Post by Geza Csurilla on Jul 19, 2015 18:12:07 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The idea of virtual simulation theory of consciousness is basically what we see in the world is not real. In the video "Disneyland of Consciousness" they use an example describing the animation world of Disneyland. One example was about an elderly lady watching The Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. She had gone up to someone and asked for the actors autograph, when in fact she came to find out it was a machine. This describes the idea of virtual simulation, we may believe what we see to be true, but just like in a dream, it is not. The narrator says "consciousness is not a thingy, but a process as fluid as the tons of water cascading down Niagara falls." This describes that our own consciousness is more complicated and we are not even able to fully comprehend it ourselves.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our brain only allows us to see and perceive what our bodies are capable of taking in. After reading "Cerebral Mirage" Lane states "the way we apprehend the world around us is not necessarily how we later comprehend it through scientific analysis." Just like how the book begins with describing that all the colors we see in the world are not actually colors, but our eyes catching what is absorbed or reflected off wavelengths of light. This is just one way how our brains make us think what we see is real. Our brain allows us to see and comprehend only what we need to survive. The book then goes on to say whether our brains make predetermined actions or make them as they come. How do we find out what is predetermined and what is not? We don't, there is no way of knowing whether we are really in control or not.
The idea of virtual simulation theory of consciousness is basically what we see in the world is not real. In the video "Disneyland of Consciousness" they use an example describing the animation world of Disneyland. One example was about an elderly lady watching The Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. She had gone up to someone and asked for the actors autograph, when in fact she came to find out it was a machine. This describes the idea of virtual simulation, we may believe what we see to be true, but just like in a dream, it is not. The narrator says "consciousness is not a thingy, but a process as fluid as the tons of water cascading down Niagara falls." This describes that our own consciousness is more complicated and we are not even able to fully comprehend it ourselves.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Our brain only allows us to see and perceive what our bodies are capable of taking in. After reading "Cerebral Mirage" Lane states "the way we apprehend the world around us is not necessarily how we later comprehend it through scientific analysis." Just like how the book begins with describing that all the colors we see in the world are not actually colors, but our eyes catching what is absorbed or reflected off wavelengths of light. This is just one way how our brains make us think what we see is real. Our brain allows us to see and comprehend only what we need to survive. The book then goes on to say whether our brains make predetermined actions or make them as they come. How do we find out what is predetermined and what is not? We don't, there is no way of knowing whether we are really in control or not.