A discussion of the rights of sentient entities. Drawing inspiration from quantum complementarity, defends a complementary notion of ontological dualism, countering zombie hypotheses. Sans zombie concerns, ethical discussions should therefore focus on assessing consciousness purely in terms of the physical-functional properties of any putatively conscious entity.
The question of consciousness has been examined by philosophers and theologians for millennia;
for the longest time, debating the nature of consciousness was the exclusive purview of philosophers. But recently a shift has taken place: scientists are getting into the game.
Understandably, if science is to be at the cutting edge, it has to be about questions that no one is
willing to ask. Has the nature of consciousness finally shifted from a philosophical question to a
scientific one that can be solved by doing experiments?
This presentation explores the eternal mystery of consciousness and soul with reference to
various scientific disciplines like molecular biology, chemistry, neurobiology, quantum
physics, and artificial intelligence. It examines whether consciousness is binary or on a
gradation scale, and to what degree one becomes conscious. It explores materialism
theory and its limitations, as well as Donald Hoffman’s paper suggesting that we may be
thinking about it backward—that consciousness is fundamental to the universe and gives rise to the physical world and not the other way around. It examines the promises and limitations of panpsychism, a set of theories that believe that consciousness is an intrinsic property of all matter and experiments on plant consciousness. As we attempt to
answer the second most important unanswered question of science, can we also answer
the first most important question that science has yet to answer?
The purpose of this presentation is to challenge and shake up our intuitions about consciousness and to explore the subject by questioning, observing, and wondering, and NOT concluding.
A power point by Dr. John Beggs, professor at Indiana University for 2010 ICEC on his research in neuroscience and the philosophical and theological questions of the existence of the human soul.
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
2. Neuroscience and Philosophy
Recent Developments in Neuroscience
• Focus on issues, relevant for human self-image
Consciousness, self-consciousness, free will
• Solution of old philosophical problems?
Free will, self-consciousness as illusions
2
3. Neuroscience and Philosophy
Philosophical issues
• Historical background
• Conceptual questions, criteria
What do we mean if we talk about
consciousness, intelligence, freedom?
• Ethical issues
Criminal law, responsibility in everyday situations
3
11. Mind & Soul
Soul (anima, psyche, pneuma, flatus, spiritus atman)
• Substance
• Divine creation
• Multitude of functions (cognitive, vital, volitional)
Mind (mens)
• Replaces „soul“ already in Descartes
• Not necessarily substance
• Focus on cognitive abilities
• Vital functions excluded („vital force“)
11
12. Consciousness
Consciousness as a property
• Property of a person, a persons mental states
No non-circular definition
• No general category, nothing similar or different that can
be captured without reference to consciousness
• One’s own experience required for understanding
Distinctive feature
• Privileged first-person access
Relation to physical processes open
• May be realized by brain processes
12
13. Consciousness and the Brain
Identity claims sensible?
•
“Identity of an object with itself trivial,
identity with another object false”
Roughly speaking, to say of two things that they are identical is
nonsense, and to say of one thing that it is identical with itself is
to say nothing at all. Wittgenstein, Tractatus 5.5303
13
L. Wittgenstein
1889-1951
14. Consciousness and the Brain
Identity claim sensible:
• One object, different perspectives
Billy the Kid
• Identical with William H. Bonney jr.?
• Or with Ollie L. Roberts, called Brushy Bill?
14
William H. Bonney jr.
Billy the Kid
Ollie L. Roberts
15. Consciousness and the Brain
Beliefs, desires, reasons, feelings
• “No natural properties”
There is an unexplained gap between the
category of physical phenomena, and the
B. Libet
category of subjective phenomena. .. If you
looked into the brain with a full knowledge of its physical makeup and
nerve cell activities, you would see nothing that described subjective
experience. You would only see cellular structures, their
interconnections, and the production of nerve impulses.
Libet, Mind Time, 153
•
Relation between mind and brain mysterious
16. Does it make sense?
Argument
• No consciousness detectable in the
brain
• Consciousness not a natural entity
Computer
• “No stored texts, pictures, sounds
detectable on a hard drive”
• “Stored texts, pictures, sounds no
natural entities”
Makes no sense!
17. How to make sense
Two levels of description
Output level
• Texts, pictures, sounds
Hardware level
• Patterns of magnetic activity
Two descriptions of one entity
Understanding requires
• Precise description of explanandum
Texts vs. pictures, different characters, colors
• Understanding the electrical code
Binary code, ASCII , compression algorithms, etc.
18. Resolving the Dilemma
Two levels of description
First person perspective
• Beliefs, desires, reasons, feelings
Third person perspective
• Neural activities
• Activation states of neural assemblies
Two descriptions of one process
19. Resolving the Dilemma
Understanding requires
• Understanding the neural code
• Precise description of correlating
mental states and brain states
• Connecting 1st and 3rd person
perspective
Enables the use of brain science to explain
1st person experience
21. Free Will
Freedom and determinism
• Freedom requires non-determined action
„The idea of human free will is incompatible, in
principle, with scientific considerations. Scientific
research is based on the assumption that everything
that happens has a cause, and that it is possible to
find this cause. I cannot understand why an empirical
scientist can believe that free
and, therefore, undetermined action is conceivable.“
Wolfgang Prinz
Dilemma
Non-determined action but naturalism is wrong
Naturalism is right, but no non-determined action
Wolfgang
Prinz
22. Intuitions
Distinction from compulsion
• Actions performed under compulsion not free
• “Principle of Autonomy”
Distinction from chance
• Random Events not free
• “Principle of Authorship” - ascription to agent
• Necessary for responsibility
22
23. Self-Determination
Distinction from external determination:
• Principle of autonomy met
Determination by agent:
• Principle of authorship met
Example:
• Agent’s believes that stealing is reprehensible
• Agent’s belief makes it intelligible that they paid
23
25. Self-Determination
Action self-determined if…
•
… determined by features constituting agent themselves
•
… personal preferences explain that x and not y was performed
Physical realization of personal preferences
•
Enables self-determination
Determination by agent’s preferences
•
Robust connection between preferences and action
•
Indetermination may interfere with agent’s preferences
Decisive
•
Not whether - how action is determined
•
Determination by self: self-determination
25
26. Waiving Determination
Before birth
• No change – agent cannot take advantage of additional
freedom
Before the beginning of the decision process
• Before: p believes that theft is reprehensible
• Afterwards: p accepts theft (as a matter of fact)
• p without control over change of their own preferences
During the process of decision making
• Process of decision making disrupted
– rational decision impossible
26
27. Freedom and Determination
No “enhancement” of freedom
Decisive:
• Not whether but how an action is determined
• Neurally realized act of will may be self-determined
Freedom, determination compatible
27
