So far in this course we have discussed how some important aspects of human societies such as

Matter and energy share similar characteristics: both are in a constant state or transition; varying in infinite arrangements that are driven by said forces. Every miniscule and massive amount of energy and matter are linked with the big bang, constantly affecting everything. A Darwinist point of view revolves around the theory that the beginning has already happened, and the end has already been predetermined, yet we are still living in a constant state of uncertainty between the two states. We are incapable of predicting our own future, but while looking back at past events, are able to understand why and how they happened. Consciousness creates this skewed version of individuality that we may or may not in fact have. The firing of every neuron is a result of the exact composition of the universe at that time. A result of everything that has happened and the prerequisite to everything that has yet to happen. The only thing that distinguishes us from an amoeba reacting to the chemical composition of its environment, to the worm that is doing the same, is the advancement of our processing system. Consciousness is an illusion being felt by the extremely specific processing components of the brain. This illusion convinces us we are in charge of our own future and our own decisions, which somehow, because we are more aware of out atoms than an amoeba, makes us unique. This concept of a pre-determined future since the beginning of the universe is called pre-determinism.

Many philosophers have considered the mystery of consciousness to be a “hard problem.” In “The Hornswoggle Problem,” Patricia Churchland rejects the characterization of consciousness as a uniquely hard problem, and asserts her belief that arguing the unknown nature of consciousness, absent any scientific evidence is an argument from ignorance. A proponent of the “hard problem” would instead argue that consciousness possesses a subjective aspect that makes it uniquely different from all other problems. In this paper, it is my contention that Churchland is correct to reject the ‘hard’ problem argument; and without any objective inquiry or research, this “hard problem” argument lacks needed intellectual vigor, and tends to further

* to explain the connections of the elements of consciousness to the nervous system. (New World Encyclopaedia 2008)

Rethinking what we have been programmed to believe is what Nagel encourages us to do, making us wonder if what we have believed to be true is real. I often think about the meaning of life and the course life events are playing out; are people reacting to what is they believe to be true or is it reality. Nagel invites us to explore the mind and brain in order to find the answer for ourselves.

Daniel Bor, a psychological researcher, and author, wrote an article titled “When Do We Become Truly Conscious” published on September 4, 2012 and in this article he discusses the idea of consciousness. Through use of deductive reasoning Bor refers to early opinions viewing consciousness as magic and discusses the science behind demystifying consciousness. Bor also discusses the ethical arguments behind learning for about consciousness. Bor also lists some of the emotional arguments centered on human awareness. Bor’s use of rhetorical strategies is designed to state his opinion in a simple and easily read way.

Why is "consciousness" really tough to physical and mental problems, according to Thomas Nagel? Thomas Nagel claims that consciousness is the obstacle to the physical and mental problems. He said there is a little comprehension of consciousness by the reductionist, less available because there is no real convincing, incredible psychological account has been developed to help describe the familiar reductions (Nagel, 1998, 3-30).

However, it will be shown that it does not have to do this. Consciousness, as Michael Gazzaniga ( in "Postcards from the brain") put it, is our developing thoughts distributed across our brain, rather then them competing to be acknowledged, and exhibit what is relevant (or seems to be relevant) at the time. This occurs in a way that once one thought process is complete, another begins, and then another, and so on. This is continuous and mainly correlated with humans, as apposed to non-human animals. Additionally, it cannot be described as a process, as it an attribute that in continually develops. This adds to how our consciousness cannot be an accumulation of thoughts that are trying to push their way forward, but rather, an endless stream; just like in the saying: "stream on

Thomas Nagel argues that because emergentism fails to account for the genesis of the mind, panpsychism is the next

Place and Armstrong explain the possibility of “consciousness is a process in the brain” by comparing it to “lighting is a motion of electrical charges”, for what we

A Brief Foray Into Philosophy and the Cognitive Sciences Modern physics is divided by two descriptions of the universe: the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Many physicists have faith that at some point a "Grand Unified Theory" will be developed which will provide a unified description of the universe from subatomic particles to the movement of the planets. Like in physics, the cognitive sciences can describe the brain at different levels of abstraction. For example, neurobiologists study brain function at the level of neurons while psychologists look for the laws describing behavior and cognitive mechanisms. Also like in physics, many in these fields believe that it is possible that one day we will be able to understand complicated behaviors in terms of neuronal mechanisms. Others believe that this unification isn't possible even in theory because there is some metaphysical quality to consciousness that transcends neural firing patterns. Even if consciousness can't be described by a "Grand Unified Theory" of the cognitive sciences, it is apparent that many of our cognitive mechanisms and behaviors can. While research on the level of neurons and psychological mechanisms is fairly well developed, the area in between these is rather murky. Some progress has been made however. Cognitive scientists have been able to associate

As stated by Thomas Nagel in his paper “What Is It Like to Be a Bat?” consciousness is what makes the mind-body problem really intractable (Reference). By this, he means that the relationships between the subject mind and the objective physical body are difficult to control or to deal with. Nagel states that without consciousness the problem seems less interesting, and with it, it seems impossible (Reference). Reduction has been a common method to attempt to link the relationship between the mind and the body, however Nagel has many critiques in the ways that reductionists attempt it. Reductionism is the process of taking one theory or phenomenon to be reducible to some other theory or phenomenon – in most cases to objectively clarify its meaning (Reference). Nagel criticizes reductionists take on the mind by saying that “Reduction theories do not attempt to explain the most important and characteristic features of the conscious mind.” He claims there may be knowledge available in the future to potentially reduce the mind, however not only do we not have access to that intelligence but we may never.

In Chapter 10 you are introduced to the many influntal indivduals in psychology and the systematic ways each influnced the way we as huan view evolution for both humans and living things. Prior to Darwin the idea associated with both earht and living organismis could be traced back as far as early Greeks. Because observations was not as advanced as some of the later contributers growing tendencies towards objects resulted Greks to develop a rudimentary theroy of evolution.

Consciousness allows a person to recognize their existence, and subsequently, to form their essence. The

While Mesopotamian cultures were organized around the complex building projects needed to irrigate their fields, societies in the Nile River had other pressures. Their cropland was regularly fertilized and irrigated, so their complexity developed out

characteristics influence society and the populations living in them. The agency’s educational director has her degree in criminal justice. Prior to her becoming employed at Life’s Kitchen she previously worked as a probation officer. This is helpful to the agency because a large number of students within the program have previously been on probation or are currently on probation so this helps build rapport with those students, but it also helps with referrals made from the Department of Juvenile Corrections due to having that networking piece.