Big brain evolution: changes in sapiens skull shape;addendum (Evolution)

by David Turell , Tuesday, March 06, 2018, 18:18 (2452 days ago) @ dhw
edited by David Turell, Tuesday, March 06, 2018, 18:39

dhw: You see, you’ve understood perfectly that the s/s/c does the thinking, but manifestation can only occur when the brain gives material implementation to the immaterial thoughts. So why do you keep insisting that your mind cannot THINK its thoughts without the functioning brain?
DAVID: You keep forgetting I have two views of the state of the s/s/c. In life it MUST use the brain, but in the afterlife it is independent.
DAVID (later): My s/s/c has dual roles in life and in death, with brain and without brain. Its underlying mechanism of action may be slightly different in each role. I don't think of the s/s/c as you do, seemingly one neat package.

dhw: I haven’t forgotten it at all, but you have forgotten our exchange on 2 March: “If NDEs are to be believed, the s/s/c plays the same role in life and in death: it is the thinking, experiencing, remembering, decision-making YOU. Yes or no?” You answered yes. But now, since you believe that intelligence ”springs from the s/s/c being able to use an advanced brain in size and complexity”, you can only believe that without your advanced brain, your soul will leave its intelligence behind! A thinking, decision-making you without your intelligence. A fine prospect.

Please read carefully what I present. My view of the s/s/c is presented above. It functions interfaced with the brain in life and on its own in the afterlife, perhaps slightly different in quantum mechanism. The information, memories and thought processes are the same in both places and in both forms, and you know my theory!

DAVID: Of course, the receiver is not working properly.

dhw: So the vegetable who thinks he/she is a child actually knows he/she is her normal self but his/her brain is doing all the talking? The other example I used earlier related to your claim that judgement is impaired until the prefrontal cortex is fully mature at around the age of 25. I asked if that meant anyone under the age of 25 was not responsible for their criminal actions. You have now posted an article on that very subject, but extending the question to brain damage at all ages. You comment: “The brain is the seat of operations for the s/s/c. There is no way around it. Normal s/s/c requires a normal brain. But this is a legal slippery slope.” It is also a philosophical slippery slope. It hinges on the debate between dualism and materialism. You continue to favour dualism while arguing for materialism,

The brain IS material and it acts as a receiver for the s/s/c. In dualism part of the issue is always that the material part of the arrangement must play an equal role. Why can't you see that? Part of the brain is running the body, part of it is conceptualizing with the s/s/c

DAVID: And the only way there can be advanced thinking, as Einstein shows, is through brain complexity.

dhw: So did Einstein show us that the complexities of his brain were the source of his great thoughts, thereby embracing materialism, or did he show us that his great thoughts resulted in increased brain complexity, thereby embracing dualism?

DAVID: The thickened area allowed the more complex thoughts to be developed. Why do IQ levels differ in different people? It must be the individual complexity of the prefrontal cortex.

dhw: You’re off again with “allowed”. What is the source of Einstein’s genius or of intelligence in general: the soul/self or the prefrontal cortex? If your answer is the latter, welcome once more to the world of materialism. And you may well be right. I’m not taking sides. However, NDEs suggest that there is an immaterial self that uses the brain and body to express and implement its thoughts. And so I don’t understand how anyone can believe that a person’s thoughts (including intelligence) are dependent on a functioning brain, and yet at the same time believe that when the functioning brain dies, the person’s thoughts (including intelligence) continue without it. Has your yes to my question of 2 March now turned into a no on 5 March?

Don't you realize an s/s/c develops from birth with a living interaction of a developing person? Of course you do. It must be formed and it will contain the personality that appears. It is a material quantum mechanism to be filled with the immaterial characteristics of the 'person'. Your NDE comment is correct. Einstein's thickened area permitted the appearance of his genius s/s/c. Complex thought development (immaterial) requires a more complex material brain. Pure dualism.

Further we measure IQ. There is a normal range from below 100 to folks with 150+. Part is difference in training to think, part is in brain structure, as research in genomes for responsible genes testifies. The s/s/c can develop more deep complexity of concepts with a more complex underlying brain in the interface.