Post by yenchihlee on Mar 21, 2016 5:45:49 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness suggests that human brains may envision things based on past experiences. For instance, when driving, the driver would stop automatically when seeing a car in front of his vehicle has stopped because he has simulated in his mind virtually what would have happened if he didn’t stop. Neuroscience has established that the brain is a simulator based on what we see, hear, touch, and smell through the processing of our central nervous system in responding to the external and internal stimuli. A virtual environment can be therefore constructed and we will react inside just as we would be at outside (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.106). One important constraint is that even though our brain may simulate anything when necessary information are given, it is “invariably bounded by what it believes to be possible” at that particular time and space (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.119). In other words, what we can simulate at young ages in our home towns may be dramatically different from what we simulate at older ages in the places far away from home.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our consciousness is a wonderful virtual simulator. For instance, in a strong dream, we may dream ourselves in various situations and be tricked to believe in. Fortunately, once waking up, we can soon realize that it was a dream and it was mostly stimulated by what we have experienced in day time (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.74). Our consciousness has “an inherent tendency to believe its own machinations as exterior to itself.” (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.75) Even though consciousness may trick us but it also “provides a tremendous advantage to live within our heads before acting out.” (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.142) For instance, in a chess game, the player would imagine what the opponent would react to his moves and take necessary precautions before finalizing his move. Faqir Chand, an example given by Diem-Lane & Lane (2014, p. 107-108), had experienced religious visions which could had rested in the nature of consciousness itself and saved his and his comrades’ lives in a fight during World War One. Based on the theory of evolution, deception by our consciousness for believing in what was virtually simulated in our brains is “an intrinsic and necessary feature of human existence” (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.98) in the process of natural selection.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness suggests that human brains may envision things based on past experiences. For instance, when driving, the driver would stop automatically when seeing a car in front of his vehicle has stopped because he has simulated in his mind virtually what would have happened if he didn’t stop. Neuroscience has established that the brain is a simulator based on what we see, hear, touch, and smell through the processing of our central nervous system in responding to the external and internal stimuli. A virtual environment can be therefore constructed and we will react inside just as we would be at outside (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.106). One important constraint is that even though our brain may simulate anything when necessary information are given, it is “invariably bounded by what it believes to be possible” at that particular time and space (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.119). In other words, what we can simulate at young ages in our home towns may be dramatically different from what we simulate at older ages in the places far away from home.
Reference
Diem-Lane, A. & D. C. Lane (2014) Is the universe an app? MSAC Philosophy Group. 159 pages. 2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our consciousness is a wonderful virtual simulator. For instance, in a strong dream, we may dream ourselves in various situations and be tricked to believe in. Fortunately, once waking up, we can soon realize that it was a dream and it was mostly stimulated by what we have experienced in day time (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.74). Our consciousness has “an inherent tendency to believe its own machinations as exterior to itself.” (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.75) Even though consciousness may trick us but it also “provides a tremendous advantage to live within our heads before acting out.” (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.142) For instance, in a chess game, the player would imagine what the opponent would react to his moves and take necessary precautions before finalizing his move. Faqir Chand, an example given by Diem-Lane & Lane (2014, p. 107-108), had experienced religious visions which could had rested in the nature of consciousness itself and saved his and his comrades’ lives in a fight during World War One. Based on the theory of evolution, deception by our consciousness for believing in what was virtually simulated in our brains is “an intrinsic and necessary feature of human existence” (Diem-Lane and Lane, 2014, p.98) in the process of natural selection.
Reference
Diem-Lane, A. & D. C. Lane (2014) Is the universe an app? MSAC Philosophy Group. 159 pages.