Exploring Consciousness: An Inside Look at the Mind's Working - Essay Sample

Introduction

The central idea of David Chalmers, "How do you explain consciousness?" entails the subject of experiences in the mind and the world. Chalmers explores the topic of consciousness by dwelling on the mind's happenings, the inner functioning of one's mindfulness.

Conclusion

An exploration into the mind's working reveals a great deal of information into the structure of the mind. At the same time, it also shows the general framework and the structural nature of consciousness. Research and insight into the mind's workings have helped people understand some of the essential details and information about the human mind.

Summarize

One of the essential concepts raised by Chalmers remains the functionality and essence of consciousness in an individual's life. The consciousness serves a critical fundamental function; thus, understanding its relevance remains one of the most vital journeys an individual can undertake (Chalmers, 2014). At the same time, asking relevant questions can reveal more about the complexity of consciousness concerning day-to-day living.

Personal Thoughts

Chalmers's talk about consciousness raises more questions than answers. However, the talk gives a critical insight into one of the most fundamental aspects of mind functionality. One can find ways of comprehending the universe and humanity in understanding and coming to terms with the complexity and functionality of consciousness.

The Human Behavior Experiments

Central Idea

The central idea of the 43-minute video explores human conduct in diverse situations and under various circumstances (Gibney, 2014). The narrator looks into some of the world's most shocking and bizarre acts that raised questions about human behavior. From typical day to day ignorance, inhuman acts, and pain inflicted by others, the narrator questions how far human beings can go in inflicting pain and acting in the most bizarre acts ever known.

Conclusion

The documentary using various cases spanning from 1994 involving multiple murders, rituals, tortures, and fatal attacks drives home one important point; herd mentality. According to the documentary, people tend to help others when alone but remain reserved when, in the majority, waiting to follow cues. The documentary reveals that human behaviour remains unsettling and riveting.

Summarize

Human nature and behaviour quickly transforms according to circumstances and in the face of intense circumstantial situations. Simultaneously, human behaviour has multiple psychological blanks that show their far-fetched ability to lose basic decency and perspective while under the influence of a powerful force, dynamic group, or authority.

Personal Thoughts

Human beings have weird thoughts. A human being's way and trend of thinking find more influence from external elements than from their inner ability to take charge and control of their thinking process. One's actions and behaviour stem from external factors, and others find their acts gravely influenced by others rather than their ability to think. The same overrides their hereditary conduct leaving an individual at the whims of unknown dark forces.

Free Will, Part II: Replies to Determinism

Central Idea

Chang’s talk revolves around replies to determinism under the topic of free will. The lecture analyzes the problem of free will, hard determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism (soft determinism). According to Chang, hard determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism offer different perspectives to the problem of free will.

Conclusion

Libertarianism, hard determinism, and compatibilism all provide different understandings and perspectives on free will. Hard determinism and libertarianism deny that people have free will. At the same time, compatibilism (soft determinism) denies any tension and compatibility between the three and free will.

Summarize

Even if determinism is true, human beings still have no free will that is according to compatibilism. The problem of free can be analyzed through diverse perspectives, which entail compatibilism, libertarianism, and hard determinism (Chang, 2015). All three differ in their views on the question of free will, according to Chang.

Personal Thought

Soft determinism or hard determinism remains a threat to the concept of free will. Compatibilism alleges that determinism and free will remain mutually compatible, they may present illogical consistencies, situations that give little connection and causes with metaphysics. The three concepts all represent different ways of thinking and actions but differ only in their moral responsibility and actions.

Sextus Empiricus and Ancient Skepticism

Central Idea

The primary concept of the talk entails knowledge. The speaker analyzes the possibility of human beings having as the external world and surroundings. According to Sextus Empiricus and ancient skepticism, knowledge at the external world remains impossible (Chang, 2015). The lecture covers the basics of Skepticism, Sextus Empiricus on doubt and an argument for skepticism.

Conclusion

Chang concluded that through questioning and assessment of the knowledge, one could decipher through logical and illogical misjudgments. At the same time, the speaker argued skepticism provides a rational framework; one can work out their judgment through impartial and sensible deliberations.

Summarize

Skepticism forms an essential aspect of knowledge acquisition, and individuals have the opportunity to review or suspend their beliefs in judgment until they have had a chance to ascertain their decisions by way of rationality and practical assessment.

Personal Thoughts

Questioning forms an essential aspect of knowledge acquisition. At the same time, it helps in reviewing the investigation of knowledge, and attainable and logical framework that helps resolve problems with expertise. Analysis and research form a critical aspect of knowledge acquisition, and one should delve into assessing and reviewing all criticisms and views.

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Central Idea

Chang continues assessing questions revolving around knowledge. The primary idea and talk entail a comparison of rationalism vs. empiricism (Chang, 2015). According to Chang, rationalism entails basing one’s actions and opinions on knowledge and reason instead of emotional reaction or belief. On the other hand, Chang maintained that empiricism entails acquiring knowledge via experience primarily through senses.

Conclusion

Chang concludes that empiricism and rationalism both entail ways by which individuals acquire knowledge. Despite having different perspectives, and getting support from other premises, the concept of knowledge acquisition depends on circumstances and individual perception.

Summarize

The debate looked into how individuals acquire knowledge. The main ways of knowledge acquisition include rationalism and empiricism (Chang, 2015). Taken from different arguments such as John Locke’s perceptions, the two schools of thought provide unique ways and methods by which knowledge is acquired and established.

Personal Thoughts

Individuals use both rationalism and empiricism to acquire and develop knowledge on a given subject. Children will integrate their emotional learning and knowledge acquisition with their reasoning that takes the form of mindfulness or rationality. The child thus develops knowledge by incorporating various ways of attaining new information.

Moral Objectivism vs. Relativism (Ethics and Objectivity)

Central Idea

Chang compares moral objectivism and relativism under ethics and objectivity. According to Chang, moral objectivism entails viewing something as wrong or right in line with what one believes is wrong or right (Chang, 2015). On the other hand, Chang maintained that relativism entails upholding morality, truth, or knowledge concerning one’s historical, social, and cultural context and remain unconditional. The basis of knowledge, ethics, or truth forms the central aspect of the talk by Chang.

Conclusion

Chang provides an argument based on Rachel’s readings that side with moral objectivism. Chang provides an argument for moral relativism that includes argument from disagreement, a view from lack of proof, and metaphysical argument.

Summarize

Moral objectivity and relativism provide a critical basis for analyzing issues (Chang, 2015). Taken from Rachel’s argument, Chang maintains that Rachel offers a good view in favour of relativism with a practical in-depth assessment of metaphysical situations.

Personal Thoughts

Individuals integrate both moral objectivism and relativism while assessing ethical and social issues. Depending on one’s historical, rightness or wrongness, social and cultural settings, morality remains critical philosophical perspectives and schools of thought of analyzing morality.

Utilitarianism

Central Idea

The central idea entails Utilitarianism. According to the speaker, Utilitarianism is a moral theory that defines the rightness or wrongness of an issue, and it mainly focuses on the outcome of the subject (Chang, 2015). Chang maintained that Utilitarianism focuses on the choice that produces the best for the largest number.

Conclusion

Chang concludes that the moral decision to make under Utilitarianism is that decisions will produce the greatest happiness. The principle of utility also affects all persons equally. The utility also has both long and short term consequences.

Summarize

The main points of the lecture include Utilitarianism as an amoral, secular, and consequentialist theory (Chang, 2015). The utility mainly focuses on human good, pleasure, and happiness for the largest number. According to the theory, a morally right action entails that which produces the best and greatest happiness

Personal Thoughts

Utilitarianism stands a secular framework focusing on humanity and happiness for an entire society. The theory remains one of the best approaches to promoting human good by concentrating on its result. Through this, individuals stay focused on promoting the best outcome for the greatest number of people.

Abortion Marquis Argument

Central Idea

The principle idea of the lecture revolves around the immorality of abortion. According to Chang, Marquis argues that killing a fetus remains a wrong act irrespective of the action's reasons (Chang, 2015). Chang maintains that all through his argument, Marquis avoids any religious or God confrontation.

Conclusion

Abortion remains a wrong action for the same reason for killing an adult. The killing remains an immoral act due to what it does to the victim. According to the Marquis theory, abortion remains a wrong act as it deprives the fetus of its future value.

Summary

Abortion remains a morally wrong act due to what it does to its victims (Chang, 2015). Just as killing an adult remains a morally wrong act, killing a fetus who shares similar values portends an immoral act.

Personal Thoughts

Abortion remains an immoral act. However, if a doctor recommends it to save the mother's life, the action entails a morally acceptable act. The action only remains wrong if undertaken without any clinical reason that involves saving a mother's life.

Distributive Justice

Central Idea

The theory of justice entails John Rawls' criticism of the social distribution of products in the market. According to Rawls, society needs a restructuring plan in which members have access to the significant liberty, given with the notion that no member should infringe on other members (Chang, 2015). At the same time, inequalities such as economic and social need permission if it shall fall under the same distribution system.

Conclusion

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