From newshub.ccs.yorku.ca!torn!utcsri!rutgers!ub!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!nic.umass.edu!m2c!applix!chris Thu Jul  9 16:19:55 EDT 1992
Article 6377 of comp.ai.philosophy:
Path: newshub.ccs.yorku.ca!torn!utcsri!rutgers!ub!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!nic.umass.edu!m2c!applix!chris
>From: chris@applix.com (Chris Howell [ext 238])
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: On Study of Human Experiences and Introduction to Raja Yoga
Keywords: Human experiences, foundations of science and religions, consciousness
Message-ID: <1612@applix.com>
Date: 26 Jun 92 20:28:13 GMT
References: <9908@scott.ed.ac.uk> <J1HymB2w164w@cybernet.cse.fau.edu>
Organization: Applix, Inc., Westboro, MA
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Questions of mind and consciousness are important in several spiritual
traditions. Besides the Raja Yoga recently mentioned, buddhist
philosophy and practice is very concerned with the nature of mind.

I left off the study of consciousness in graduate school Computer
Science dept. some 20 years ago to make a living in software
engineering.  At that time, the facts of mind and experience seemed as
basic to an understanding of how we work as did facts of
neurophysiology and mathematics.

I was coming to the conclusion that things are not as they seem.  The
assumption that there is an objective reality out there, independent of
mind, in which processes occur that somehow cause subjective
experience, often lead me to contradictions. AI is an area of study
that brings these contradictions into sharp focus.

At that time I began the practice of buddhist meditation, which can be
said to be a method of investigating mind. I have been doing this for
20 years and have found that the same issues of mind and body are of
central importance. I have no conclusions to offer.

But I would like to point out that spiritual practices may be a form of
experimental philosophy, which should not be dismissed by those who are
exploring psycho-physical issues from a philosophic point of view.

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Chris Howell                   Applix, Inc.          (508) 870-0300 x238
chowell@applix.com OR          112 Turnpike Road
...!uunet!applix!chowell       Westboro MA 01581
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