09-9-2007, 07:36 PM | #1 |
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chemical conscience
in the 8th grade i had a chemistry/physical science teacher who told us (the class) about how every thing in the universe was related to chemistry . one of the students in my class, who was quite intelligent and seemingly upset by this, asked if her thoughts and feelings were only chemical reactions in her brain. it seemed to me that the teacher thought this was a silly question. he said of course they are. she asked if there was such a thing as freewill if all her thoughts and feelings were merely chemical reactions. i didnt think much of it (this event) for the past 4 years but the memory of it came back to me and i thought i would share it with you all and get your opinions.
i looked at this a bit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness Last edited by perkeyone; 09-9-2007 at 07:39 PM.. Reason: i love wiki |
09-9-2007, 07:40 PM | #2 |
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Re: chemical conscience
Chemistry and physics can pretty much explain all the physical phenomena observed in the world; however, thought and emotions and how they originate are still highly debated topics. There are things that which science cannot provide answers.
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09-9-2007, 07:45 PM | #3 |
Very Grave Indeed
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Re: chemical conscience
Well, things which science cannot provide answers to that we like the sound of, anyway.
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09-9-2007, 07:52 PM | #4 | |
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Re: chemical conscience
Quote:
she seemed a bit depressed at the thought i however am fascinated by it i would love to know how it all works (the brain/thoughts) although i dont disbelieve (or, with grammar, believe) that thoughts feelings and decisions are chemical, i am unable to comprehend the complexity of it all. i cant imagine a reaction taking place that would drive me to type all this out (for instance). Last edited by perkeyone; 09-9-2007 at 07:57 PM.. |
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09-9-2007, 07:59 PM | #5 |
Very Grave Indeed
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Re: chemical conscience
I like how we're perfectly happy to conclude that -incredibly- complex behaviors in plants and animals are simply the function of biology and chemistry, but as soon as we look at our own complex behaviors, there has to be something extra and special to explain it.
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09-9-2007, 08:03 PM | #6 | |
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Re: chemical conscience
Quote:
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09-9-2007, 08:53 PM | #7 |
Very Grave Indeed
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Re: chemical conscience
It seems no less odd to me than a reaction (or series of reactions) that enables me to run at a dead sprint without falling over.
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09-9-2007, 09:07 PM | #8 |
FFR Player
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Re: chemical conscience
what i mean is that the reaction seems to be self aware in that it causes me to question the existence of it (or itself)
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09-9-2007, 09:26 PM | #9 |
Very Grave Indeed
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Re: chemical conscience
But without introspective access into other minds (which we don't, and theoretically can't ever have) we don't even know what else besides us, let alone what humans besides us are capable of self-reflexive thought in that way.
I mean, reasonable observation and evidence sets the bounds on intelligence and sentience, but we can't actually know with current technology. |
09-9-2007, 10:42 PM | #10 |
Little Chief Hare
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Re: chemical conscience
The mirror test is a pretty reasonable standard.
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