Post by Tiffanie Huynh on Jul 21, 2016 7:12:17 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is a recent method of regarding consciousness. Human consciousness can be comparable to a virtual simulator because there exists both "a situation within our consciousness and acting accordingly" (p. 85). There is a relationship between one's internal brain state and the external, objective reality. In the text, Lane shows that "Neuroscience has more or less established that the brain is a simulator" and our five senses (see, smell, touch, hear, feel) are the results of how our body processes external and internal stimuli before reconstructing a virtual environment in which we are free agents. It gets even more complex than the mere five senses because our brain is made up of neural networks that all work together to create the virtual simulation of consciousness. The reality we see around is a virtual simulation of what we believe and are biased to believe to exist outside of ourself (p. 106).
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival? Be sure to support your answers with references to the required readings and films.
The brain tricks us by integrating our internal biases with external stimuli. It "fills in the gaps," so to speak, to create the environment we see around us. In the video, "A Glorious Piece of Meat," neural reflections are mentioned to trick our brain into thinking we have more control in our narrative than we think. In the text, "Is the Universe an App?," our brain tricking us is a benefit for our genetic survival because it allows for us to imagine varying options to either approach a problem or discard as unworthy of engagement. It helps animals create a scene in their mind, connect it to past scenes, and act accordingly. It also helped animals to distinguish between reality and deception in order to successfully evolve more successful genetics.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is a recent method of regarding consciousness. Human consciousness can be comparable to a virtual simulator because there exists both "a situation within our consciousness and acting accordingly" (p. 85). There is a relationship between one's internal brain state and the external, objective reality. In the text, Lane shows that "Neuroscience has more or less established that the brain is a simulator" and our five senses (see, smell, touch, hear, feel) are the results of how our body processes external and internal stimuli before reconstructing a virtual environment in which we are free agents. It gets even more complex than the mere five senses because our brain is made up of neural networks that all work together to create the virtual simulation of consciousness. The reality we see around is a virtual simulation of what we believe and are biased to believe to exist outside of ourself (p. 106).
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival? Be sure to support your answers with references to the required readings and films.
The brain tricks us by integrating our internal biases with external stimuli. It "fills in the gaps," so to speak, to create the environment we see around us. In the video, "A Glorious Piece of Meat," neural reflections are mentioned to trick our brain into thinking we have more control in our narrative than we think. In the text, "Is the Universe an App?," our brain tricking us is a benefit for our genetic survival because it allows for us to imagine varying options to either approach a problem or discard as unworthy of engagement. It helps animals create a scene in their mind, connect it to past scenes, and act accordingly. It also helped animals to distinguish between reality and deception in order to successfully evolve more successful genetics.
