> > Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

>> > have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

>> > conscious (had no subjective experiences).

>>

>> There's you first mistake, assuming that consciousness if outside the

>> laws

>> of physics.

>>

>> Secondly you assume that the laws of physics controlls reality .. that

>> is

>> not the cse .. the "laws" of physics attempt to model and explain

>> reality.

>> That something happens which is outside the scope of those model and

>> explanations does not make that something impossible, nor does it

>> invalidate

>> the "laws"

>>

>> So the rest of your arguments and conclusions can be ignored, as they are

>> based upon faulty premises.

>

> I have answered you elsewhere, and perhaps you can explain there how

> the physical world we experience is not governed by rules.

 

I said nothing of the sort.

Guest Mike Painter
Posted

someone2 wrote:

> I was wondering how many on the atheist page can understand the

> following:

>

> Any mechanism which simply followed the known laws of physics, could

> have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> conscious (had no subjective experiences). Which means that whether it

> did or didn't couldn't affect behaviour. Therefore if we were simply a

> biological mechanism, we couldn't be talking about our subjective

> experiences because of their existance. It would have to be a

> coincidence that we actually experienced what our behaviour claimed we

> did, which isn't plausible.

 

Good thing there is chemistry.

Good thing having it's behavior explained with an assumption does not

mean the assumption was valid.

 

Good thing most of those sentences you probably parroted don't have any real

relation to each other.

 

We know with absolute certainty that in any situation to date if we

stimulate, injure, or remove certain parts of the brain the results are a

change in consciousness.

If, as you imply consciousness is not a function of biology, why does it

change?

Can it only exist in certain areas?

If yes, if the person has those parts removed are they no longer human?

Guest Ron Baker,    Pluralitas!
Posted

<ttamborselli@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:1180920860.275494.189490@n15g2000prd.googlegroups.com...

> On Jun 3, 4:46 pm, someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>> On 3 Jun, 22:56, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>>

>>

 

<snip>

> So, "if a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a

> half, then a cat is like a sidewalk because neither can play the

> piano."

 

You've captured the essence of 'someone's logic right there.

 

--

rb #2187

Guest Ron Baker,    Pluralitas!
Posted

"Denis Loubet" <dloubet@io.com> wrote in message

news:caKdnQ13yd3Fz_7bnZ2dnUVZ_vGinZ2d@io.com...

>

> "someone3" <glenn.spigel3@btinternet.com> wrote in message

 

<snip>

>

> I did not say you couldn't explain the behaviour of the mechanism simply

> in terms of the physical mechanism following the laws of physics, with the

> assumption that there were no subjective experiences, and I defy you to

> point out where I did.

 

I don't think what you actually say matters to 'someone'.

 

--

rb

Guest Jeckyl
Posted

"Ron Baker, Pluralitas!" <this@aint.me> wrote in message

news:466385b7$0$16582$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>

> <ttamborselli@gmail.com> wrote in message

> news:1180920860.275494.189490@n15g2000prd.googlegroups.com...

>> On Jun 3, 4:46 pm, someone3 <glenn.spig...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>>> On 3 Jun, 22:56, ttamborse...@gmail.com wrote:

>>>

>>>

>

> <snip>

>

>> So, "if a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a

>> half, then a cat is like a sidewalk because neither can play the

>> piano."

>

> You've captured the essence of 'someone's logic right there.

 

But is the chicken conscious of its subjective experiences. And does

playing the piano follow the laws of physics. Do you accept this?

Guest Jeckyl
Posted

"someone3" <glenn.spigel3@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:1180902182.850727.298220@q66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> You state that you believe the following to be untrue:

> ------------

> Do you understand that any mechanism that followed the known laws of

> physics could be explained simply in terms of the physical mechanism

> following the known laws of physics with the assumption that the

> mechanism had no subjective experiences?

> ------------

> Could you explain why a mechanism following the known laws of physics

> couldn't be explained in terms of the physical mechanism following the

> known laws of physics?

 

That's not what you said above

> Or is it that you think there is a reason that you would be unable to

> do so with the assumption that the mechanism had no subjective

> experiences? If so, please explain why I couldn't explain its

> behaviour in in terms of the physical mechanism following the known

> laws of physics (which don't reference any subjective experiences the

> physical might or might not be having), with the assumption that it

> didn't have any subjective experiences.

 

Because you cannot assume that the subjective experiences are not part of

the process .. so if you assume there are no such experiences, then you are

not considering all the variables. Can you not understand that?

Guest Jeckyl
Posted

"someone3" <glenn.spigel3@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:1180907578.054811.105110@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> Could you explain why a mechanism following the known laws of physics

> couldn't be explained in terms of the physical mechanism following the

> known laws of physics?

 

Because the known laws of physics are not complete.

> Or is it that you think there is a reason that you would be unable to

> do so with the assumption that the mechanism had no subjective

> experiences? If so, please explain why I couldn't explain its

> behaviour in in terms of the physical mechanism following the known

> laws of physics (which don't reference any subjective experiences the

> physical might or might not be having), with the assumption that it

> didn't have any subjective experiences.

 

Because the subjective experiences are part of the mechanism

Guest Jeckyl
Posted

"someone2" <glenn.spigel2@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:1180915474.938770.133760@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...

> Any mechanism which simply

 

"simply"? Do you mean by that without any conscious interference or

control? In which case you've got a circular arguement here.

> followed the known laws of physics,

 

The so-called "laws" of physics and models and exaplanations. They do not

govern how reality works, nor are they complete. A mechanism could be

behaving 'naturally' and be following 'laws' which we do not know.

 

But if you limit the actions you are considering to only be those that are

well-modelled by the know laws, then that would be necessity exclude

conscious behaviour.

> could

> have its behaviour explained with the assumption that it wasn't

> conscious (had no subjective experiences).

 

So if the behaviour is soley that as modelled by the currently known 'laws'

of physics (which excludes a model for consciousness or any behaviour for

which we do not as yet have good models) then consciousness is not involved

and so its behaviour can be explained without it. That's simply a tautology

that says nothing.

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