not primary texts, but edited and often radically abbreviated versions of what must have been longer and more elaborate
inscriptions were not primary texts, but they were edited to abbreviated versions of what must have been a longer and more elaborate version.
automaton
"A moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being."
he could be having at the same time two series of thoughts and sensations, in having each of which he is unaware of having the other.
I find this very cool. Being able to have 2 completely different thought sequences, one of which he's unaware of the other is fascinating to me.
Christian Platonist
A Christian Platonist is one who seeks the principles of being in the Good. https://mosesatticizing.com/blog/christian-platonism-an-introduction
it must be allowed, that, if the same consciousness (which, as has been shown, is quite a different thing from the same numerical figure or motion in body) can be trans-ferred from one thinking substance to another, it will be possible that two thinking substances may make but one person.
How can this even be possible? I'm confused on what he's trying to say.
That’s what free will is. Or rather, this is what free will would be, if in fact we have it.
It's interesting for him to say "that's what free will is" and then go back and say "if we have it". There's uncertainty in his words. I think that it would be hard to explain what free will is, if we didn't already demonstrate it.
“torn situations” and we settle them without stopping to think about it,
but why do we settle without thinking about the decision we're making? Is it because it's insignificant?
These capacities for conscious deliberation, rational thinking and self-control are not magical abilities
I feel that if these abilities weren't magical, then any animal would be able to demonstrate them.
Our brains are the most complexly organized things in the known universe
I find it fascinating how the brain works. Our special abilities have allowed us to change our world drastically.
Any crime, however heinous, is in principle to be blamed on antecedent conditions acting through the accused’s physiology, heredity and environment.
Not always. I feel that just because someone had grown up, for example, in or around a toxic family/environment, they have the power to be different. They can be the first to diverge from that toxic environment and become a leading figure. It won't be easy but it's definitely possible.
When a child robs an old lady, should we blame the child himself or his parents? Or his school? Negligent social workers?
I think it also depends on the child's age. If he's old enough to know and understand that it's wrong to rob someone, then we would blame the child himself.
Remarkably, subjective experience seems to emerge from a physical process. But we have no idea how or why this is
I think this statement does not support the idea of how consciousness emerges from physical process. The author commented about how the experiences of vision is linked with the visual cortex. He just mentioned that it could also arise from physical process. I am not sure why he added that if he will not explain how.
Rather the laws will serve as a bridge, specifying how experience depends on underly-ing physical processes.
It is interesting how laws play an important role. It helps relate experience to elements of physical theory and as the author stated it acts as a bridge. Without laws, it is hard to interpret or relate physical theory.
detail of the argument is technical and difficult,
I think it is quite interesting that he identified argument as technical and difficult. However, he's arguing and providing details and examples to support behaviorism which I find ironic. I agree that arguments can be technical and difficult if you are not ready for it.
t is not simply that I would speak or act if some conditions that are unfulfilled were to be fulfilled.
Why would we not be able to speak about it? Is it because it is our thoughts and thoughts must be kept in our brain? Or is it because it is not our job to fulfill what needs to be fulfilled? Also, relating it to myself, sometimes i keep my thoughts to myself, however, it is important to speak our thoughts to accomplish things.
And I am as certainly the same being who imagines; for although it may be (as I before supposed) that nothing I imagine is true, still the power of imagination does not cease really to exist in me and to form part of my thought.
How can one fully exist if their imagination doesn't exist in them? I feel that imagination is a necessity for survival.
I am there-fore, precisely speaking, only a thinking thing, that is, a mind (mens sive animus), understanding, or reason, terms whose signification was before unknown to me
I think that speaking your thoughts, helps you understand yourself more.
it provides its foundation stones
I think it is very interesting that philosophy is the foundation of science. Before reading this article and opening my mind, I would say research and scientific knowledge are the foundation stones of science and it is our way of understanding it. Philosophy is very intriguing and is an important aspect in science.
logically
What is the difference between casually and logically? How can we apply those in different examples?
he life of the instinctive man is shut up within the circle of his private interests: family and friends may be included, but the outer world is not regarded except as it may help or hin-der what comes within the circle of instinctive wishes
what does he mean by it is shut up? Does he refer to a world that does not help his interests but hinders it? What if the world can give him/provide him with ideas he never had? What if it helps identify some of his strongest skills?
dogmatically
Being certain that you're right and everyone else is wrong.
immaterial ghosts/spirits could never be seen, heard or felt.
If immaterial ghosts can never be heard or felt, why do some people experience ghost "activity" or ghost presence? For example, some people experience object movement, unexplained sounds, or hearing whispers/footsteps. If we couldn't hear, see or feel immaterial ghosts/spirits, then why do some people experience these things?
sentience
"The capacity for sensation or feeling."
etiology
"The study of causation or origination."