thoughts by Jordan Munroe
The Multiple Self Phenomenon
Showing posts with label Causal Mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Causal Mind. Show all posts
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Causal Mind (part III)
thoughts by Jordan Munroe
Transcendant Self
The awareness we have of ourselves, our actions, and the implications of those actions is a rather astonishing property. It separates the individual from normal matter. Matter is dead. It completely causal. It does nothing other than the laws of nature tell it to do. Even though the human brain is composed entirely of matter it has the aspect of self which, not being causal, transends the chemicles and tissue into what we call the mind.
Consider that though our brain is completely causal, our minds (or biblically our soul) is entirely outside of causality. The brain is a "cog", the mind is an intellect directing the actions of the "cog". The brain is, however, capable of performing actions without the direction of the mind. These include autonomic, reactive, and carnal functions. Autonomic functions govern the actions of the heart and lungs as well as other systems involved in keeping the body running. These actions are obviously completely amoral. The reactive functions are direct responses to stimuli such as when one jumps when startled. These too are amoral. The third functions, the carnal functions, are completely moral (or immoral as the case may be). They are an artifact of our awareness. They are partially controlled both by the mind which is not causal, and the brain which are causal. The carnal brain seeks to fulfill various pleasure drives. Without the mind to get in the way the system works rather simply. The carnal brain simply moves toward the strongest drive it has. Drives can be sex, hunger, pride, or anything that potentially provides pleasure.
There is a dichotomy between these drives and the mind which is at the heart of Christian doctrine. The Christian mind seeks to control the carnal autonomous self in order to follow the law of God. The carnal brain simple seeks after the strongest drive present. When they are in conflict war breaks out. Fulfilling the drives is the purpose of the carnal autonomous self, just as the purpose of a plant is to grow. But an unwanted plant growing in your garden is a weed and even though it is following its purpose, it is disobeying the law of the garden. In the same way our drives can be fulfilled in the wrong way by disobeying the laws of God or in the right way by enjoying the things he intends for us to enjoy.
The best analogy of the mind over the carnal atonomous self is a parent over a child. A young child is a perfect representation of the carnal self because their minds cannot yet contend with their carnal proclivities. They need their parents to govern them until they are old enough to govern themselves. Our mind parents our carnal self in much the same way.
The archetype of this is God the creator, who is always effecting and never effected upon. God is the ultimate cause of all causes, fundamental, from the beginning. As He is abstract from causality, so are our minds. The universe is not an infinately branching tree but a meandering stream that is guided by the minds wading in it, both ours and God's. Like Lewis's dance, our roll and God's are poetically intertwined through out creation. We are little creators creating our small peices of a much greater creation. We are created in His image; mind, body, and spirit; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
View entire "Causal Mind" article
Transcendant Self
The awareness we have of ourselves, our actions, and the implications of those actions is a rather astonishing property. It separates the individual from normal matter. Matter is dead. It completely causal. It does nothing other than the laws of nature tell it to do. Even though the human brain is composed entirely of matter it has the aspect of self which, not being causal, transends the chemicles and tissue into what we call the mind.
Consider that though our brain is completely causal, our minds (or biblically our soul) is entirely outside of causality. The brain is a "cog", the mind is an intellect directing the actions of the "cog". The brain is, however, capable of performing actions without the direction of the mind. These include autonomic, reactive, and carnal functions. Autonomic functions govern the actions of the heart and lungs as well as other systems involved in keeping the body running. These actions are obviously completely amoral. The reactive functions are direct responses to stimuli such as when one jumps when startled. These too are amoral. The third functions, the carnal functions, are completely moral (or immoral as the case may be). They are an artifact of our awareness. They are partially controlled both by the mind which is not causal, and the brain which are causal. The carnal brain seeks to fulfill various pleasure drives. Without the mind to get in the way the system works rather simply. The carnal brain simply moves toward the strongest drive it has. Drives can be sex, hunger, pride, or anything that potentially provides pleasure.
There is a dichotomy between these drives and the mind which is at the heart of Christian doctrine. The Christian mind seeks to control the carnal autonomous self in order to follow the law of God. The carnal brain simple seeks after the strongest drive present. When they are in conflict war breaks out. Fulfilling the drives is the purpose of the carnal autonomous self, just as the purpose of a plant is to grow. But an unwanted plant growing in your garden is a weed and even though it is following its purpose, it is disobeying the law of the garden. In the same way our drives can be fulfilled in the wrong way by disobeying the laws of God or in the right way by enjoying the things he intends for us to enjoy.
The best analogy of the mind over the carnal atonomous self is a parent over a child. A young child is a perfect representation of the carnal self because their minds cannot yet contend with their carnal proclivities. They need their parents to govern them until they are old enough to govern themselves. Our mind parents our carnal self in much the same way.
The archetype of this is God the creator, who is always effecting and never effected upon. God is the ultimate cause of all causes, fundamental, from the beginning. As He is abstract from causality, so are our minds. The universe is not an infinately branching tree but a meandering stream that is guided by the minds wading in it, both ours and God's. Like Lewis's dance, our roll and God's are poetically intertwined through out creation. We are little creators creating our small peices of a much greater creation. We are created in His image; mind, body, and spirit; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
View entire "Causal Mind" article
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Causal Mind (part II)
thoughts by Jordan Munroe
The "Cog" Syllogism
Many people, myself included, are uncomfortable thinking of themselves as causal. Many think that causality limits the control they have over themselves. I call this the "Cog" syllogism, because it leads many to feel that they are just a cog in some ultimate machine. This idea comes from the fact that a machine is a common example of a simple causal system. Though it is correct, it is not a complete allegory of human decision making. Machines and computer systems are not self aware. They perform the functions they are designed to perform unless they malfunction. People perform functions in a similar way, but they also have the ability to change the outcome of their process because they are aware of what they are doing and the implications thereof. I believe this awareness is what separates us from purely causal systems. Though we are causal, we are separated from it in an abstract sence because we are aware of ourselves.
View entire "Causal Mind" article
The "Cog" Syllogism
Many people, myself included, are uncomfortable thinking of themselves as causal. Many think that causality limits the control they have over themselves. I call this the "Cog" syllogism, because it leads many to feel that they are just a cog in some ultimate machine. This idea comes from the fact that a machine is a common example of a simple causal system. Though it is correct, it is not a complete allegory of human decision making. Machines and computer systems are not self aware. They perform the functions they are designed to perform unless they malfunction. People perform functions in a similar way, but they also have the ability to change the outcome of their process because they are aware of what they are doing and the implications thereof. I believe this awareness is what separates us from purely causal systems. Though we are causal, we are separated from it in an abstract sence because we are aware of ourselves.
View entire "Causal Mind" article
Causal Mind (part I)
thoughts by Jordan Munroe
The Causal Dilemma
There seems to be a peculiar dichotomy between the causal universe described by science and the biblical concept of free will. Causality says that, within the context of our universe every event, everything that happens, has a cause. The question is whether the human mind is just another fiber in this tapestry. Taken purely from a logical standpoint, the answer would seem to be that it is, and I don't know that I disagree with logic.
Lets use a simple mind experiment. Consider that you are standing on a road that forks in front of you. Each direction appears equal differing only in their direction. Which direction do you choose? More importantly, why do you choose one direction over another? What mental processes, conscious or not, cause you to choose a direction. It is my conjecture that no thought is truly random. It could be as simple as subconsciously favoring your left over your right, but my point is there is always a cause to ones choice.
Consider a difference engine. A difference engine is a construct where by choices are made based upon one or more conditions weighted by significance. A completely causal mind is such a construct; granted a highly complex one. In such a case, if a decision is made and then the system (that is, the set of conditions; the data) is reset to its original state (excluding quantum uncertainty) the same choice will be made by a fully causal entity.
Therefore, if we are completely causal, if our minds are governed completely by cause and effect, then an important questions is raised. How can we be held accountable for our actions? If we are nothing but a causal record being played throughout time then how can our preordained actions be held as reason for damnation? (Please, note that I say this with a questioning mind, not a rebellious one. )
View entire "Causal Mind" article
The Causal Dilemma
There seems to be a peculiar dichotomy between the causal universe described by science and the biblical concept of free will. Causality says that, within the context of our universe every event, everything that happens, has a cause. The question is whether the human mind is just another fiber in this tapestry. Taken purely from a logical standpoint, the answer would seem to be that it is, and I don't know that I disagree with logic.
Lets use a simple mind experiment. Consider that you are standing on a road that forks in front of you. Each direction appears equal differing only in their direction. Which direction do you choose? More importantly, why do you choose one direction over another? What mental processes, conscious or not, cause you to choose a direction. It is my conjecture that no thought is truly random. It could be as simple as subconsciously favoring your left over your right, but my point is there is always a cause to ones choice.
Consider a difference engine. A difference engine is a construct where by choices are made based upon one or more conditions weighted by significance. A completely causal mind is such a construct; granted a highly complex one. In such a case, if a decision is made and then the system (that is, the set of conditions; the data) is reset to its original state (excluding quantum uncertainty) the same choice will be made by a fully causal entity.
Therefore, if we are completely causal, if our minds are governed completely by cause and effect, then an important questions is raised. How can we be held accountable for our actions? If we are nothing but a causal record being played throughout time then how can our preordained actions be held as reason for damnation? (Please, note that I say this with a questioning mind, not a rebellious one. )
View entire "Causal Mind" article
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