Questions about the class or what will be studied?
Collect student information/feedback sheets
Evaluating common sense psychology - handout
Distribute the Readers and walk through its contents
What is Psychology? - (Notes)
Philosophical Problem I: the mind-body problem - (Notes)
Video clip: Blade Runner
HW: Read pages 15-22 in the Reader; respond to questions on page 22 (always in complete sentences)***This reading is very different from 99% of the readings in this class so please do not panic if you find this reading extremely difficult...it is! But try to really digest it! It should prove to be very interesting. I am really looking forward to getting your reaction to the reading on Monday!
The below clip is a classic scene from the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. One major question proposed by the film is of artificial intelligence. More specifically, to what extent can a machine/computer have a mind? If the mind is nothing different from the brain, then such a computer is completely possible. The below scene has Dave trying to turn off/kill the computer (known as HAL).
I'm n ot sure what I'm supposed to say but I scoped out the suicide with Asian-Americans and the mom being free and both of them are pretty weird to me. The one about the mom is pretty wack because she killed her kids and the're just like, "whatever man" and that's no good.
I would have to say.. backwards? For my own mind, that is the best way I can describe it. Descartes makes one statement and then makes another statement that is the total opposite of the statement he had just made.. and then he keeps going. Like he is trying to think through his writing and expects us as the readers to grab hold of the thoughts of his mind when he, as a person (or not a person) doubts that he is even a thinking individual.
I understand some parts, other parts are complicated.
How can he be certain of his statement 'there is absolutely nothing certain' if nothing can be certain. But then again, by his statements, I don't know if he really spoke that or if that was just another random thought.. that he didn't 'technically' think.
It does seem like Descartes is confused, and in a way he is until the end of the entire Meditations (there are six in all).
Your citation stating, there is absolutely nothing certain' if nothing can be certain, is a key point for Descartes. He is claiming that anything he believes to know, he gained via his senses. But he quickly argues that the senses are not trustworthy. Therefore, he doesn't know anything for sure!
I am so glad you are thinking it through! Thanks for the smart comments Rachael!
4 comments:
I'm n ot sure what I'm supposed to say but I scoped out the suicide with Asian-Americans and the mom being free and both of them are pretty weird to me. The one about the mom is pretty wack because she killed her kids and the're just like, "whatever man" and that's no good.
Hey Charles,
We will have to consider it when we debate whether or not we have a free will.
The reading is...
I would have to say.. backwards? For my own mind, that is the best way I can describe it. Descartes makes one statement and then makes another statement that is the total opposite of the statement he had just made.. and then he keeps going. Like he is trying to think through his writing and expects us as the readers to grab hold of the thoughts of his mind when he, as a person (or not a person) doubts that he is even a thinking individual.
I understand some parts, other parts are complicated.
How can he be certain of his statement 'there is absolutely nothing certain' if nothing can be certain. But then again, by his statements, I don't know if he really spoke that or if that was just another random thought.. that he didn't 'technically' think.
Running in Circles.. see you Monday :) Haha.
Rachael,
It does seem like Descartes is confused, and in a way he is until the end of the entire Meditations (there are six in all).
Your citation stating, there is absolutely nothing certain' if nothing can be certain, is a key point for Descartes. He is claiming that anything he believes to know, he gained via his senses. But he quickly argues that the senses are not trustworthy. Therefore, he doesn't know anything for sure!
I am so glad you are thinking it through! Thanks for the smart comments Rachael!
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