Matter & Memory

[Brad De Long]

>Brad De Long wrote:
>
>>  Searle's argument proves that a collection of electro-chemically
>>  activated cells can fulfill the functions of a mind without anything
>>  within the collection comprehending *anything.* That means we have no
>>  basis for believing that brains "think," i.e. engage in cognition.
>>  Now, do you have any response to this argument?
>
>That is correct. We also do not have any reason to believe that
>any potential candidate for the task of thinker exists. I suppose
>myself the "answer" (assuming answers can be found to every
>question humans choose to ask) will be found somewhere in
>the general realm of the intersections of neuroscience and
>social relations. Or we might not ever know. Worse things
>have happened to the human species.


:-)