Information and free will: brain scan value? (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 03:36 (4736 days ago) @ dhw

DHW

The complexity of these mechanisms is mind-boggling, and each finding makes it less clear what actually performs the boggle! I believe it was Tony (balance_maintained) who compared the brain to a computer and asked what operated it. The above choice of words (“not a window into the soul”) is striking, but even if the mechanisms do turn out to be self-operating materials, there is still no way one can confidently claim that chance is capable of starting off the process that led to their assembly. However, let me also maintain my own balance: nor would I confidently claim that chance is capable of spawning Abel’s creator gods on Planet X, or that a Universal Intelligence is capable of spawning itself. Maybe it’s time to simply marvel and give up trying to understand!

But trying to understand is what allows us to marvel at its beautiful complexity. :) I'm sitting behind the keyboard to that mass of gray organic material in my skull, whatever I happen to be. Still, as a resident theist, I have to agree that taking the time to just simply marvel (at how wonderfully designed we are) is definitely worth it.

Tony

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.