Is mind reading possible Essays - Ontology, Philosophy Of Mind

Is mind reading possible? Introduction Nowadays, science allows us to explain lots of things such as the composition of matter, magnetic fields or the neural activity of the brain. Those things are explained by different theories, all edited by Humans according to their knowledge and their experience. It is good not to forget that those theories are not always necessary true because they are based on some incomplete knowledge of the universe. Sometimes, different theories exist and treat on the same subject, the same area. It involves that some of those theories are true, and some are wrong. But because everything is not always black or white, it means that theories can be opposite so only one of them is true, or they can also complete each other by adding details or explain something where the other ones fail. For instance, theories about the mind are multiples. Nevertheless, even if science can give a good explanation of how the brain works, philosophers, for their part, are shared between different theories of interpre tation of, for example, what is the mind and how it works. They try to determinate the physical degree of the mind, as to know if it is something material or something that supervenes apart from the material world. To answer the question ?Is mind reading possible?, it is necessary to choose a theory of mind and then develop the argumentation around it. This paper tries, not to explain if yes or no, it is possible to read the mind, because this question is a huge existential question and it would be really presumptuous to affirm that it is solved whereas the most talented scientists and philosophers of the world are still encountering some issues with it. However, this paper focus on the explanation of techniques and the explanation of theories of mind from the subjective point of view of its author. Nevertheless, this point of view is built on a reflection issued from a deep implication and researches about the subject to make it as objective as possible. This study is based on different philosophical theories, especially the dualism developed by Descartes and its opposed theory, the Physicalism. This paper also treats the subject of the hypothetical possibility of mind reading from a scientific point of view. That is why it is developed around some examples and experiences about what humans are capable to do in neuroscience. It will introduce methods used nowadays to interact with the brain, how they are used, why they are not sufficient. Because of the specificity of neuroscience and its complexity, the study will not explain anything about any improvement of those techniques and will only focus on their current state. Mixing philosophical theories of mind and researches based on science, some notions will be explained to clarify as much as possible the concept of mind. What is the mind? How possible is it to read it ? What does the word ?read? means exactly. It can also be interesting to develop a point about why humans are interested in mind reading. What applications it could have in every day?s life. How it could be used. Are there some risks about reading something such private as the mind? Finally, and because the Science-fiction is present everywhere, in cinema, in marketing..., this paper will develop a part focused on the comparison between concepts of mind reading which outcome from fiction and the real application or at least the possibility of a real application in our world. This part will also develop an argumentation on how fiction can affect the way we think of mind reading and how it makes it involves. What is mind reading The first thing to be enunciated when developing the question of the hypothetical possibility of mind reading, and which is an essential question for the rest of the argumentation and a good understanding of the subject, is the meaning of ?mind?. What is the mind and how is it represented? As it has been told previously, there are many different theories treating on the subject of the mind. Almost every theory agree to say that the mind is the centre of conscious experience and intelligent thought. It is what that makes the difference between humans and animals. The

deforestation mt. everest essays

deforestation mt. everest essays When examining the effects tourism has on the environment, Mount Everest never comes to mind as high tourist attraction. However, in the last fifty years since Sir Edmund Hillary visited the region in 1953, mountaineering and trekking expeditions have been increasing in the region. With this increase in tourism comes a need for timber and timber related products. Stan Stevens, in this article, tries to determine the causes of degradation and forest thinning in the Sherpa-inhabited Mt Everest region of Nepal. The Sherpas are the local people of the region and have inhabited this area since roughly the 1500s. Although the area around Mt Everest has been a national park in Nepal since 1976, the Sherpas are completely dependant on the land in the area for survival, and thus have had to coexist with the sanctions places upon the region. The paper examines how tourism has placed new pressures on the forests and vegetation regions in the area, and the effect the Sherpas have had on these forests with the creation of inns in the area. The Sherpas using timber from the local forests around Mt Everest built these inns, which are used for the expeditions to the mountains. The increase in tourism has brought about a great deal of prosperity to the Sherpa people, but at the same time the prosperity has come at a cost to the environment. The inns built by the Sherpas have increased the felling of trees. As a result of the increase in tourism, an increase in the need for firewood has also occurred. The increase in tourism has created a need for up to 2000 tons of woods per year by the inns. In 1976, the creation of inhabited protected area, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) National Park, has caused the Sherpas to obtain timber from nearby Pharak forest, which has caused these forests to also begin to thin out. Root causes of the forest degradation and thinning of the forest can be traced to two major factors, economic gain and convenience. ...

Funny Thanksgiving Quotes

Funny Thanksgiving Quotes Thanksgiving celebrations make for great memories. Its not just the food; the atmosphere of warmth, fun, and humor adds to the festivity and contributes to the family legacy. Grandparents have anecdotes to share about their Thanksgiving holidays, and you can create a trove of memories to pass on to the next generation and create a tradition around values such as love, sharing, generosity, and fun. Serve Humor for Thanksgiving One such tradition could be to make Thanksgiving a day of laughter. Encourage your guests to share funny anecdotes, jokes, and quotes after dinner. These funny Thanksgiving quotes are great for a side dish of humor: Alice B. Toklas: American writer What is sauce for the goose may be sauce for the gander but is not necessarily sauce for the chicken, the duck, the turkey, or the guinea hen. George Carlin: American comedian Were having something a little different this year for Thanksgiving. Instead of a turkey, were having a swan. You get more stuffing. Mitch Hedberg: American comedian If you stand in the meat section at the grocery store long enough, you start to get mad at turkeys. There’s turkey ham, turkey bologna, turkey pastrami. Someone needs to tell the turkey, ‘Man, just be yourself. Ambrose Bierce: American writer, journalist (The Devils Dictionary) Turkey: A large bird whose flesh, when eaten on certain religious anniversaries, has the peculiar property of attesting piety and gratitude. Ellen Orleans: American author I have strong doubts that the first Thanksgiving even remotely resembled the ‘history’ I was told in second grade. But considering that (when it comes to holidays) mainstream America’s traditions tend to be overeating, shopping, or getting drunk, I suppose it’s a miracle that the concept of giving thanks even surfaces at all. Kin Hubbard: American cartoonist, journalist A lot of Thanksgiving days have been ruined by not carving the turkey in the kitchen. Erma Bombeck: American humorist, columnist (No One Diets on Thanksgiving) What were really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? Cornelius Plantinga Jr.: American theologist It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone in the institution seems to be thankful in general. Its very strange. Its a little like being married in general. Alton Brown: TV personality, author Thats the ultimate goal of most turkey recipes: to create a great skin and stuffing to hide the fact that turkey meat, in its cooked state, is dry and flavorless. Does it have to be that way? No. We just have to focus on what the turkey is and what the turkey needs. Ted Nugent: American rock musician If you want to save a species, simply decide to eat it. Then it will be managed- like chickens, like turkeys, like deer, like Canada geese. Russell Baker: American humor columnist It was dramatic to watch my grandmother decapitate a turkey with an ax the day before Thanksgiving. Nowadays the expense of hiring grandmothers for the ax work would probably qualify all turkeys so honored with gourmet status. Jim Davis: American cartoonist Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. Jon Stewart: American comedian, commentator I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land. Johnny Carson: American comedian, talk show host Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often. Anonymous May your stuffing be tastyMay your turkey be plump,May your potatoes and gravyHave nary a lump.May your yams be deliciousAnd your pies take the prize,And may your Thanksgiving dinnerStay off your thighs!

Virtue Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Virtue Ethics - Essay Example Kant expresses that the will of the people to treat others as an end rather than a means, defines the rightness of their action (Pojman and Tramel 23-27). He explains that human beings can only act right if they treat other people with fairness. Evidently, human beings consider the virtuous people as those who treat others fairly, with dignity and positive attitude. On this ground, the idea of Kant that moral rightness as the ability to treat others fairly is universally practical. (Pojman and Tramel 23-27).Kant paints the image of a person as a legislator of kingdom, to direct people on how they should act morally. The interpretation of this statement is that human beings should act as if they are designing universal law that applies not only to them but also to other moral agents. In this statement, the philosopher urges human beings to act in such a way that their actions are exemplary and that others should follow the same direction. Thus, if one does a bad thing, then he invites others to act the same way, as this would be legislating a new law in the universal kingdom. On this ground, human beings should act in such a way that their actions are fairto others and the results of these actions are positive. Trammel (24) states that Kant’s philosophy can best be understood as being committed to the theme of rightness as fairness.  From a close examination, Kant alludes to the idea that the morality of an action can be assessed by the extent to which it is fair to the recipient. The role that morality should play in our lives is a topic that garnered attention from numerous philosophers. Wolf (419-439) is among the scholars who focused on the way human beings apply morals on their life. She states that human beings should not strive to live a saintly life as this was be too good to the extent of denying themselves happiness. She agrees that human beings should treat others not as a means but

Vocabulary Game Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vocabulary Game - Essay Example Step 1: Initially the teacher explains to identify opposites by drawing or showing pictures. (Pre-lesson). Step 2: The teacher calls one child to come and pick up a card from the first set. Step 3: The child comes and picks up a card from the first set. (E.g. card having a picture of an elephant). The teacher asks how the elephant is big or small. Step 4: The child answers her question (other children clap) and the teacher writes the word on the board. Step 5: The teacher calls another student to pick up a card from the second set having a card with the opposite picture (ant). Step 6: The child comes and picks up the card (E.g. card having a picture of an ant). The teacher asks how the ant is big or small. Step 7: The child answers her question and the teacher writes the opposite word on the board. The above steps are repeated till all the cards are completed. Step 8: Then the teacher takes a card from the third set having both the pictures (elephant and ant) with words written (big and small). She says aloud both the words

Salome by Oscar Wilde Essay -- Salome Oscar Wilde Essays

Salome by Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde’s gruesome and controversial play begs and important question. Who is Salome? In the bible this woman is not even given a name. She is the daughter of Herodias who dances for the pleasure of her stepfather, Herod. Perhaps the very fact that she remains unnamed is part of the mystery and problem that is Salome. There was no need to name this type of woman in patriarchal Christian religion. Yet, Salome’s story continues to inspire and terrify both her champions and her harshest critics. In writing Salome Wilde gives this figure both an identity and a desire. But just what does this identity and subsequent desire represent? Throughout the play Salome is subjected to the male gaze. Both the Young Syrian and Herod continually look at her. They are both warned not to do so. The Page of Herodias tells the Young Syrian, â€Å"Why do you look at her? You must not look at her†¦Something terrible may happen.† Herod is similarly warned by his wife, â€Å"You must not look at her! You are always looking at her!† Aside from their own desires, why would these two characters believe that looking at Salome is so dangerous? This could be an acknowledgement of the power of looking and the subsequent power that Salome gains from being looked at. Scopophilia is not only the pleasure and power of looking, but also the pleasure and power of being looked at. Salome is aware of this type of power. She says, â€Å"Why does the Tetrarch look at me all the while with his mole’s eyes under his shaking eyelids? It is strange that the husband of my mother looks at me like that. I know not what it means. Of a truth I know it too well.† Salome realizes that Herod is viewing her as a sexual o... ...y? Whatever the reason Salome is destroyed by men immediately after she receives the satisfaction of kissing Jokanaan’s severed head. Perhaps the figure of Salome is much like the moon in this play. It reflects whatever the onlooker hopes to see. To those who wish to view Salome as the original femme fatal, she is reflected as dangerous and grotesque. To others, who encourage her rebellion, she is an icon for artistic self-reflection. Representations of Salome are varied and many. They are constantly evolving with shifts of collective experience. In any event, Salome has earned the name denied to her in the bible. She is to some a heroine, to others a pornographic object, and still others a dangerous threat to patriarchal order. She has many identities and even more desires, yet she continues to fascinate and repulse, as her mystery is unraveled.

Mobile Phone and Children

Should children be allowed to own and use mobile phones? Mobile phones keep children safe Mobile phones keep children safer, as it is easier for parents to stay in touch with their children and for children to contact someone in an emergency. Through calls and texts, parents can know where their child is and be reassured that he or she is safe; all the while their children know they are never more than a phone call away from help. As Leslie Sharpe argues, ‘I wanted to ensure that they had a way of contacting me in an emergency’.It is, however, true that some children carrying the most sophisticated or ‘Smart’ phones are more susceptible to being robbed, but thieves are always after something new. Phones now are both much more widespread and security coded, so the benefits to thieves are no longer as great or immediate. Traffic accidents that are the result of children being distracted by their phones while walking across roads should be blamed on bad safety education rather than on the actual phones.Ultimately, mobile phones provide parents and young people with peace of mind and children with a safety net in emergencies, whether calling parents or the emergency services. Children should be comfortable with modern technology Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now a normal part of modern life, used by everyone from toddlers to pensioners. So children need to grow up making use of technology such as mobile phones if they are to be able to fully participate in contemporary society. The average age at which children get their first mobile phone is eight according to a recent study.To prevent a child from having a mobile phone at that age is to put them at a clear social disadvantage compared with their peers. Mobile phone use develops skills for the modern workplace with its need for tech-savvy employees with communication skills and the ability to work flexibly. In any case, children often have better phone manners than adu lts – they are less likely to shout into the phone, more likely to text discreetly, and more aware of text and phone etiquette. Such manners are the direct consequence of familiarity with the device and an understanding of appropriate use in certain contexts.Mobile phones encourage the development of independence and interpersonal skills Education is as much about the growth in character and dealing with risks as it is the accumulation of knowledge; mobile phones provide for children a means to converse with peers, develop friendships and resolve disputes, all within minutes of each other, night and day. For them, ‘getting a cell phone is a step towards independence and a status symbol among their friends’. The confidence and self-esteem derived from having a mobile phone cannot be underappreciated, as proven by the corresponding negative impact of losing one’s phone.An Independent study in 2004 found that 55 per cent of people cited ‘keeping in touc h with friends or family as the main reason for being wedded to their handsets'. Furthermore, the increasing potential of smart phones facilitates the accessing of information in real-time and on the move; a determined child with a grasp of the potential of their mobile phone can illuminate themselves on matters like directions to destinations, opening times for activities and immediate weather forecasts.With such information, children can begin to reason with each other and make decisions without resort to more mature advice. Schools can implement programs to encourage responsible and considerate mobile phone use All technological platforms have the potential to be abused or act as a negative medium, what is important is that children are taught to use their mobile phones responsibly. Schools should introduce programs and classes that teach children not only how important the devices are to their personal safety, but also how to exploit the advantages of the software.All children w ith sufficiently smart mobile phones should know how to find out where they are at any given time using map functions, and how to use the internet to find information on the go but to be vary of revealing their location to others and possible commercial exploitation of certain location based services. This advice should be taught alongside warnings about the limits of mobile phone technology, ensuring that the children don’t trust them blindly but use them as verification tools or means of starting enquiries.What should emerge is an environment where phones can be used as teaching tools and facilitating social cohesion rather than simply being a distraction in class. There are long-term health risks to mobile phone use Mobile phones are medically safe for children to use – we should ignore scare stories in the media. The latest research has not proved that mobile phones damage brain cells. Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, has been quoted as sa ying ‘the risk of brain cancer is similar in people ho use mobile phones compared to those who don’t, and rates of this cancer (glioma) have not gone up in recent years despite a dramatic rise in phone use during the 1980s’. Furthermore, the European Union’s public health body concluded in 2008 that ‘mobile phone use for less than ten years is not associated with cancer incidence. Regarding longer use, it was deemed difficult to make an estimate’. Even those earlier studies that suggested there might be a problem thought that people would have to use a cell phone for hours a day for there to be an effect.It is true that there is no 100% proof that mobile phones are safe to use, but that is true of any scientific study. Further investigation should be encouraged, but without conclusive proof, the benefits of mobile phone use will continue to far outweigh the costs. Mobile phones are too expensive for children Mobile phones are not too expensive for children – children use pocket money to buy credit and often inherit ‘hand-me-down’ handsets initially. As noted by the opposition, basic models are cheap and the subscription itself is at the mercy of the buyer. Parents can always say â€Å"no† or set limits on what the children can spend.With modern payment plans children can be given a set amount of credit for calls and texts. Learning to work within financial limits is an important part of growing up. In any case, many young people have part-time jobs so they are spending their own money, not their parents and learning to control use and financially managing phone use is a very good skill to learn. Nevertheless, even if it were the case that mobile phones are too expensive, that does not render their ability to keep children safe negligible, for one cannot place a price on a child’s safety. Mobile phones are inappropriate distractions in schoolMobile phones are now a valuable part of studen t life. They can be used for ‘creating short movies, setting homework reminders, recording a teacher reading a poem and timing science experiments’. Moreover, because parents feel their children are safer carrying a phone, they are more likely to allow them to travel to school on their own rather than driving them. This promotes greater independence for the children, while taking traffic off the roads which is environmentally-friendly. Like many other things, mobiles can be distracting in class but this doesn’t mean they should be banned. Many chools allow – some actively encourage – phones to be carried providing they are turned off in lesson. Mobile phones are open to abuse Anything can be abused or used to harm other person, including pencils and paper. New technology carries some risks but we should not be rushed into panic measures. Children got hold of pornography, gambled and bullied each other long before mobile phones were invented. The rel ationship between childhood and new mobile technologies is complex. These problems won’t go away if we ban phone use – they can only be dealt with through good parenting and moral education.In the meantime, parents can get phones which block inappropriate content, and ensure that their children do not have credit cards to pay for it. They should make sure that children know how to report abuse or what to do if they receive inappropriate material on the phone. An American company Disney Mobile is also one of an increasing number of phone makers who ‘provides families with mobile phones specifically designed for tweens, young teens and parents who want to keep an eye on them’. The potential for the abuse of mobile phones is low if parents are informed and vigilant and ensure they buy their children the right phone and right plan.