Eastern philosophy says the self is an illusion

[BidenPresident]

Science has nothing to say about what human action is. Odd that some still hold onto that myth.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Science has nothing to say about what human action is. Odd that some still hold onto that myth.

Actually it does. The advent of fMRI in the 90's opened entire new doorways to understanding intent, agency and the self. Granted it's still "through a glass darkly" seen, but more information is coming to the fore.

 

[BidenPresident]

Actually it does. The advent of fMRI in the 90's opened entire new doorways to understanding intent, agency and the self. Granted it's still "through a glass darkly" seen, but more information is coming to the fore.

What does science say about whether to marry a particular person?

 

[Saint Guinefort]

What does science say about whether to marry a particular person?

I don't know. But it doesn't change the fact that science is gaining insight into how thoughts and actions are formulated in the brain.

 

[BidenPresident]

I don't know. But it doesn't change the fact that science is gaining insight into how thoughts and actions are formulated in the brain.

So, decisions most people consider to be very important leaves us with nothing useful from science.

 

[ZenMode]

Why does the brain desire water?

It doesn't, but I suspect it is aware when your body needs water and sends a thought to consciousness to seek water.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

So, decisions most people consider to be very important leaves us with nothing useful from science.

This is new science. Still in its infancy but showing significant promise. Even if it can't yet answer a random arbitrary question.

 

[BidenPresident]

It doesn't, but I suspect it is aware when your body needs water and sends a thought to consciousness to seek water.

So, the body is important. Took you months to admit that.

 

[BidenPresident]

This is new science. Still in its infancy but showing significant promise. Even if it can't yet answer a random arbitrary question.

Not random or arbitrary. I see, like Doc, after 3 posts you result to insults.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Not random or arbitrary. I see, like Doc, after 3 posts you result to insults.

Why do you think it was insulting to suggest that a question about "marriage" was a somewhat random and arbitrary question?

It wasn't intended as an insult.

But more to the point: when revolutions in science start they almost NEVER start with the ability to explain every single thing anyone can imagine. The fact that I can't provide any answer to your "marriage question" doesn't mean the science has failed. It simply means that the science is working toward that.

 

[BidenPresident]

Why do you think it was insulting to suggest that a question about "marriage" was a somewhat random and arbitrary question?

It wasn't intended as an insult.

But more to the point: when revolutions in science start they almost NEVER start with the ability to explain every single thing anyone can imagine. The fact that I can't provide any answer to your "marriage question" doesn't mean the science has failed. It simply means that the science is working toward that.

uh huh

 

[Cypress]

Science has nothing to say about what human action is. Odd that some still hold onto that myth.

Scientism: the belief that only scientific knowledge is real knowledge.


I don't buy it for a second. As powerful as science is as a tool of inquiry, science knows a lot less than laypersons assume.

Free will and freedom to make choices are probably not ripe for any definitive scientific answers.

 

[BidenPresident]

Scientism: the belief that only scientific knowledge is real knowledge.


I don't buy it for a second. As powerful as science is as a tool of inquiry, science knows a lot less than laypersons assume.

Free will and freedom to make choices are probably not ripe for any definitive scientific answers.

Oldest trick in the book. Science has no answer today but will some time. Okay, then make that argument when it does.

Decisions about whether to get married or not are not random questions. Most people consider it profoundly more important than describing bosons.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

uh huh

I value your engagement on the topic. Thanks.

 

[BidenPresident]

I value your engagement on the topic. Thanks.

Some day science will explain why you believe that.

By the way, positivists in philosophy, following Hume, said value cannot be derived from facts.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

Not random or arbitrary. I see, like Doc, after 3 posts you result to insults.

^^^
Ms. BP is my personal stalker.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Scientism: the belief that only scientific knowledge is real knowledge.

Apart from direct observation or measurement, what other types of knowledge do you normally use to make decisions?

Free will and freedom to make choices are probably not ripe for any definitive scientific answers.

Agreed. I think we can easily function as if free will were real, whether it is or isn't. But when I see science finding evidence that it may not be what we think it is, I am fascinated and try to make sense of it rather than simply ignoring it because it feels wrong.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Some day science will explain why you believe that.

It already does quite handily. It shows me that when I collect data I can draw reasonable inferences which I then verify at a later time. That has happened here many times over. Science does a great job.

 

[BidenPresident]

It already does quite handily. It shows me that when I collect data I can draw reasonable inferences which I then verify at a later time. That has happened here many times over. Science does a great job.

Why did you assign value? Your comment: "I value your engagement on the topic."

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Why did you assign value?

Because it has demonstrated value.