h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

see that in the mirror

thats me that is

thats me

I think therefore I imagine I am.

http://groups.google.com/group/talk.origins/browse_frm/thread/671aba9c64731965/e7e04cbdee3b76f2?q%3Dbenzenism%2Bgroup:talk.origins%2Bauthor:Frank%2Bauthor:J&_done%3D%252Fgroups%253Fas_q%253Dbenzenism%2526num%253D10%2526scoring%253Dr%2526hl%253Den%2526ie%253DUTF-8%2526as_epq%253D%2526as_oq%253D%2526as_eq%253D%2526as_ugroup%253Dtalk.origins%2526as_usubject%253D%2526as_uauthors%253DFrank%2BJ%2526lr%253D%2526as_qdr%253D%2526as_drrb%253Db%2526as_mind%253D1%2526as_minm%253D10%2526as_miny%253D2003%2526as_maxd%253D31%2526as_maxm%253D12%2526as_maxy%253D2003%2526safe%253Doff%2526&_doneTitle%3DBack%2Bto%2BSearch&&d%23e7e04cbdee3b76f2&pli=1

Read all about the problems with Benzenism!

TRiG.

~*~Thought arises as an emergent property of the physical processes inherent to sentient organisms, and commonly encourages the development of the ego-identity. While this 'symbolic' self may have adaptive, evolutionary advantages, there is no evidence that such an entity, the 'thinker', exists.
Therefore it is just as valid to say, "Thinking creates the illusion of a thinker, but there is no 'I' who 'thinks'."~*~

In any physical form. But the act of thinking alone requires some form of entity to do it. So even if I have absolutely no knowledge of what I look like, or of what the world around me is like, I must exist, even if it's only as a program in some computer, just to be able to ask myself the question of whether or not I do.

>> ...In any physical form. But the act of thinking alone requires some form of entity to do it. So even if I have absolutely no knowledge of what I look like, or of what the world around me is like, I must exist, even if it's only as a program in some computer, just to be able to ask myself the question of whether or not I do. <<

Hmm.

"I think I think therefore He is", sort of thing?

Whoever said God was thinking?

Self is only an illusion, albeit a very persistent one!

The 'act of thinking' isn't one, and requires no actor.

Observe where thoughts come from. Do you will them into existence, or do they merely arise as a by-product of your consciousness? And isn't consciousness an emergent property of physical existence in the world?

Of course, you do exist, not as a non-physical entity which thinks, but as a result of thought, which arises from consciousness -- the emergent property of your physical, sentient existence.

So.... What you're saying is..... You think, therefore you are.... Right?

You Are.....Therefore You Think.......I Think????

The French philosopher Jacques Lacan suggests that the aware, conscious self is created when we are 'born' into language. ... erm

Interesting.
Could be, I suppose.

That's ridiculous. Why then all the complaining and fussing before teething time?

It's the idea of SELF consciouness, Mr. X. I mean animals make a fuss. Don't blame me for crazy French intellectuals though.. But I find his ideas interesting.

Oh yeah he also says that ability to make symbols and understand the idea of metaphor is the mark of sanity. Literalists are mad...

Normal service will now be resumed now on radio wacka dacka doo dah

i thought we were on Wackaloon FM ???????

~*~It's the idea of SELF consciouness, Mr. X. I mean animals make a fuss.~*~

I don't understand. Are you saying that other animals don't think, or what?



~*~Oh yeah he also says that ability to make symbols and understand the idea of metaphor is the mark of sanity. Literalists are mad...~*~

Aren't they though? They have no sense of humor; clearly only a wackaloon wouldn't be able to laugh.

Oo, nice!

'You are listening to WKLN-FM.

That's wackaloon radio, broadcasting in full, wacked-out FM stereo.

All wackos, all the time

Any irrational number on your FM dial'