The Red Spill And The Blue Pill By Nagel

Nagel brings up fascinating questions in his book, “What does it all mean?” Do we live in the real world? Is the real world only as real as we perceive it to be? What is the meaning of life? First, we will explore our perceptions of the ‘real’ world and try to answer if that world is truly there or in our minds. Secondly, let’s say the world is real and everyone else in it, when we think about the question of the mind and the brain; did we have that thought in our brain? Or was it in our souls? Finally, we look at the most important question, what is the meaning of it all? His book is an invitation to explore the unknown, and in doing so, to arouse our curiosity and attempt to find the answers ourselves. The Red Pill or the Blue Pill?
Is this …show more content…
I personally am a dualist, however the dual aspect theory is appealing to me. Its similar in the way Nagel describes them both, though he explicitly explains dual aspect theory as it taking place in the mind only. Dualism does not very much explain if our souls are in our bodies. I suppose you could assume it is since we (or perhaps just I) feel our ‘thoughts’ are originating in our
‘minds’ or bodies.
Physicalism says that ones mind or consciousness is no different from the physical system of the brain. Nagel explains, what limits us are our inability to understand what functions in the brain create the mind or consciousness. …show more content…
So, what happens when one of the five senses are removed from a human being? The only conclusion is the electrochemical
‘map’ of our brain is forever altered in a way that leaves something lacking.
Now, let’s take it further and remove one, two, three, and the last remaining sense. This brain should no longer be receiving any physical stimuli, however, the thought, “I exist” comes ‘through’. This thought of continued existence came even though that brain is stripped of any senses to interpret the external world. It is in a void, dark, abyss. Since this hypothetical human has no way of knowing what is happening around them, how then does it know they exist? The brain has nothing to interpret. It can only be concluded then that the mind is not apart of the physical systems or functions of the brain, but is in many ways disconnected from it. We can then see the possibility of dualism and the dual aspect theory. But, even as the thought, “I exist” crosses the mind,
Nagel’s next question has us wonder, does our existence matter?
Live Long and Prosper, But to What