A Martian, I’m told, recently visited a terrestrial garment factory. He was surprised to see that the boss never touched a sewing machine. Even when she asked someone to order new material, it was only after other minions had brought her details of stock levels, work-inprogress, and garment orders. This woman who calls herself ‘the boss’, the Martian concluded, is a mere puppet, her every action being manipulated by these minions. Her only creative input was to make up a story justifying her instructions.
Students of the literature about the mind may recognize this fable as a metaphor for the way a certain school of neuroscientists describe the conscious mind as a helpless bystander manipulated by unconscious processes – because conscious decisions are always preceded by unconscious activity that shapes the conscious outcome.
Of course, we know the factory boss was only given the information she needed because she’d previously asked for it. I want to argue that, in the same way, the pre-conscious inputs to conscious processes very often arise only because previous conscious activity has served to define issues for unconscious processes to answer. Thus the ‘pre-conscious’ is also ‘postconscious’.
Choosing Words
Consider what happens when we choose a word. Many accounts of this process are inadequate.
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Anselm (1033-1109)
Martin Jenkins recalls the being of the creator of the ontological argument.
Is Brillo Box an Illustration?
Thomas E. Wartenberg uses Warhol's work to illustrate his theory of illustration.
Why is Freedom So Important To Us?
John Shand explains why free will is basic to humanity.
The Funnel of Righteousness
Peter Worley tells us how to be right, righter, rightest.
We're as Smart as the Universe Gets
James Miles argues, among other things, that E.T. will be like Kim Kardashian, and that the real threat of advanced AI has been misunderstood.
Managing the Mind
Roger Haines contemplates how we consciously manage our minds.
lain McGilchrist's Naturalized Metaphysics
Rogério Severo looks at the brain to see the world anew.
Love & Metaphysics
Peter Graarup Westergaard explains why love is never just physical, with the aid of Donald Davidson's anomalous monism.
Mary Leaves Her Room
Nigel Hems asks, does Mary see colours differently outside her room?
From Birds To Brains
Jonathan Moens considers whether emergence can explain minds from brains.