Fear of the Biological Machine

afro-elf · 01-29-2003, 10:44 AM

Why do you think so many fear the biological machine?

We have spoken about the biology of love here and people cowered

the biology of sex preference they stood defiant

and the cries of sacrilege

when they are told that their emotions are based in the limbic system and the "soul" your self/personality is in the frontal lobe.

why the fear, why the distress

I have heard people say that it destroyes the magic of the word.

I never thought that living in ignorance was magical. I find the world more wonderous with each answered question that opens up others

Wayfarer · 01-29-2003, 10:55 AM

No offense, Aelf, but that was a really badly written post. Nobody here fears the body, and it appears you're just pulling stuff out of thin air.

Gwaimir Windgem · 01-29-2003, 10:57 AM

Ok. *takes out notebook and begins taking notes.* Christians are superstitious idiots. Gotcha.

Dunadan · 01-29-2003, 12:29 PM

Are you saying that brain and mind are the same thing, then?

FrodoFriend · 01-29-2003, 02:01 PM

Well, speaking from the point of view of hopeful, romantic youth . . . it's certainly a more pleasant idea that I have an immortal, unique soul and that love is a divine feeling to be shared only with very special people than that it's all just a bunch of ribosomes tangoing around in my brain cells. You know, makes us feel special and all. Ignorance is bliss.

Besides, things like love and consciousness are not quite so easily explained, IMO. Possibly they really are just biological reactions, but it just . . . feels . . . like more. Personally, I don't think we know enough yet to judge this question accurately (although if forced to take a viewpoint, I'd go for biology, I guess, it being more logical based on what we know at the moment).

FrodoFriend · 01-29-2003, 02:03 PM

For example, why does my body produce love chemicals in respones to Lord of the Rings stimuli? It doesn't aid in reproduction or survival or anything.

Not everything is so easily explained....

Beleg Strongbow · 01-29-2003, 02:12 PM

Agreeing with Wayfarer here. Are you just trying to prod people into a good argument (afro-elf)?

FrodoFriend · 01-29-2003, 02:17 PM

Of course he is. It is the Path of Afro-Elf . . . littered with the bones of those who have dropped from exhaustion due to too much debating . . .

Lizra · 01-29-2003, 03:59 PM

Ha ha! good one FrodoFriend!

I think that many people want to think they have more control than the "biological machine" allows them. I find the biological explanation a rather pleasant one myself. Understanding that many of the troubling and/or confusing feelings I have felt in the past were caused by chemicals, relieves me of feelings of guilt, stupidity, or lack of control. If you realize you are just being "human" and that some irrational bits "will pass", you can be more at peace! (well, I can!)

Wayfarer · 01-29-2003, 06:24 PM

Ah! But do the chemicals cause the feelings, or do the feelings cause the chemicals?

When FrodoFriend picks up a lotr book, does that somehow cause the chemicals to flow in her brain, which makes her feel happy? Or does the happy feeling that she feels when she picks up the book somehow cause the chemicals to flow in the brain?

Evenstar1400 · 01-29-2003, 06:30 PM

im not quite sure. its like the question which came first.... the chicken or the egg?

Lizra · 01-29-2003, 06:37 PM

Hmmm, what starts out as a little, tiny snowball (by your thoughts), can easily become a giant, home crushing monster of a snowball, (by your chemical flooded brain). I think the chemicals are the fuel that burns these types of (often irrational) behaviors.

afro-elf · 01-29-2003, 09:59 PM

. I have found many are "respulsed" to this that they are only flesh.

Quote:

! But do the chemicals cause the feelings, or do the feelings cause the chemicals

Bad question. your feelings ARE chemicals.

Would I just start a post to generate discussion?

Wayafer besides the lack of grammar why was it badly written?

Frodo Friend

LOL good one

afro-elf · 01-29-2003, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Are you saying that brain and mind are the same thing, then?

yeap, the mind is just the activity of the brain

Quote:

It doesn't aid in reproduction or survival or anything

entertainment might be a boost to survival

Wayfarer · 01-29-2003, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Wayafer besides the lack of grammar why was it badly written?

The format was what I was referring to. It made even my head whirl.

afro-elf · 01-29-2003, 11:13 PM

here is a link

http://www.epub.org.br/cm/n12/opinia...imentos_i.html

Elvellon · 01-30-2003, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by afro-elf

entertainment might be a boost to survival

True, but not necessarily the only reason, the need for entertainment may be partially a consequence of the brain’s design, without any “real life” benefits. A side effect, if you will.

FrodoFriend,
knowledge of how the brain works doesn't makes it less wondrous. On the contrary! It’s incredible complexity and plasticity is breathtaking, and the end result, the “I” remains as unique.

FrodoFriend · 01-30-2003, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elvellon
FrodoFriend,
knowledge of how the brain works doesn't makes it less wondrous. On the contrary! It’s incredible complexity and plasticity is breathtaking, and the end result, the “I” remains as unique.

I absolutely agree!! I know very little about the workings of the brain, but what I know astounds me. It's really amazing how the whole thing words, what tricks it can play on us, and how very intricate it is...

Rána Eressëa · 01-30-2003, 10:32 PM

Biology of the brain is tantalizing. I'm fascinated with it. I think what Lizra and FF and AE all said stands true.

01-29-2003, 10:44 AM	#1
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	Fear of the Biological Machine Why do you think so many fear the biological machine? We have spoken about the biology of love here and people cowered the biology of sex preference they stood defiant and the cries of sacrilege when they are told that their emotions are based in the limbic system and the "soul" your self/personality is in the frontal lobe. why the fear, why the distress I have heard people say that it destroyes the magic of the word. I never thought that living in ignorance was magical. I find the world more wonderous with each answered question that opens up others __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

01-29-2003, 10:55 AM	#2
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	No offense, Aelf, but that was a really badly written post. Nobody here fears the body, and it appears you're just pulling stuff out of thin air. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

01-29-2003, 10:57 AM	#3
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Ok. takes out notebook and begins taking notes. Christians are superstitious idiots. Gotcha. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

01-29-2003, 02:01 PM	#5
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	Well, speaking from the point of view of hopeful, romantic youth . . . it's certainly a more pleasant idea that I have an immortal, unique soul and that love is a divine feeling to be shared only with very special people than that it's all just a bunch of ribosomes tangoing around in my brain cells. You know, makes us feel special and all. Ignorance is bliss. Besides, things like love and consciousness are not quite so easily explained, IMO. Possibly they really are just biological reactions, but it just . . . feels . . . like more. Personally, I don't think we know enough yet to judge this question accurately (although if forced to take a viewpoint, I'd go for biology, I guess, it being more logical based on what we know at the moment). __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

01-29-2003, 02:03 PM	#6
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	For example, why does my body produce love chemicals in respones to Lord of the Rings stimuli? It doesn't aid in reproduction or survival or anything. Not everything is so easily explained.... __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

01-29-2003, 12:29 PM	#4
Dunadan The Quite Querulous Quendi Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oxon, UK Posts: 638	Are you saying that brain and mind are the same thing, then?

01-29-2003, 02:12 PM	#7
Beleg Strongbow Truest of Friends Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pennsylvania, but I have a vacation home in the Westfarthing. Posts: 520	Agreeing with Wayfarer here. Are you just trying to prod people into a good argument (afro-elf)? __________________ "...Beleg Strongbow, truest of friends, greatest in skill of all that harboured in the woods of Beleriand in the Elder Days..." Aure Entuleva! John Kerry for President!

01-29-2003, 02:17 PM	#8
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	Of course he is. It is the Path of Afro-Elf . . . littered with the bones of those who have dropped from exhaustion due to too much debating . . . __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

01-29-2003, 03:59 PM	#9
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	Ha ha! good one FrodoFriend! I think that many people want to think they have more control than the "biological machine" allows them. I find the biological explanation a rather pleasant one myself. Understanding that many of the troubling and/or confusing feelings I have felt in the past were caused by chemicals, relieves me of feelings of guilt, stupidity, or lack of control. If you realize you are just being "human" and that some irrational bits "will pass", you can be more at peace! (well, I can!) __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats! Last edited by Lizra : 01-29-2003 at 04:01 PM.

01-29-2003, 06:24 PM	#10
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	Ah! But do the chemicals cause the feelings, or do the feelings cause the chemicals? When FrodoFriend picks up a lotr book, does that somehow cause the chemicals to flow in her brain, which makes her feel happy? Or does the happy feeling that she feels when she picks up the book somehow cause the chemicals to flow in the brain? __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

01-29-2003, 06:30 PM	#11
Evenstar1400 Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In the inner depths of my lair. Posts: 421	im not quite sure. its like the question which came first.... the chicken or the egg? __________________ Treebeard: Hmm, you look like hobbits, smell like hobbits, feel like hobbits and sound like hobbits. You must be orcs!

01-29-2003, 06:37 PM	#12
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	Hmmm, what starts out as a little, tiny snowball (by your thoughts), can easily become a giant, home crushing monster of a snowball, (by your chemical flooded brain). I think the chemicals are the fuel that burns these types of (often irrational) behaviors. __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

01-29-2003, 11:13 PM	#16
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	here is a link http://www.epub.org.br/cm/n12/opinia...imentos_i.html __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

01-30-2003, 10:32 PM	#19
Rána Eressëa The Rogue Elf Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,722	Biology of the brain is tantalizing. I'm fascinated with it. I think what Lizra and FF and AE all said stands true.

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