Tag: Michael Egnor | Page 10

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Denyse O'Leary
Date
June 17, 2021

Categorized
Ethics, Natural Intelligence, Neuroscience

Tagged
Ed Yong, Michael Egnor, Nautilus, Octopus intelligence, Pain, Pain in animals, Robyn Crook}

Octopuses Get Emotional About Pain, Research Suggests

_{The smartest of invertebrates, the octopus, once again prompts us to rethink what we believe to be the origin of intelligence} _{Denyse O'Leary
June 17, 2021

7

Ethics, Natural Intelligence, Neuroscience}

The octopus is becoming a popular creature among neuroscientists. It is a very smart invertebrate with an unusually complex nervous system, organized in a fundamentally different way from that of, for example, mammals. Recently, a researcher has found the first strong evidence that octopuses feel pain, as opposed to merely reacting to it. There are two parts to pain: The natural physical reaction, like a sophisticated alarm system, sets off a chain of involuntary responses. But that chain of responses, by itself, doesn’t prove that any “self” is feeling anything. The alarm system would work just the same in an empty building as in a populated one. The second component can be called “emotional.” The life form experiences the pain Read More ›

Tree brain with human head cape, idea concept of think hope freedom and mind , surreal artwork, dream art , fantasy landscape, imagination of nature

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News
Date
June 5, 2021

Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Benjamin Libet, free will, Free won't, Michael Egnor, Robert J. Marks}

New Paper Provides Further Evidence for Free Will

_{According to the new research, many of the busy brain signals on which the “no free will” position depends on were system noise} _{News
June 5, 2021

6

Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind}

We all sense that free will is real. We know that we could have stopped ourselves from making some mistakes. For decades, some neuroscientists have claimed that free will is an illusion, based on some well-publicized experiments. Some recent research challenges that: Experiments spanning the 1960s and 1980s measured brain signals noninvasively and led many neuroscientists to believe that our brains make decisions before we do—that human actions were initiated by electrical waves that did not reflect free, conscious thought. However, a new article in Trends in Cognitive Science argues that recent research undermines this popular case against free will. “This new perspective on the data turns on its head the way well-known findings have been interpreted,” said Adina Roskies, Read More ›

Human skull with a syringe holds in the mouth and vaccine bottle on space of brown paper, Bad side effect concept

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News
Date
May 31, 2021

Categorized
Ethics, Medicine and Health

Tagged
Abortion, Euthanasia, Michael Egnor}

Michael Egnor: Stop Making Killing a Form of Cure

_{Euthanasia and abortion are not forms of medicine, he says} _{News
May 31, 2021

5

Ethics, Medicine and Health}

Recently, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor pleaded with medical colleagues to take a stronger stand on the rapid normalization of killing as a form of “cure” in our society: The medical profession should take a clear stand on this issue: doctors who deliberately kill — whether by abortion or by physician-assisted suicide or by euthanasia — are not practicing medicine when they kill. Medical practice always entails the maintenance of health, the treatment of disease, and the relief of suffering. Ending the life of a patient or of the child in his mother’s womb is neither the maintenance of health nor treatment of a disease nor the alleviation of any suffering. It is simply the killing of an innocent unwanted child. I Read More ›

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News
Date
May 29, 2021

Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Angus Menuge, Conjoined twins, Featured, Michael Egnor, Personal identity, Robert J. Marks}

Life in the Plural: If There Were Two of You, Would “You” Exist?

_{According to philosopher Angus Menuge, there can’t be two of you, because two things cannot be one thing.} _{News
May 29, 2021

5

Neuroscience, Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind}

In the third podcast of the series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness, including the fact that our experiences are a unity, which has prompted some interesting thought experiments, for example those of Richard Swinburne. But here’s another one: What if there really were two of you? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 06:49 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: What is the idea of “too many thinkers” in philosophy? Angus Menuge (pictured): The simple view of personal identity is that your soul or your mind is always you. That’s a dualist view. Read More ›

Double exposure. A curly-haired brunette is standing in the doorway of the theater. Poster events, personality psychology. Cloak and reincarnation. Fasting alcoholic fears. Bifurcation. Made in camera

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News
Date
May 27, 2021

Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Angus Menuge, Consciousness, Consciousness as unity, Featured, Michael Egnor, Richard Swinburne, Robert J. Marks}

Why Do We Stay the Same Person Over Time? Why Not Split Up?

_{It would be a total fluke if all the different clouds of atoms that produce your brain would always produce the same consciousness. But they do} _{News
May 27, 2021

6

Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind}

In the third podcast of the series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness, including the fact that our experiences are a unity, despite being scattered across many brain regions and even if our brains are split in half: But now let’s do some thought experiments, as proposed by Oxford philosopher Richard Swinburne: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 04:55 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Angus Menuge: There’s another problem raised by [philosopher] Richard Swinburne: He imagines that he’s going to have an operation where each of his cerebral hemispheres is placed in another person. So Read More ›

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News
Date
May 26, 2021

Categorized
Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Angus Menuge, Michael Egnor, Robert J. Marks, split-brain surgery, Sybil (1976 film)}

How Split-Brain Surgery Underlines the Unity of Consciousness

_{At one time, some thought that if the brain were split, consciousness would be too, but that did not turn out to be true} _{News
May 26, 2021

6

Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind}

In the third podcast of a series, “Unity of Consciousness,” Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks interviews Angus Menuge, professor and chair of philosophy at Concordia University, on unique features of human consciousness. They started with the fact that our experiences are a unity despite being scattered across many brain regions. But it’s a remarkable fact that our consciousness remains single even when our brains are split in half: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Angus-Menuge-Episode-3-rev1.mp3 This portion begins at 03:04 min. A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Robert J. Marks: Let’s talk about the split brain operation where a neurosurgeon goes in and separates the right and left hemispheres. As I understand it, the signal for the epileptic fits starts on Read More ›

Purple transparent molecule model over purple

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News
Date
April 22, 2021

Categorized
Mathematics, Science

Tagged
Aristotle, Bruce Gordon, Michael Egnor, Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Physics, Thomas Aquinas}

Could the World Above the Level of the Particle Be Superposed?

_{It’s been done with molecules. After that, there are barriers} _{News
April 22, 2021

6

Mathematics, Science}

As ancient philosophers said, entities in the universe become comprehensible when they are reduced from potentiality to actuality.

IS the Moon There If No One Looks? Or Is There No “There” There?

_{Elementary particles do not need to be in a particular place until they are observed and then that's where they are} _{News
April 21, 2021

7

Mathematics, Philosophy, Science}

The spins of elementary particles can be separated from their positions, just as the grin was separated from the Cheshire Cat.

In Quantum Physics, “Reality” Really Is What We Choose To Observe

_{Physicist Bruce Gordon argues that idealist philosophy is the best way to make sense of the puzzling world of quantum physics} _{News
April 20, 2021

7

Mathematics, Philosophy, Science}

In last week’s podcast,,” our guest host, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor, interviewed idealist philosopher of science and physicist Bruce Gordon on how the quantum physics that underlies our universe makes much more sense if we have a non-materialist view of reality. Even then, it challenges our conventional view of how nature “must” work: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-130-Bruce-Gordon.mp3 A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Michael Egnor: When I was in college, I was a biochemistry major and I took some courses in quantum mechanics. It was noted in the course that when you look at the most fundamental properties of subatomic particles, matter seems to disappear. That the reality of the subatomic particles is that they’re mathematical concepts. It utterly fascinated me Read More ›

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News
Date
April 16, 2021

Categorized
Philosophy, Science

Tagged
Bruce Gordon, Consciousness, Cosmopanpsychism, Featured, Franz Brentano, Idealism, Materialism, Michael Egnor, Panpsychism, Panpsychism (vs. materialism), Thomas Nagel}

A Physicist and Philosopher Examines Panpsychism

_{Idealism says everything is an idea in the mind of God. Panpsychism says everything participates in consciousness (thus is not just an idea)} _{News
April 16, 2021

9

Philosophy, Science}

Bruce Gordon thinks that, for a thing to be conscious, there must be something that it “is like” to be that thing. Can panpsychism demonstrate that?

Why Idealism Is Actually a Practical Philosophy

_{Not what you heard? Philosopher of science — and pianist — Bruce Gordon says, think again} _{News
April 15, 2021

9

Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind}

In last week’s podcast,,” our guest host, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor, interviewed philosopher of science Bruce Gordon on “Idealism and the Nature of Reality.” Idealism is “something mental (the mind, spirit, reason, will) is the ultimate foundation of all reality, or even exhaustive of reality” – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Gordon thinks that idealism is defensible, reasonable, and too easily discarded: https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-129-Bruce-Gordon.mp3 A partial transcript, Show Notes, and Additional Resources follow. Michael Egnor: At its most fundamental level, is reality more like a mind? Or is it more like a physical object? That question — and questions like that — are fundamental to our understanding of nature and our understanding of ourselves, and our understanding of God. I should point out Read More ›

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News
Date
April 11, 2021

Categorized
Philosophy, Religion, Science

Tagged
Atheism, Big Bang, Carl Sagan, Contact (book), Contact (film), Cosmic fine-tuning, DNA, Featured, Fine-tuning, Michael Egnor, Multiverse, Return of the God Hypothesis (book), Steve Meyer}

Why Should We Believe Atheists on the Subject of God?

_{Logic and evidence both point to the existence of God, whatever atheists may think} _{News
April 11, 2021

4

Philosophy, Religion, Science}

Noting a recent article by philosopher Steve Meyer at The Federalist, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor comments, The public square is replete with books and articles written by atheist scientists claiming that cosmology or genetics or evolution properly understood disproves the existence of God. These atheist scientists profoundly misunderstand the implications of their science; they couldn’t be more wrong. As in his new book, The Return of the God Hypothesis, Dr. Meyer points to three particularly clear advances in modern science. Michael Egnor, “The God Hypothesis Versus Atheist Science Denial” at Evolution News and Science Today (April 5, 2021) The three arguments he addresses are ● The Big Bang: “The existence of a moment of beginning of our universe in an almost Read More ›

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Michael Egnor
Date
March 21, 2021

Categorized
Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Aristotle, Benjamin Libet, Blindsight, Brain transplants (partial), Featured, Michael Egnor, senses}

What if only part — not all — of your brain were transplanted?

_{You might end up seeing double out of an eye a thousand miles away} _{Michael Egnor
March 21, 2021

7

Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind}

Recently, we’ve been discussing the concept of total or partial human brain transplants. What about transplanting an eye and the parts of the visual cortex it needs from one person to another? Which of the two people would be seeing out of that eye? The answer is not simple. As noted earlier, researchers may never succeed in transplanting both an eye and the hemisphere brain parts that the eye needs to function from one human being to another. But let’s assume a science fiction scenario — a thought experiment — in which there is an exchange. Jack gets Mary’s right eye/hemisphere and Mary gets Jack’s right eye/hemisphere. Both parties, who live on different parts of the planet, survive. For simplicity, Read More ›

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News
Date
February 21, 2021

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture, Science

Tagged
Casey Luskin, Consciousness, Elon Musk, Martin Rees, Matrix (film), Michael Egnor, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nick Bostrom, Sabine Hossenfelder, Simulation hypothesis}

Theoretical Physicist Argues, the Sim Universe Is Pseudoscience

_{It’s a lot of fun in science fiction and some scitech celebs buy in. But Sabine Hossenfelder and others explain why it’s fiction} _{News
February 21, 2021

6

Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Culture, Science}

Theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder does not like the notion that we are living in a giant computer sim. Elon Musk likes it (“Elon Musk says there’s a ‘one in billions’ chance reality is not a simulation”) and so does Neil deGrasse Tyson (“Neil deGrasse Tyson says it’s ‘very likely’ the universe is a simulation”). Philosopher of science Nick Bostrom advanced that view in a seminal 2003 paper in Philosophical Quarterly. Former Astronomer Royal Martin Rees is sympathetic to it. Some call it the Planetarium hypothesis, when it is cited as a reason we do not see intelligent extraterrestrials. One source offers “15 irrefutable reasons” why, like Neo in The Matrix (1999), we might be living in a universe that is Read More ›

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News
Date
February 20, 2021

Categorized
Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Dreams, Memory, Michael Egnor}

Yes, We Can Communicate With People When They Are Dreaming

_{At one time, the idea of communicating with people while they were dreaming would have been regarded by most scientists as hokey New Age stuff. But now a research group has done it.} _{News
February 20, 2021

5

Medicine and Health, Philosophy of Mind}

A research group surprised the science world by reporting: “We found that individuals in REM sleep can interact with an experimenter and engage in real-time communication,” said senior author Ken Paller of Northwestern University. “We also showed that dreamers are capable of comprehending questions, engaging in working-memory operations, and producing answers. “Most people might predict that this would not be possible — that people would either wake up when asked a question or fail to answer, and certainly not comprehend a question without misconstruing it.” Cell Press, “Real-time dialogue with a dreaming person is possible” at ScienceDaily (February 18, 2021) The paper is open access. There is no clear science explanation for why we dream. But one restriction on dreams Read More ›

Newborn premature baby in the NICU intensive care

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News
Date
February 12, 2021

Categorized
Ethics, Medicine and Health

Tagged
Abortion, Featured, Fetal pain, Fetus, Jonathan Wells, Michael Egnor, Pain}

Do Babies Really Feel Pain Before They Are Self-Aware?

_{Michael Egnor discusses the fact that the thalamus, deep in the brain, creates pain. The cortex moderates it. Thus, juveniles may suffer more} _{News
February 12, 2021

6

Ethics, Medicine and Health}

In last week’s podcast, “Jonathan Wells on Why a Baby Should Live,” neurosurgeon Michael Egnor interviewed molecular and cell biologist Jonathan Wells on that topic, which he discussed in articles at Evolution News and Science Today: (here and here). It’s becoming a hot topic now that a bill to protect babies born alive from abortions from being killed or left to die was recently defeated in the Senate. At the heart of the issue is the conflict between those who believe that all human beings have a right to life and those who believe that children do not have a right to live before they are self-aware. In this segment, Egnor and Wells ask another question: whether a child can Read More ›

Cute Baby Lying On Tummy In Parent's Bed

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News
Date
February 11, 2021

Categorized
Ethics, Medicine and Health

Tagged
Abortion, Demography, Featured, Jonathan Wells, Michael Egnor}

Is There Bias in Terms of Which Babies Are Aborted?

_{Abortion is made easy for Black American women, with abortion clinics strategically located within easy walking distance} _{News
February 11, 2021

6

Ethics, Medicine and Health}

In last week’s podcast, “Jonathan Wells on Why a Baby Should Live,” neurosurgeon Michael Egnor interviewed molecular and cell biologist Jonathan Wells on that topic, which he discussed in articles at Evolution News and Science Today: (here and here). It’s becoming a hot topic now that a bill to protect babies born alive from abortions from being killed or left to die was recently defeated in the Senate. At the heart of the issue is the conflict between those who believe that all human beings have a right to life and those who believe that children do not have a right to live before they are self-aware. In this segment, Egnor and Wells ask, why are Black American abortion rates Read More ›

In vitro image of a human fetus in the womb

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post

News
Date
February 10, 2021

Categorized
Ethics, Medicine and Health

Tagged
Featured, Fetus, Human embryo, Jonathan Wells, legal personhood, Michael Egnor, personhood}

When Does “Human-ness” Really Begin?

_{Jonathan Wells notes that issues around “personhood” are now purely semantic, especially when the case is being made that many animals are persons too} _{News
February 10, 2021

7

Ethics, Medicine and Health}

In last week’s podcast, “Jonathan Wells on Why a Baby Should Live,” neurosurgeon Michael Egnor interviewed molecular and cell biologist Jonathan Wells on that topic, which he has discussed in articles at Evolution News and Science Today: (here and here). It’s becoming a hot topic now that a bill to protect babies born alive from abortions from being killed or left to die was recently defeated in the Senate. At the heart of the issue is the conflict between those who believe that all human beings have a right to life and those who believe that children do not have a right to live before they are self-aware. In unpacking the issues, Egnor and Wells turned to the question of Read More ›

Newborn Alert Baby Boy on Mint Green Blanket

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News
Date
February 8, 2021

Categorized
Ethics, Philosophy of Mind

Tagged
Abortion, Fetus, Francesca Minerva, Jonathan Wells, Michael Egnor, Peter Singer}

Do Infants Really Have a Right to Live?

_{Some argue that children who are not yet self-aware do not have a right to live} _{News
February 8, 2021

8

Ethics, Philosophy of Mind}

In last week’s podcast, “Jonathan Wells on Why a Baby Should Live,” neurosurgeon Michael Egnor interviewed molecular and cell biologist Jonathan Wells on that topic, which he discussed in articles at Evolution News and Science Today: (here and here). It’s becoming a hot topic now that a bill to protect babies born alive from abortions from being killed or left to die was recently defeated in the Senate. There is an academic debate about whether babies, post-birth, have a right to live. Meanwhile, a number of countries are also moving toward child euthanasia, with or without parental consent as well. https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-120-Jonathan-Wells.mp3 A partial transcript follows. This portion begins at 01:13. Show notes and links follow. Michael Egnor: Where did that Read More ›

military troops in action urban environment

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News
Date
January 29, 2021

Categorized
Information Theory

Tagged
Featured, Fine-tuning, Michael Egnor, Robert J. Marks}

What If, Condemned, You Had 12 Friends on the Firing Squad?

_{We try to understand why the universe seems fine-tuned for life} _{News
January 29, 2021

5

Information Theory}

Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor, a frequent contributor to Mind Matters News, interviewed our Walter Bradley Center director Robert J. Marks on the nature of information. In this second part of the interview (here’s the first part), the question comes up: How do we know if something is an accident or not? https://episodes.castos.com/mindmatters/Mind-Matters-118-Robert-Marks.mp3 A partial transcript follows. This portion begins at 11:02. Show notes and links follow. Michael Egnor: Aristotle said that in order to understand any process in nature, you really need to know four causes of that process. Note: The causes, according to Simply Philosophy are material, formal, efficient, and final. The material cause of a thing is what it is made of. A cat, for example, is made of Read More ›