Consciousness

To answer this question I will fist give an explanation of what functionalism is and its relation to dualism, materialism and mind-brain identity theory. From here I will outline the two key objections it faces namely the extra-cranial objection or china brain thought experiment and the qualia objection. I will state and explain why the qualia objection is the most serious of the two and why functionalism at present can not fully overcome it but in doing so I will address the replies…

The human mind has proliferated much polemic discussions questioning the origin of mankind’s knowledge. Rationalism proponents, who claim that the mind developed based on reason, rebutted the theory that the mind developed based on experiences. Other proponents, the advocators of empiricism, believed that human knowledge derived from sensory experiences. In addition, empiricist philosophers adamantly supported the tabula rasa, preaching how humans were born with a clear mind where experiences…

A Swinger of Birches Hardened by the daily toils and responsibilities, the soft innocence of youth is easily forgotten with age. Walking through the woods in solitude, a man lets his busy mind wander for a moment. With the sight of trees swaying in the wind, his mind understands that the heavy ice and snow is what bends the thin trees. But his heart wonders if it was a boy’s doing – climbing to the top of the trees just to bend them enough so he can let go and fall safely to the ground – that…

Zoa Phillips Media, Education and Propaganda Fundamentals of Social Psyx Even though the world around us is amazingly tremendous when it comes to knowledge and news, we need to be wary to the media’s intent on giving us news or information about the world. Although it is much needed (in my opinion) we do need to take some caution when viewing it. I have a friend who stays home all day watching CNN. He is deeply depressed and is living in fear, which can change from day to day, depending on…

After every death of a caterpillar, there is a birth of a butterfly. But have you ever considered how caterpillars are aware of their nearing death, yet they accept their fate and live within the butterfly with an alternative perspective and values, isn’t that what you call ‘discovery’? Discoveries can be confronting and thus lead an individual to form a new perception of themselves, hence is able to guide another individual to the right path. This aspect of the ‘discovery’ is explored trough…

Creativity has become an important skill for individuals in the complex society today (Ritter & Dijksterhuis, 2014). Runco (2004) states that creativity is associated with problem solving as it usually involves the construction of new or original thoughts thus contributing to advancement in society. Historically, creativity has been an interesting topic to many individuals. In particular, Wallas (1926 as cited in Gilhooly, Georgiou & Devery, 2013) in his four stage process of creative thinking,…

In “Can Computers Think?” John Searle claims that by definition, computers cannot think, nor will they ever, no matter how much technology manages to advance in the future. Searle defends his claim by providing an outline and an interesting thought experiment. His work begins by simply introducing the prevailing views concerning artificial intelligence during the time period. Many individuals thought of human brains and digital computers as analogous due to something known as the Turing Test.…

Our minds are a vast network of unfiltered neural process that control our train of thought and actions. So far beyond our control, are these thoughts that they sometimes feel foreign and out of synch? The emotions that we feel are the by-products of these thoughts, through which we connect with the world and all its misfortunes. Anger and hate are two such emotions, anger is an intense emotional response that involves a strong and hostile response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat.…

The complexity of the human psyche fascinates many psychoanalysts, including Sigmund Freud. He developed one theory about the human psyche and divided it into three parts: the id, superego, and ego. "According to Freud's model of the psyche, the id is the primitive and instinctual part of the mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives and hidden memories, the super-ego operates as a moral conscience, and the ego is the realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the…

The id, ego, and superego are components of the psychic apparatus described in Freud’s novel, “An Outline of Psycho-Analysis”. Freud observed and analyzed these three theoretical constructs which outline the interaction of our mental life to explain the reasons behind one’s behaviors. The id, ego, and super-ego have a complex relationship that considers circumstances and needs of the body to behave in a certain manner. Each component has a specific function in the psyche. The id mainly concerns…