Sound Science Corner Pub

[BS5711]

No.

Consciousness is simply an illusion created by the brain - in order to function and survive we need to react to and memorise certain stimuli, and apparent "consciousness" is simply the way of doing that. Also emotion is to simply encourage us into doing what is required for overall survival - fall in love and procreate for example. Or lay down your life to protect your kids as the kids will be the next reproducing generation.

We are machines whichever way you look at it. We simply have programmed behaviours that have evolved to enable us to continue to survive. That's it

Kinda sobering but nevertheless true.

 

[JamoBroGuy]

Kinda sobering but nevertheless true.

I wish it wasn’t. Never did I think I’d learn that consciousness isn’t “real”.
I came here to talk about audio, not to wonder if I’m a living thing or a mere machine.

 

[2leftears]

 

[BS5711]

I wish it wasn’t. Never did I think I’d learn that consciousness isn’t “real”.
I came here to talk about audio, not to wonder if I’m a living thing or a mere machine.

I think that is very much one area where we are well advised to bury our heads in the sand, reject reality and just enjoy the subjective experience !!

 

[JamoBroGuy]

I think that is very much one area where we are well advised to bury our heads in the sand, reject reality and just enjoy the subjective experience !!

For sure. You’ll be a mindless husk if you don’t.

 

[bigshot]

Whoever programmed my behaviors had a sense of humor.

 

[Ryokan]

I've often thought one of the cleverest lived 2500 years ago and came as close to the truth as is possible.

 

[XTF1]

Whoever programmed my behaviors had a sense of humor.

Reminds me these lyrics from Depeche Mode: “I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours, but I think that God's got a sick sense of humour, and when I die, I expect to find him laughing…”

 

[Steve999]

I've often thought one of the cleverest lived 2500 years ago and came as close to the truth as is possible.

Who do you have in mind? There seem to have been at least several well-regarded scholars, thinkers, philosophers, etc., from that time period.

 

[JamoBroGuy]

Whoever programmed my behaviors had a sense of humor.

Whoever programmed mine had no idea what the **** they were doing.

 

[Ryokan]

Who do you have in mind? There seem to have been at least several well-regarded scholars, thinkers, philosophers, etc., from that time period.

I was hoping the years would give him away - Buddha.

Whoever programmed mine had no idea what the **** they were doing.

You were lucky you got some programming , I was left to do mine myself

 

[2leftears]

My programming has a memory leak.

 

[castleofargh]

I was hoping the years would give him away - Buddha.

Yeah, no. From the period alone, I was thinking about people from China or Greece. I was not even close.



About free will, agency, and all that, my first opinion is that it doesn't change anything. Getting a definitive answer would be like knowing exactly how the TV works, it won't make the movie better, and it won't stop us from having feelings about it.
I would bet on determinism for humans, but strangely enough, I wouldn't for the universe(mainly because quantum theory works so well), so I'm basically sure to be wrong about one bet, I know it, and yet I still feel like it's the more likely for both choices. I'm a rebel full of contradictions, but it's not my fault

 

[Steve999]

Yeah, no. From the period alone, I was thinking about people from China or Greece. I was not even close.



About free will, agency, and all that, my first opinion is that it doesn't change anything. Getting a definitive answer would be like knowing exactly how the TV works, it won't make the movie better, and it won't stop us from having feelings about it.
I would bet on determinism for humans, but strangely enough, I wouldn't for the universe(mainly because quantum theory works so well), so I'm basically sure to be wrong about one bet, I know it, and yet I still feel like it's the more likely for both choices. I'm a rebel full of contradictions, but it's not my fault

I think that if you begin to doubt free will, it can affect your moral and motivational compass, perhaps in both good and bad ways, and perhaps increase your compassion, for others and for yourself, since so much of our personal circumstances would seem to be good or bad luck.

I think you can reject determinism and still logically feel compelled to doubt free will.

I have evolved my thinking on these matters enough times that it appears certain I have been wrong most of time.

 

[Ryokan]

It is what it is I guess, no use fretting.

No matter where you go, there you are.