What does it mean to be a human person? In the beginning of learning about philosophy I stumbled across finding a way to answer what it means to be a human person. When thinking about what it means to be a human person, my first initial thought was to cherish our lives with those who care for us. We may not know how long our time will be on Earth but through experience we can still overcome this downfall. Every individual is trying to work towards a career to enjoy their lives in order to accomplish their goal before dying. Having a positive mindset could set us at an advantage allowing us to take care of our bodies. Our bodies rely on our mind in order to make decisions and survive in this world. Each individuals thought process and memory
…show more content…
A human person could be determined based on either the mind or the body. When researching, philosophers such as Descartes, Hinrichs, and Searle we are shown the true meaning of what it means to be a human person. Descartes theory is that the mind and body are two separate entities, the mind could be without the body. He believes the mind and body can interact with each other, even though one is a mental substance and the other is a physical substance. Descartes tries to prove that physical objects exist outside the mind, he attempts this by using the doubt method. He discovers that he cannot doubt that he exist as a thinking thing because as long as he is thinking when he tries to doubt his existence, he actually just proves that he existed. Descartes not only establishes a mind-body dualism but he also supports the theory of interactionism. One can often examine the difference between what it means to be a human person and what it’s like. A human person could be proven by testing their physical traits compared to another human beings. Being able to distinguish between what is real or doubted, could be determined through the use of their …show more content…
Hinrichs argues that the brain, which created the mind, is a computing machine. The brain is not like a computer, it simply is a computational device, but it is a different type of computer. Hinrichs provides a valid point, a brain, or a particular subdivision of the brain, is able to create an awareness of its own states or functions. This proves that our minds may act like a type of computer but it takes part in a kind of self- monitoring, allowing the brain to create a window into certain aspects of its own functioning. Then there’s Searle, who argues that machines cannot think instead he believes the brain is biological. Based on the Chinese room argument, computers will never be able to produce consciousness no matter how complex they become. This makes the human brain unlike a computer because the brain can cause consciousness. Searle’s overall argument shows the difference between syntax (a set of rules for their arrangement) and semantics (a meaning of the word or a sentence). Computers aren’t able to show consciousness, they can duplicate intelligence but not stimulate it. For example, through the use of Turing test one is allowed to witness whether or not a computer is capable of thinking like a
A human person could be determined based on either the mind or the body. When researching, philosophers such as Descartes, Hinrichs, and Searle we are shown the true meaning of what it means to be a human person. Descartes theory is that the mind and body are two separate entities, the mind could be without the body. He believes the mind and body can interact with each other, even though one is a mental substance and the other is a physical substance. Descartes tries to prove that physical objects exist outside the mind, he attempts this by using the doubt method. He discovers that he cannot doubt that he exist as a thinking thing because as long as he is thinking when he tries to doubt his existence, he actually just proves that he existed. Descartes not only establishes a mind-body dualism but he also supports the theory of interactionism. One can often examine the difference between what it means to be a human person and what it’s like. A human person could be proven by testing their physical traits compared to another human beings. Being able to distinguish between what is real or doubted, could be determined through the use of their …show more content…
Hinrichs argues that the brain, which created the mind, is a computing machine. The brain is not like a computer, it simply is a computational device, but it is a different type of computer. Hinrichs provides a valid point, a brain, or a particular subdivision of the brain, is able to create an awareness of its own states or functions. This proves that our minds may act like a type of computer but it takes part in a kind of self- monitoring, allowing the brain to create a window into certain aspects of its own functioning. Then there’s Searle, who argues that machines cannot think instead he believes the brain is biological. Based on the Chinese room argument, computers will never be able to produce consciousness no matter how complex they become. This makes the human brain unlike a computer because the brain can cause consciousness. Searle’s overall argument shows the difference between syntax (a set of rules for their arrangement) and semantics (a meaning of the word or a sentence). Computers aren’t able to show consciousness, they can duplicate intelligence but not stimulate it. For example, through the use of Turing test one is allowed to witness whether or not a computer is capable of thinking like a