Economics Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Brain states: In philosophy, "brain state" refers to the specific configuration and activity of neurons and synapses at a given moment, corresponding to mental experiences and functions. See also Brain, Thinking, Consciousness, Experiences._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Colin McGinn on Brain/Brain State - Dictionary of Arguments
I 146f Even if we have an idea of the neural equivalents of decisions, it does not provide us with a theory of the nature of the decision. The generation of decisions is something completely different from the generation of motion. Because decisions are neither put together by antecedent desires or other settings, nor by brain states. --- I 222 Brain/McGinn: It is now commonplace to interpret the brain as an information system (>Information Processing/Dennett) in whose interior most messages remain without a conscious counterpart. Many only concern the inner realities of the brain itself. --- I 223 Thesis: There has to be a silent internal theory of the brain, by the way also for the other organs. A theory which relates to the operation of the whole apparatus. Neural signals can only be interpreted when they are embedded in a representation of the brain and body functions. The brain must be a brain researcher, but unconsciously. It must contain a theory of itself. There must be some real property that distinguishes brains from other objects._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
McGinn I Colin McGinn Problems in Philosophy. The Limits of Inquiry, Cambridge/MA 1993 German Edition: Die Grenzen vernünftigen Fragens Stuttgart 1996 McGinn II C. McGinn The Mysteriouy Flame. Conscious Minds in a Material World, New York 1999 German Edition: Wie kommt der Geist in die Materie? München 2001 |
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