Consciousness

[caraig]

There's an "article" on Slashdot that talks about a guy who claims that by 2050 the rich will be able to "download" or copy their brains into computers and effectively live forever; the technology to do this for the rest of us slobs will be in 2070-2080. At least as he claims. Naturally this sort of discussion triggered commentary regarding the human soul.

One thing that irked me was something to the effect of this:

I'd like to think I'm more than just the patterns in my brain.

Yeah, I agree! Darned science, getting in the way of my delusions!

Okay, have I missed something, or is this sort of thing fashionable now? I realize that spirituality of all sorts has a kind of bad rap right now. I'm not exactly happy with how things in Kansas are shaping up and I feel kind of queasy when religion is used as an excuse/reason to hurt people. But I still believe that there are matters of belief, faith, and metaphysics that we haven't solved yet, that there are things that can't be measured by physical instruments and that are 'beyond science,' so to speak. That's why I use the phrase 'metaphysics' so much.

Look, my beliefs are my own. I don't force them on anyone. I reserve the right to alter these beliefs based on evidence, experience, and revelation such as might happen. I believe that there's more to life and consciousness than just these jars of clay, these biological machines as incredibly complex and magnificent and flawed as they are. There are just some philosophical questions science just can't and shouldn't try to answer. So there's no cognitive dissonance here, to me anyway.

That being said it bothers the hell out me that I'm now seeing slavering zealots on both sides of the debate. I mean, what the hell? I'm labeled as a heathen materialist by one side; and a delusional spiritualist by the other? Bite me. Just, bite me, both sides. Sigh. Why do I get myself worked up about the stupidest things? Is it even bloody well possible to remain tolerant in the face of intolerance? Meh. Hate my life.

Anyway, going up to Main for a few days starting Wednesday. Bloody long trip, about 10 hours, but, ehn. More later if anything comes up. Pax.

Comments

[caraig.livejournal.com]

I think I was far too tired when I wrote that. -.- Though I'll try to explain what I meant.

I guess I was a little too overarching in what I was trying to say. The scientific method has stood us in good stead for many centuries and, heck, there's nothing that says it should NOT be applied to anything we encounter. And I would say careful reflection, consideration and debate should be given to any information acquired in whatever means -- either through the results of a particle collider or through a burning bush! ^^

But I think what I was trying to say was that there are going to be some cases where the scientific method isn't going to work. For example: 'Why did the universe come to be?' Well, there's no real scientific way to answer that question. So the answer would be, 'That's beyond what we can determine with science. As far as my personal belief, though....' It's when the answer becomes 'Why? There IS no reason for that answer or even that question, you delusional shamanistic dolt!' that it starts to irk me. And, yes, I've seen that answer given, or something like it.

[collie13.livejournal.com]

Hmm... considering a major part of scientific discovery is learning what the next batch of questions we should be asking is, and new methodologies to do so, I would modify as follows: "there's no real scientific way to answer that question SO FAR."

What do you think -- yes/no?

[caraig.livejournal.com]

Oops, didn't notice this reply until just today, sorry!!

That would make sense, yes. Sorry I was so confusing!

[collie13.livejournal.com]

No worries -- it's not like I never fall behind on my responses to folks! ;)