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Search: Posts Made By: MuDPhuD
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 26th April 2019, 06:48 PM
Replies: 656
Views: 36,329
Posted By MuDPhuD
Yes that's exactly what I mean. A theist who...

Yes that's exactly what I mean.
A theist who "knows god" personally, has a "relationship" with him, will disregard all facts in favor of the foregone conclusion that God exists.
It does no good...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 11th April 2019, 11:25 AM
Replies: 656
Views: 36,329
Posted By MuDPhuD
I am not a theist, but I am surrounded by them...

I am not a theist, but I am surrounded by them day to day.

I have on many occasions entered into amicable discussions with them.
I usually begin with my difficulty in deciding which deity is THE...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 12th March 2019, 09:54 AM
Replies: 2,434
Views: 118,756
Posted By MuDPhuD
While we all like to point fingers at our...

While we all like to point fingers at our favorite boogie man, things are decidedly more complex.

Religion and State Failure: An Examination of the Extent and Magnitude of Religious Conflict from...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th July 2018, 08:20 AM
Replies: 369
Views: 18,632
Posted By MuDPhuD
I rather thought the center of libertarian...

I rather thought the center of libertarian absurdities was #1, that the individual is the "basic unit of social analysis".
As has been said "No man is an island".

I agree that "removing the...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th July 2018, 08:11 AM
Replies: 369
Views: 18,632
Posted By MuDPhuD
"These kinds of arguments [brutalist] are...

"These kinds of arguments [brutalist] are narrowly true as regards pure theory... but miss the bigger point of human liberty, which is not to make the world more divided and miserable but to enable...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 9th July 2018, 02:12 PM
Replies: 369
Views: 18,632
Posted By MuDPhuD
This ...

This (https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/key-concepts-libertarianism)seems to be something one can work with as a statement of what Libertarian philosophy is.

1. "Libertarians see the...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 9th July 2018, 12:23 PM
Replies: 1,052
Views: 47,211
Posted By MuDPhuD
Then do proceed...one step at a time, please, so...

Then do proceed...one step at a time, please, so we can verify each premise along the way.
Forum: USA Politics 9th July 2018, 06:07 AM
Replies: 1,006
Views: 143,718
Posted By MuDPhuD
"The Trump administration is freezing payments...

"The Trump administration is freezing payments under an “Obamacare” program that protects insurers with sicker patients from financial losses, a move expected to add to premium increases next year."...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 6th April 2018, 10:13 AM
Replies: 559
Views: 48,477
Posted By MuDPhuD
Obviously the problem of definition, and its...

Obviously the problem of definition, and its corollary, the fallacy of equivocation, make all these discussions difficult.
As I consider it, if a tiny stimulating electrode inserted in the brain...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 6th April 2018, 09:13 AM
Replies: 178
Views: 19,107
Posted By MuDPhuD
I presume the time frame you are referring to as...

I presume the time frame you are referring to as when "lobotomies (http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobotomy)were popular" is the 1940s?
I think I have been through this before.
Neuroscience...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 5th April 2018, 12:24 PM
Replies: 393
Views: 42,396
Posted By MuDPhuD
Unfortunately, instead of "shrugging it off" many...

Unfortunately, instead of "shrugging it off" many theists in my neck of the woods wish to deny facts of science, to prevent the facts of science from being taught in schools, (and substitute the...
Forum: USA Politics 28th February 2018, 04:59 PM
Replies: 3,430
Views: 301,869
Posted By MuDPhuD
Mr.PDJT is simply trying to reverse the effect...

Mr.PDJT is simply trying to reverse the effect his election has had on gun manufacturers' profits.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 12th January 2018, 11:13 AM
Replies: 1,660
Views: 111,191
Posted By MuDPhuD
Let me paraphrase, and you tell me if I am...

Let me paraphrase, and you tell me if I am understanding you:

"Science can't explain all the details, therefore it has nothing to say about the existence of the mind independent of the brain."
...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 12th January 2018, 09:11 AM
Replies: 88
Views: 12,664
Posted By MuDPhuD
What impediments to graduate education do you see...

What impediments to graduate education do you see for yourself?

If you, or any other reader, are interested in understanding the evolution of consciousness, here is a link to an article,
...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th January 2018, 03:31 PM
Replies: 88
Views: 12,664
Posted By MuDPhuD
Again I am truncating you lengthly post and...

Again I am truncating you lengthly post and highlighting for clarity.



Yes, yes, its all very catch phrasey, and neurosciencey, but you have have missed the fundamental point of my critique....
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 9th January 2018, 02:57 PM
Replies: 88
Views: 12,664
Posted By MuDPhuD
I'm going to pare down your post considerably,...

I'm going to pare down your post considerably, and highlight, for focus:



The central idea of your entire thesis is "thought" and thus you may want to spend more time developing an answer to...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 8th January 2018, 01:49 PM
Replies: 1,660
Views: 111,191
Posted By MuDPhuD
If your argument is meant to apply to psychology...

If your argument is meant to apply to psychology alone, OK, I suppose, but neuroscience has produced a mountain of evidence regarding the origin the mind from the activity of the brain which cannot...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 9th December 2017, 12:30 PM
Replies: 35
Views: 5,669
Posted By MuDPhuD
My wifes aunt died after neglecting her cancer...

My wifes aunt died after neglecting her cancer for several years. No treatment. She was about 75. She wanted to go.

Our sister in law found a lump about 7 years ago, diagnosed with CIS, opted for...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 29th November 2017, 10:51 AM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
Sure, this is what I believe to be the case, but...

Sure, this is what I believe to be the case, but would like to
work out a definition of free will that could go either way.


.
This definition seems to presuppose that what it describes does...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 28th November 2017, 04:12 PM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
Also from the link: "While consciousness plays...

Also from the link:
"While consciousness plays no part in the instigation of volitional acts, Libet suggested that it may still have a part to play in suppressing or withholding certain acts...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 28th November 2017, 04:00 PM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
Obviously,, determinism is not free will ...

Obviously,, determinism is not free will


Agree, random choice itself is not "willed". The biological "will" and motivation arises from biological imperatives (must obtain nourishment, must...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 28th November 2017, 09:02 AM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
I am attempting to construct the simplest system...

I am attempting to construct the simplest system where decisions are made with what might be considered "free will" in order to clearly define that term.
Does "not being homo sapiens" preclude free...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 27th November 2017, 02:29 PM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
(Colors are my additions) Are you sure all...

(Colors are my additions)
Are you sure all these usages of "free will" are the same? I think there may be some equivocation of meanings.

My attempt to clarify a definition:

1, Imagine a self...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 16th November 2017, 11:22 AM
Replies: 499
Views: 51,875
Posted By MuDPhuD
A problem arises, of course, when the theists in...

A problem arises, of course, when the theists in charge of grade school curriculum decide that because of this tiny, tiny, tiny, growing ever smaller, kernel of doubt, creation science, or...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 16th November 2017, 10:04 AM
Replies: 499
Views: 51,875
Posted By MuDPhuD
It is easy to argue that the ancient greeks did...

It is easy to argue that the ancient greeks did not take their religious mythos literally, that the stories are meant as allegories. There is no ancient greek to argue his own point of view.

I'm...
Forum: USA Politics 15th November 2017, 08:34 AM
Replies: 362
Views: 39,839
Posted By MuDPhuD
forgot the link: ...

forgot the link:
...
Forum: USA Politics 14th November 2017, 10:42 AM
Replies: 362
Views: 39,839
Posted By MuDPhuD
Here is an interesting related NYT article on the...

Here is an interesting related NYT article on the interaction of politics with social and scientific issues.

"When political elites disagree, their views tend to be adopted first by...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th November 2017, 12:57 PM
Replies: 43
Views: 8,395
Posted By MuDPhuD
A-theism is beneficial because it is an accurate...

A-theism is beneficial because it is an accurate view of the world in which I live.

The theist makes decisions about his life based on a misinformed model of reality, in which a nonexistent being...
Forum: USA Politics 18th October 2017, 01:46 PM
Replies: 3,635
Views: 447,617
Posted By MuDPhuD
I enjoyed that article. Seems that...

I enjoyed that article.

Seems that corporate/business/wealthy tax breaks should be tied to higher wages and benefits for the employees. That would ensure that there was in fact a trickle down of...
Forum: USA Politics 16th October 2017, 03:03 PM
Replies: 167
Views: 23,283
Posted By MuDPhuD
Depends on your definition of absolutely awful......

Depends on your definition of absolutely awful...

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/02/climate/environmental-rules-reversed-trump-100-days.html
...
Forum: USA Politics 16th October 2017, 01:21 PM
Replies: 3,635
Views: 447,617
Posted By MuDPhuD
Yes but I just realized what he really means! ...

Yes but I just realized what he really means!
He said "the highest taxed country in the world", not "the highest TAX RATE"!

If you look at TOTAL TAX REVENUE by country...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 6th October 2017, 09:44 AM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
Obviously I dont know what another person intends...

Obviously I dont know what another person intends to say, but I think this (http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0021612) may be the line of research being mentioned.
"As...
Forum: USA Politics 26th September 2017, 11:54 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 2,619
Posted By MuDPhuD
Hilarious!! Welfare, America's Biggest...

Hilarious!!


Welfare, America's Biggest Business?
By the pie chart posted above, NO!
But you have hit on one good thought. Those who live hand to mouth, the lower and middle class, do SPEND...
Forum: USA Politics 26th September 2017, 11:43 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 2,619
Posted By MuDPhuD
...and no wall necessary! This would solve the...

...and no wall necessary!
This would solve the illegal immigration problem, no doubt, but who will pick the fruit and vegetables? Who will work the 14 hour days roofing? etc, etc.

They come here...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 26th September 2017, 10:38 AM
Replies: 54
Views: 7,845
Posted By MuDPhuD
What you are talking about is described well in...

What you are talking about is described well in the book Thinking Fast and Slow (https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555), as "system 1", the fast thinking system that...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 26th September 2017, 09:01 AM
Replies: 244
Views: 34,727
Posted By MuDPhuD
All quotes have been truncated by me....

All quotes have been truncated by me. Highlighting by me.
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 26th September 2017, 05:53 AM
Replies: 49
Views: 8,551
Posted By MuDPhuD
I suggest you read The Blind Watchmaker...

I suggest you read The Blind Watchmaker (https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Watchmaker-Evidence-Evolution-Universe/dp/0393351491), it will help you to understand evolution, and discusses in detail the...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 25th September 2017, 11:31 AM
Replies: 3
Views: 1,886
Posted By MuDPhuD
Your reticence is well founded. The best...

Your reticence is well founded.

The best place to start is the website of Echo Rock Neurotherapy (http://echorocktherapy.com/), given in the link in your post.
From their home page:
"Insight...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 25th September 2017, 10:51 AM
Replies: 3
Views: 1,886
Posted By MuDPhuD
Yes "neurofeedback" is a real thing, and you can...

Yes "neurofeedback" is a real thing, and you can learn to control aspects of your eeg, and this may have some therapeutic effects, in ADHD, for example.

This is not what LENS is though.
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 25th September 2017, 10:18 AM
Replies: 17
Views: 2,526
Posted By MuDPhuD
The two uses of "trauma" are not the same. ...

The two uses of "trauma" are not the same.

Trauma=Head injury obviously has effects on the brain. CTE is an extreme example, but a simple concussion causes actual damage to neurons, sometimes...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 25th September 2017, 10:05 AM
Replies: 1
Views: 982
Posted By MuDPhuD
Some additional reading if you have not seen...

Some additional reading if you have not seen these already:

http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2605202
...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 21st September 2017, 09:45 PM
Replies: 4
Views: 2,130
Posted By MuDPhuD
I looked at his homepage...

I looked at his homepage (http://www.andrewnewberg.com/research) just now.
Check out his CV. He is an MD radiologist, and was once the "chief fellow" in the Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department...
Forum: USA Politics 13th September 2017, 09:31 AM
Replies: 1,052
Views: 136,657
Posted By MuDPhuD
I didn't say I hated them, only that I can't...

I didn't say I hated them, only that I can't forgive them. I have a hard time seeing their perspective. Same as with my trans sibling. Just can't quite see things from his/her point of view, and I...
Forum: USA Politics 13th September 2017, 09:07 AM
Replies: 1,052
Views: 136,657
Posted By MuDPhuD
I still haven't forgiven the Bush voters from...

I still haven't forgiven the Bush voters from 2000. Mind you I'm not talking about the base. They are what they are. I'm talking about the small number of swing voters who have a choice to make and...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 28th August 2017, 04:13 PM
Replies: 44
Views: 3,844
Posted By MuDPhuD
Here is the article in PNAS ...

Here is the article in PNAS
http://www.pnas.org/content/114/34/9050.abstract

Here is the supporting material which is available without a subscription:...
Forum: USA Politics 28th August 2017, 01:35 PM
Replies: 73
Views: 7,296
Posted By MuDPhuD
Obviously GWB was horrible, from faith based...

Obviously GWB was horrible, from faith based initiatives, to attacking the wrong country, to climate denial, to presiding, dumbfounded, over the economic collapse. I was mortified that he was elected...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th August 2017, 02:56 PM
Replies: 211
Views: 16,183
Posted By MuDPhuD
Neurophysiologist. I think these papers...

Neurophysiologist.

I think these papers address what you are are asking...but you must be careful not to be sloppy with words like "knowing", "experience" and "seeing". Can you see without...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th August 2017, 07:03 AM
Replies: 211
Views: 16,183
Posted By MuDPhuD
exactly!

exactly!
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 9th August 2017, 01:20 PM
Replies: 211
Views: 16,183
Posted By MuDPhuD
In my case the damn music has been playing almost...

In my case the damn music has been playing almost continuously since music lessons in 5th grade, about 45 years ago! It can be extremely distracting.

I never knew there were people could escape...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 9th August 2017, 12:55 PM
Replies: 211
Views: 16,183
Posted By MuDPhuD
So the fact that direct stimulation of a human...

So the fact that direct stimulation of a human brain leads to conscious experiences is not evidence? Turn the current on..."I hear music", turn the current off "its gone", turn the current on... "I...
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