thought

[joe Biggs]

is thought considered energy, matter, non-matter, ect?
if so why would it fall in that category?

is thought an absolute?
or simply individually perceived?

[blackdahlia515]

electrical signals. do with that what you will

[skywalker]

Thought is the concept of a process, which as stated above, is the patterned flow of electricity through the neurons in your brain. It can no more fit into any of those categories as the process of 'wrestling' can. Thought simply happens as a result of our brain's architecture.

[olmeca]

Originally Posted by joe Biggs

is thought considered energy, matter, non-matter, ect?
if so why would it fall in that category?

is thought an absolute?
or simply individually perceived?

b.) simply individually perceived

[Sam_Spade]

Greetings.

Cognition, Thought, Sentience, whatever you will call it is a conception, it's evaded a definitive definition because it is intangible. We know what is the primary cause of it, we have some idea of how it's aspects work.

As the field of neuroscience continues to grow and produce results, we understand the capacity our brains have for thought and cognition and what that all really means.

Yours Truly,
Sam_Spade

[scoobydooby67]

Originally Posted by Sam_Spade

Cognition, Thought, Sentience, whatever you will call it is a conception, it's evaded a definitive definition because it is intangible. We know what is the primary cause of it, we have some idea of how it's aspects work.

pray tell,

what do you think is the "primary cause" of thought?

[Sam_Spade]

Greetings scoobydooby67,

The answer to your question; biology.

Yours Truly,
Sam_Spade

[scoobydooby67]

Originally Posted by Sam_Spade

Greetings scoobydooby67,

The answer to your question; biology.

Yours Truly,
Sam_Spade

thats it?

thats like saying,

"what do you think obama will do if he is elected?"


the answer to your question; politics.

yours truly,
idonthinkthatsyourrealname

[kinetic being]

Biology is the cause of thought? The study of life is the cause of cognition? How is that?

Do you mean that "life" is the cause of thought? So do all forms of life have thought like us? And, how would life be giving rise to thought, without the help of anything else?

[Zylark]

Not to answer for Sam Spade, he can do that himself.

Originally Posted by kinetic being

Do you mean that "life" is the cause of thought?

Why yes. Do you know of any other thinking things besides life, biological beings?

Originally Posted by kinetic being

So do all forms of life have thought like us?

Ofcourse not, don't be silly. The more advanced the brain, the higher cognitive functions achieved.

Originally Posted by kinetic being

And, how would life be giving rise to thought, without the help of anything else?

Evolution. I should think ability to plan and think in abstract terms do have a certain competitive edge over only following instinct. Advanced brains in us was selected upon over other attributes. So we are all in all rather physically weak compared to our traditional prey and natural predators, but we made up for it in planning and adaptation ability. Thus we rule the planet and most eco-systems, and not Tigers for example.

[scoobydooby67]

Originally Posted by Zylark

Why yes. Do you know of any other thinking things besides life, biological beings?

Ofcourse not, don't be silly. The more advanced the brain, the higher cognitive functions achieved.

then it would follow that life is not the cause of thought.

Originally Posted by Zylark

Evolution. I should think ability to plan and think in abstract terms do have a certain competitive edge over only following instinct. Advanced brains in us was selected upon over other attributes. So we are all in all rather physically weak compared to our traditional prey and natural predators, but we made up for it in planning and adaptation ability. Thus we rule the planet and most eco-systems, and not Tigers for example.

these are all effects of thought.

kinetic being asked how life would give rise to thought,

we cant explain origin through consequence.

[kinetic being]

But how does the brain achieve thought?

How could chemicals be translated into language, concepts, ideas, dreams, etc? How do groups of atoms reacting give rise to complex thought, self-awareness, etc?

[Zylark]

It is just a matter of brain complexity. All animals think on some level or other. That we can think, is no more or less fantastic than that we can see, or hear or smell. It is just a function of the competitive nature of evolution. If a trait gives you an edge, superior vision, superior smell, superior physique or superior cognitive functions, that trait tends to be selected upon. Thus going into a positive feedback-loop until the energy needed to push the genetic limit exceeds the resources available.

A more correct question would then be what is life?

[bkadoctaj]

Originally Posted by Zylark

Not to answer for Sam Spade, he can do that himself.

Why yes. Do you know of any other thinking things besides life, biological beings?

Do we have a universally agreed on word for how rocks consider their existence as separate objects within a massive universe of other separate and individual objects? And plants? The possibility exists that plants have an actual "understanding" of their environment that could be called "intelligent" in a certain light.

Ofcourse not, don't be silly. The more advanced the brain, the higher cognitive functions achieved.

Do heartbeat and blood flow matter in terms of cognition?

Evolution. I should think ability to plan and think in abstract terms do have a certain competitive edge over only following instinct. Advanced brains in us was selected upon over other attributes. So we are all in all rather physically weak compared to our traditional prey and natural predators, but we made up for it in planning and adaptation ability. Thus we rule the planet and most eco-systems, and not Tigers for example.

Definitely a convenient wish, right? To think abstractly means more survival... well, depends on what you consider surviving, I guess. Survival of the fittest. I wonder what animals' theories are on human rule.

[Zylark]

Originally Posted by bkadoctaj

Do we have a universally agreed on word for how rocks consider their existence as separate objects within a massive universe of other separate and individual objects?

If you want to think rocks are sentient, then be my guest. You will have a problem proving it though.

Originally Posted by bkadoctaj

And plants? The possibility exists that plants have an actual "understanding" of their environment that could be called "intelligent" in a certain light.

That would be a very dubious light. Naturally plants are aware of certain factors, like temperaure and light, but it do not even begin to approach the level of awareness even simple animals have. Much less us higher animals.

Originally Posted by bkadoctaj

Do heartbeat and blood flow matter in terms of cognition?

Should it? Do you often think of your heartbeat and blood flow? And even if you do, can you control it? Apart from eating right and not letting things upset you too much ofcourse.

Originally Posted by bkadoctaj

To think abstractly means more survival... well, depends on what you consider surviving, I guess.

Not really. No guesswork needed. Apart from our rulers, bacteria, what is the most dominant species on earth?

Yes, we are. I'd call that a very successful survival strategy. Breed for cleverness. Got us out of trouble before, probably will again.

Originally Posted by bkadoctaj

Survival of the fittest. I wonder what animals' theories are on human rule.

That is really simple. They don't have any. Well, perhaps dolphins and some whales do on some level, but even their cognitive functions are less than desirable in a human context.

Oh, and it isn't survival of the fittest per se. It is survival of the ones who can best handle their enviroment.