When and How Unconscious Processes Matter

From: Lee Corbin <lcorbin.domain.name.hidden>
Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2005 16:10:10 -0700

Brent wrote

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brent Meeker [mailto:meekerdb.domain.name.hidden]
> Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 8:39 AM
> To: Everything-List
> Subject: RE: Functionalism and People as Programs


> I think there is considerable evidence to support the view that human level
> intelligence could be achieved by a (non-quantum) computer and that human
> intelligence and consciousness are dependent on brain processes; e.g. see the
> many studies of brain damaged patients. Also, I think it is well established
> that consciousness corresponds to only a small part of the information
> processing in the brain.

Yes.

> That's something that bothers me about the discussion of "observer
> moments" with the implication that only the conscious "observation"
> matters.

That's an interesting point.

I could retort that if it's unconscious, then it doesn't matter.
But that sounds too facile. That is, how do I know that the
quality of life is really the same were (over any moment) my
unconscious processes omitted?

Now, firstly, one is sort of aware of certain unconscious processes.
For example, a moment later, you may become aware that you were
tapping your foot.

What would you say about us substituting "conscious and unconscious
experience" for "conscious experience" in our discussions OMs?
That would be fine with me. It would allow us to bypass your
point and continue to address what we were talking about.

But I do feel that perhaps you are onto something here that maybe
should not be bypassed.

Lee
Received on Sat Jun 04 2005 - 19:16:05 PDT