On 12/20/14 11:35 AM, glen wrote:
On 12/20/14 6:14 AM, Russ Abbott wrote:
Suppose you had a device that could read brain waves and determine whether
someone believed in [a]theism. Since this wouldn't be a diagnosis based on
behavior would it get at what you want?
Yes, that would be very nice. I'd first use it on myself to see if my friends
are right. I've often found that others have insight into my personality that
I simply don't have. Next, I'd use it on them to see if they were right about
themselves. Then I'd probably use it on my mom ... but I probably wouldn't
tell her the result... or I might have to lie.
After going through all that, I'd probably try it out on my cats. I get the
distinct feeling they're more rational than I'll ever be.
I like this response... it fits what I know of you and it entertains me...
On 12/20/2014 06:15 AM, Steve Smith wrote:
And how would this device be calibrated? It's measurements validated?
I have in mind a device that comes with a decent body of mechanistic theory.
If it didn't have such, and calibration and validation were mysterious...
metaphysical... then it would not be solving any of the problems I have for it.
So, the calibration of it would probably work much like that of an MRI or CT
scanner.
I guess my argument about validation is as simple as this: The only
validation I can imagine would be against self-reporting. One could
find a mechanistic brain-imaging (or measureable neurochemical) system
which could be *correlated* with self-reported (a)theist claims. But
what of those who remain? Those who *claim* to be theists whose brains
light up much more like a-theists and vice-versa? Would the machine's
measurements take precedence over the self-reported claim.
This fits too well with the known-to-be-flawed "lie detectors" of
forensic science. If you were wired to a lie detector and asked if you
"believed in god" and it lit up (or not) when you said "yes" (or not),
what would you know? That lie detectors measure something besides
truth/lie? That YOU don't know your own mind? I suppose if you
deliberately lied and the machine lit up... then you might surmise that
it "works", but if you truthfully said "I do not believe in god" and it
lit up, then would it mean that you don't know your own mind on the subject?
Maybe the Solstice tomorrow night will return me to the sanity of not
getting caught in such cogitations as this one....
Merry Solstice everyone!
- Steve
The diagnosis wouldn't be all that magical. However, having had 2 PETs and
something like 6 CTs in the past 2 years, I can say that the radiologists are
engaged in some mystical hermeneutics! I love the little details they deem fit
to jot down or fit to ignore.
p.s. What's with all the accusations of [SPAM]?
============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
