> By the way, this analysis -- that brain processes CAUSE
>consciousness but that consciousness is A FEATURE OF the brain
>provides us with a solution to the traditional mind-body problem, a
>solution which avoids both dualism and materialism, at least as they
>are traditionally conceived."
>
>kent_myers@smtplink.sra.com
Since the mind-body problem was brought up, I can't resist making the
observation that this problem may be a manifestation of language and
thought itself. Our words do not classify things, but our relationship to
things. Further, I believe that any word we use only has meaning in
relation to its opposite. Up only has meaning in relation to down. To
suggest up is to suggest down. They go together.
The same is true with mind-body. They only have meaning in relation to
each other. The idea of a problem only has meaning in relation to
solution. In other words, the two are enfolded in each other. The
question becomes the answer. What we are exploring is not a particular
philosophical problem but the limitations of our own thought processes,
which ultimately turn in on themselves in a paradoxical fashion, such as
suggested by the mind-body problem. We are driven to try and resolve this
paradox, but we can't using the same methods by which we discovered it
(and those are the only methods we have). However, we can accept that,
understanding it is part of the nature of thought to sometimes have to
confront paradox.
In terms of systems thinking and systems archetypes, we see that any
archetype basically describes a system that turns in on itself in the same
way that our thought processes do. There is no systems archetype that is
not ultimately self destructive (or self-contradictory in terms of
organizational goals). So what do we do? We recognize this, not let it
overwhelm us, try to keep things in balance, keep learning, and keep
improving in an endless fashion. The mind-body problem is just another
system archetype if you will. And all of these ideas are manifestations
of our brains at work, which are manifestations of nature at work, a
nature, which, under the right circumstances, has the ability to become
aware of itself.
There are mysteries out there, folks, that we will never fathom. But we
have two gifts: the ability to contemplate such mysteries, and the good
sense to be tremendously humbled by it all.
Hey, it's the weekend--that's when we get to do a little philosophy,
right?
Musings on Saturday morning, brought to you by
-- John Woods jwoods@execpc.com