Re: Motivation and Motives

From: gts (gts@optexinc.com)
Date: Fri Sep 27 2002 - 20:56:52 MDT


Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:

> >> This drive [to breathe] is merely a subroutine in the lower
> >> reaches of the neural net that serves to maintain the body
> >> I am currently using.
> >
> > You wrote to me in a previous message that you do not believe you are
> > a "ghost in a machine."
> >
> > Yet your words above suggest very strongly that you do in fact believe
> > you are a ghost in a machine.
>
> ### No, my words do not imply that. I do not believe in ghosts. Or
> vampires and werewolves, either.

Perhaps you're not familiar with the use of the phrase "ghost in the
machine" in reference to the mind/body problem that has plagued so many
philosophers, such that you were offended by my earlier question, or perhaps
you're being sarcastic simply because you want to be sarcastic. I do not
know.

In any case, I was referring to your satement, "This drive is merely a
subroutine in the lower reaches of the neural net that serves to maintain
the the body I am currently using."

If your body is something you believe you are "currently using" then it
would seem that
you consider your body as something other than you (who uses your body),
which is
to say that you believe in the duality of mind/body. That is contrary to
your earlier message in which you insisted that you do not believe you are a
"ghost in a machine."

So then I ask you again to explain the apparent contradiction. Is the
dichotomy of mind/body something you embrace as real? Or not?

Intelligent people can disagree on this subject. I would simply like to know
where you stand. Thanks.

-gts



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