RE: On naturalism and consciousness
September 14, 2014 at 4:24 pm
(This post was last modified: September 14, 2014 at 4:41 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
(September 14, 2014 at 3:47 pm)Surgenator Wrote: Also, long term sensory deprivation causes hallucinations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_deprivationWhatever the sensory apparatus may be observing is secondary to what the system assumes in order to do work. This is a CTM explanation, obviously. In the absence of (or even in the presence of) observational input, the system is capable -of- (and has an impetus -to-) "create" external "observations". There is no such thing as a "no state" computation. A state must be supplied or assumed for the system to do work. The blind, for example......are still capable of visualization (presuming they were not born blind). There is no sensory input from the relevant apparatus, only the assumption in order to do work. IIRC those born blind lack any analog for this experience. They are incapable of the assumption as it is not part (nor has it ever been) of their computational system. "Non-visual imagery" being their lot. They still make assumptions and create spatial "maps", but the contents of their experience is directly tied to their hardware (malfunctioning, in this case) and doesn't include sight.
More than one way to skin a cat, or input. Frankly, with just what we -do- know about qualia and how it can be manipulated it's beyond me to understand why anyone wonders whether or not mind and brain are interchangeable. Damaged brains lead to damaged minds - and they lead to damaged minds along the exact lines that the brain is damaged. Those born blind have absolutely no qualia related to sight, while those that become blind later in life can and do. The experience doesn't seem to be- related- to the apparatus...but entirely reliant upon it - and comprised of it. No apparatus, no qualia.
I did some sensory dep once as part of a training exercise, fucking horrifying (it's a common interrogation method).
I wonder if they've ever done sensory dep studies on those born blind? Do they have auditory and tactile hallucinations (sans visual)? LOL, I wouldn;t want to be the guy that administered that experiment, though, to be honest. LOL, depriving the blind of their remaining sensory input even for a moment - as someone who enjoys sight to begin with- sounds like torture. "So, Joe, I know the world is already a little dark for you - but I'm about to make it go pitch black - how does that sound?"
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
