From newshub.ccs.yorku.ca!torn!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!olivea!decwrl!decwrl!netcomsv!netcom.com!lamorte Mon Nov  9 09:36:49 EST 1992
Article 7518 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: lamorte@netcom.com (R. Scott LaMorte)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: Simulated Brain
Message-ID: <1992Nov5.181001.15077@netcom.com>
Date: 5 Nov 92 18:10:01 GMT
References: <1992Nov2.075221.5460@netcom.com> <NFcqTB2w165w@CODEWKS.nacjack.gen.nz>
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>> 
>> AYes, but not as much as it woulf if you were *really* on the ride.
>> Thinking the event is not the same as experiencing the event.

>Yes, but it surely thats because the BRAIN isn't as convinced that its 
>on the ride, as opposed to the body. I don't think your response has 
>any comment on my point, which is that it really is the brain 
>controlling the body, and the body with all its hormones, etc, really 
>has a very limited repertoire of brainless (or below conscious brain) 
>response.

>I've never tried it, but I imagine that if you slugged me unconscious, 
>strapped me in a roller coaster, and turned it on, my body would 
>exhibit little or none of the changes it would while I was conscious.

>> 
>> Well, I've read some theories that state that to some degree many of
>> our behaviors are hard-wired responses. If I toss something in your
>> face, you blink. While your eyes certainly aren't plugged directly to
>> your eyelids, certainly the process skip conscious awareness.

>Hmmmm, does anyone know if I would blink if I was knocked out, and had 
>something thrown at my eyes (which are open, but very glazed by now)??

Point taken! Was I was trying to say, though, is that not all
responses require conscious control. I think our definitions of
consciousness are off here (oh no!).

I think if hit you on the side of the head with, say, a large lead
pipe, and then propped you up and tapped your knee with a little hammer,
it would probably kick.

That wasn't my main point though. My main point was that many reaction
occur before our counscious mind has awareness of the stimulus. *I*
don't have to take the time to think about blinking when you throw
something at me, that response is hard-wired *in the brain.* "I" only
become aware of it after the fact.

Hmm. Just reminded me of a quote. "How do I know what I am going to
say until I hear myself say it?" (paraphrased). Perhaps awareness as I
describe it is just a recording device, and all reactions are
automatic? (just a thought...)
.


