A simple Yes or No question

2012-02-24 07:24:09

#126

eleven bravo: Member; +1,399|5499|foggy bottom

Dilbert_X wrote:
The human ego can't take the concept that it could cease to exist.

We're just a boiological computer with a transport system attached.

Does your PC go into an afterlife when you power it down? Nope.

revolver was such a shit movie

Tu Stultus Es

2012-02-24 08:29:13

#127

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

Dilbert_X wrote:
Superior Mind wrote:
Dilbert_X wrote:
The human ego can't take the concept that it could cease to exist.

We're just a boiological computer with a transport system attached.

Does your PC go into an afterlife when you power it down? Nope.
Your computer is the result of ~50-60 years of technological advancement. You are the result of 4,400,000,000 years of biological evolution.
Off is still off.

Our bodies do function like machines, but the source of our consciousness is the question. Is it simply a result of complex machinery?

x

2012-02-24 08:30:35

#128

jord: Member; +2,382|6918|The North, beyond the wall.

1stSFOD-Delta wrote:
I assume being dead is kind of like before you were conceived. You cease to exist.

I can't wait myself.

2012-02-24 08:33:20

#129

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

Ok so kys

x

2012-02-24 08:40:02

#130

jord: Member; +2,382|6918|The North, beyond the wall.

I wish I could.

2012-02-24 09:22:51

#131

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

What's stopping you?

x

2012-02-24 09:24:17

#132

jord: Member; +2,382|6918|The North, beyond the wall.

The £6k dignitas charges.

2012-02-24 09:26:04

#133

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

The what? Pretty sure you wont need to worry about money once you're dead.

x

2012-02-24 09:29:20

#134

jord: Member; +2,382|6918|The North, beyond the wall.

I imagine they don't offer a payment plan and insist on money up front...

2012-02-24 09:30:58

#135

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

Who?

e: O

Why do you need someone else to kill you? All you have to do is jump off something high-up.

Last edited by Superior Mind (2012-02-24 09:45:17)

x

2012-02-24 11:17:11

#136

M.O.A.B: 'Light 'em up!'; +1,220|6462|Escea

You are simply....

TRANSFORMED!

DEW DEW DEW DE DEW

2012-02-24 11:28:19

#137

jsnipy: ...; +3,277|6762|...

null vote

2012-02-24 15:27:59

#138

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,815|6345|eXtreme to the maX

Superior Mind wrote:
Our bodies do function like machines, but the source of our consciousness is the question. Is it simply a result of complex machinery?

Do you have any evidence that we're not just complex machinery?

Fuck Israel

2012-02-24 15:37:20

#139

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

Consciousness.

We can observe that our mind is a web of neural pathways, but why are we self-aware?

At this point AI only mimics self-awareness through programming. Robots aren't actually self-aware.

And yet, remarkably, the tiniest of organisms share this self-awareness. Perhaps they may not recognize themselves in a mirror, but most organisms probably have no concept of a reflection or even individuality. Yet they live and act in the world by their own means.

Last edited by Superior Mind (2012-02-24 15:53:12)

x

2012-02-24 18:19:33

#140

eusgen: Nugget; +402|7032|Jupiter

I poop therefore I am.

2012-02-24 18:26:49

#141

Spark: liquid fluoride thorium reactor; +874|6914|Canberra, AUS

Superior Mind wrote:
Consciousness.

We can observe that our mind is a web of neural pathways, but why are we self-aware?

At this point AI only mimics self-awareness through programming. Robots aren't actually self-aware.

And yet, remarkably, the tiniest of organisms share this self-awareness. Perhaps they may not recognize themselves in a mirror, but most organisms probably have no concept of a reflection or even individuality. Yet they live and act in the world by their own means.

Cool story but not very accurate.

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
^{~ Richard Feynman}

2012-02-24 18:29:41

#142

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,815|6345|eXtreme to the maX

Superior Mind wrote:
Consciousness.

We can observe that our mind is a web of neural pathways, but why are we self-aware?

At this point AI only mimics self-awareness through programming. Robots aren't actually self-aware.

And yet, remarkably, the tiniest of organisms share this self-awareness. Perhaps they may not recognize themselves in a mirror, but most organisms probably have no concept of a reflection or even individuality. Yet they live and act in the world by their own means.

Self-awareness? Its just slightly more complex code which boils down to 'try not to get injured or die'.

Explain how tiny organisms are 'self-aware' and not just responding to instinct.

Last edited by Dilbert_X (2012-02-24 18:30:39)

Fuck Israel

2012-02-24 18:33:37

#143

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6392|what

Superior Mind wrote:
Dilbert_X wrote:
Superior Mind wrote:

Your computer is the result of ~50-60 years of technological advancement. You are the result of 4,400,000,000 years of biological evolution.
Off is still off.
Our bodies do function like machines, but the source of our consciousness is the question. Is it simply a result of complex machinery?

We could be in the Matrix.

2012-02-24 21:48:56

#144

Spearhead: Gulf coast redneck hippy; +731|6929|Tampa Bay Florida

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_child

Feral children are more or less animals. You can debate philosophy/religion all day long but the only thing we actually know is that language plays a huge role in "consciousness", or "self awareness".

As far as cats and dogs, who are we to state that they are not self aware? They have no way of comprehending language or speaking, but they do communicate. Dolphins, whales, elephants all communicate through complex languages, and even have different dialects.

I think the difference with humans is that we have words for what we assume cover the entire scope of our reality, which is just not true. We are constantly updating/improving the way we communicate and process knowledge. There are incomprehensible mysteries of our universe which we will never be able to comprehend. (Hell, even 60 percent of the USA cannot comprehend evolution). Therefore, we have "God".

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news … phins.html

Dolphins name themselves when their young.

Last edited by Spearhead (2012-02-24 22:21:05)

2012-02-26 06:27:59

#145

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

Who ever said that cats and dogs are not self aware? And yes, some do comprehend our language. We have selectively bred dogs to be intelligent enough to understand human commands to perform complex tasks. Language gives us an ability to understand and describe our world. Feral children have no socialization and therefore don't even know what they are. Wild animals are not the same as feral humans. They are taught certain skills by their kin or rely on a different sensory relationship with the world than we.

Whenever did we assume that we have covered the entire scope of reality? Any non-ignorant being knows their knowledge is vastly limited about the cosmos. (By non-ignorant, I mean well informed thus far in humanity's mass of knowledge)

Perhaps all Earth creatures up until humans have lived in ignorant bliss. Why should we write off our ability to know our universe on a deep level (by the ability to describe it with language) as some false veil? By becoming learned beings we have crossed some evolutionary milestone and are compelled to explore the facets of reality. Dolphins may be as intelligent as us, but unfortunately they are confined to the sea and cannot create tools to further expand their species' knowledge-base on the same level as humans.

AussieReaper wrote:
We could be in the Matrix.

Is it not worth finding out for sure?

At the going rate we will probably be extinct before we answer the most profound questions that we share. That doesn't mean that it is not worth exploring our realities.

And Spear, don't let the majority of Americans be your basis for judging all of humanity.

tl;dr

It's fine to be atheist, but don't take the material world at face value. Do not limit your skepticism.

Last edited by Superior Mind (2012-02-26 06:58:49)

x

2012-02-26 13:21:12

#146

Spearhead: Gulf coast redneck hippy; +731|6929|Tampa Bay Florida

That's some good advice, but my point was what you pretty much said : Aside from being able to articulate our thoughts and use tools, I would argue we're not any more "evolved" than the wild beasts. I think the material world is superficial.

Also, I'm not really sure whether I'm atheist or agnostic. I certainly don't believe in one defined concept of god, because the word itself can have so many different meanings. Some would call me an atheist, but I wouldn't.

Last edited by Spearhead (2012-02-26 13:22:12)

2012-02-26 14:38:25

#147

Cheeky_Ninja06: Member; +52|6972|Cambridge, England

When somebody is really ill, offer them the choice of the church or the hospital. Then you will see if they are really religious or not.

2012-02-26 15:17:26

#148

Superior Mind: (not macbeth); +1,755|6932

Spearhead, No organism on Earth is more evolved than any other. We have all been changing for the same amount of time- having branched from the same focal point of life. We simply occupy different paths. Dolphins may be as socially and intellectually complex or even more so than we but they still are confined to swimming. We have the physical form (bipedality, hands, sweating, language bearing tongues, large brains, etc.) that enables us to build and create objects and symbols which allow us to expand our abilities and knowledge at an exponential rate.

x

2012-02-26 16:01:57

#149

eleven bravo: Member; +1,399|5499|foggy bottom

skynet is self aware

Tu Stultus Es

2012-02-26 20:06:14

#150

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6650|'Murka

Superior Mind wrote:
Who ever said that cats and dogs are not self aware? And yes, some do comprehend our language. We have selectively bred dogs to be intelligent enough to understand human commands to perform complex tasks. Language gives us an ability to understand and describe our world. Feral children have no socialization and therefore don't even know what they are. Wild animals are not the same as feral humans. They are taught certain skills by their kin or rely on a different sensory relationship with the world than we.

Whenever did we assume that we have covered the entire scope of reality? Any non-ignorant being knows their knowledge is vastly limited about the cosmos. (By non-ignorant, I mean well informed thus far in humanity's mass of knowledge)

Perhaps all Earth creatures up until humans have lived in ignorant bliss. Why should we write off our ability to know our universe on a deep level (by the ability to describe it with language) as some false veil? By becoming learned beings we have crossed some evolutionary milestone and are compelled to explore the facets of reality. Dolphins may be as intelligent as us, but unfortunately they are confined to the sea and cannot create tools to further expand their species' knowledge-base on the same level as humans.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

Yes, there is more to it than just the world we can see	54%	54% - 148
No, once you die its Game Over. You cease to exist.	45%	45% - 125
Total: 273

BF2S Forums A simple Yes or No question

Poll

Dilbert_X wrote:

Dilbert_X wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

Dilbert_X wrote:

1stSFOD-Delta wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

Dilbert_X wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

AussieReaper wrote:

Superior Mind wrote:

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