Post by C. Snell on Jun 1, 2015 20:50:50 GMT
Weeks 5 and 6
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is the idea that the brain has evolved to consider various outcomes, through imagining, in order to increase humans survival rates. If a person is able to consider the outcome of risky behaviors or compare what he/she intends to do against what it has seen happen in its environment and subsequent outcomes, he/she can make a choice that is most efficient or safe. The book The Cerebral Mirage states, “Self-reflective awareness, in other words, doesn’t arise within a sterile vacuum, but is the result of a long history of survival successes, since those who don’t withstand nature’s cruel and unrelenting competitive game are no longer genetic contenders (pg. 14).” This relate to the theory because its states that those who were unable to utilize self-reflective awareness died off as a result not evolving the ability to problem solve through a virtual simulator. Using a virtual simulator is not always lead to success as stated in the book Is the Universe an App: …if consciousness is a virtual simulator then it can potentially simulate anything given the necessary information. The glitch here, however is that a simulation brain is invariable bounded by what it believes to be possible…there is fine line between acting as if something “may be real” versus acting as if something “is indeed” real (pg 119). The “virtual simulator” has been able to assist us in our survival, but it can also create tension on a psychological and philosophical level.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our perception or reality is a “trick.” The brain filters all of the environmental stimulus or input to create a uniform environmental experience for our species to interact in and navigate for survival. What we are constantly perceiving is not necessarily absolute reality. For example, in the book The Cerebral Mirage, they speak of how the human eye does a type of “filling in” to aid in the comprehension of color and motion. The book says, “We are ignorant of the unconscious programs, so to say, and are only dutifully conscious of the illusory, but highly beneficial result. (pg. 10)” It is beneficial because without the ability to filter out all the stimulus we are bombarded with all day, every day, we would not be able to function. Our ability to think clearly would be deeply affected because of the effort that would be required to focus on one thing at a time. So it was to our benefit that the brain set forth these tricks to streamline thinking and consciousness.
Furthermore, the book The Cerebral Mirage goes on to say, “…the greatest difficulty we confront is that we have evolved not necessarily to understand how the universe works, but to find ways and means to survive within it (pg. 12).” Which is to say that, like all animals, humans bodies only agenda is to maintain life, not to comprehend the universe. Our perception will always be limited by the course of evolution. We have consciousness, yes, and it aids in our survival, but philosophy is not biologically necessary. Thus, we have the ability to question, but may never physically evolve to be able to comprehend more than we can know, when it comes to our consciousness and how we came into existence.
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness is the idea that the brain has evolved to consider various outcomes, through imagining, in order to increase humans survival rates. If a person is able to consider the outcome of risky behaviors or compare what he/she intends to do against what it has seen happen in its environment and subsequent outcomes, he/she can make a choice that is most efficient or safe. The book The Cerebral Mirage states, “Self-reflective awareness, in other words, doesn’t arise within a sterile vacuum, but is the result of a long history of survival successes, since those who don’t withstand nature’s cruel and unrelenting competitive game are no longer genetic contenders (pg. 14).” This relate to the theory because its states that those who were unable to utilize self-reflective awareness died off as a result not evolving the ability to problem solve through a virtual simulator. Using a virtual simulator is not always lead to success as stated in the book Is the Universe an App: …if consciousness is a virtual simulator then it can potentially simulate anything given the necessary information. The glitch here, however is that a simulation brain is invariable bounded by what it believes to be possible…there is fine line between acting as if something “may be real” versus acting as if something “is indeed” real (pg 119). The “virtual simulator” has been able to assist us in our survival, but it can also create tension on a psychological and philosophical level.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our perception or reality is a “trick.” The brain filters all of the environmental stimulus or input to create a uniform environmental experience for our species to interact in and navigate for survival. What we are constantly perceiving is not necessarily absolute reality. For example, in the book The Cerebral Mirage, they speak of how the human eye does a type of “filling in” to aid in the comprehension of color and motion. The book says, “We are ignorant of the unconscious programs, so to say, and are only dutifully conscious of the illusory, but highly beneficial result. (pg. 10)” It is beneficial because without the ability to filter out all the stimulus we are bombarded with all day, every day, we would not be able to function. Our ability to think clearly would be deeply affected because of the effort that would be required to focus on one thing at a time. So it was to our benefit that the brain set forth these tricks to streamline thinking and consciousness.
Furthermore, the book The Cerebral Mirage goes on to say, “…the greatest difficulty we confront is that we have evolved not necessarily to understand how the universe works, but to find ways and means to survive within it (pg. 12).” Which is to say that, like all animals, humans bodies only agenda is to maintain life, not to comprehend the universe. Our perception will always be limited by the course of evolution. We have consciousness, yes, and it aids in our survival, but philosophy is not biologically necessary. Thus, we have the ability to question, but may never physically evolve to be able to comprehend more than we can know, when it comes to our consciousness and how we came into existence.