Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Arthur Geddes on 20/04/2016 17:20:36
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Consider Rodolfo Llinás' "i of the vortex;" excellent articulation of the grounded purpose of mind, to develop & live in the internal map. Philosophical Taoism evolved some time ago, contemporary with Buddhist perspectives; describes nascent idea & honest expression but: it's name, "The Way," suggests to me an honest expression of accurate introspective observation; grounded introspective observations aren't impossible, they just need contextualization. The phenomenology of consciousness cuts through the politics in religion & reveals an attempt at honest introspective description. For example; scientifically speaking, Nasrani Christianities can be said to be more accurate & less delusional that sects which suggest a unity of 'divinity' and humanity.
Dogmatic atheism not appreciated.
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"That Tao which can be spoken is not the eternal Tao"
-Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching
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So...?
Not allowed to discuss the phenomenology of consciousness because of Lao Tzu? Rodolfo Linas' observations are meaningless, because of Lao Tzu?
This is a science forum; so i'm told...?
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Most likely; Lao Tzu was talking about telling people how to live their lives. If he knew you'd think he was telling you not to discuss the science of consciousness; he'd probably rephrase.
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The essence of the Tao Te Ching is that the Tao is ineffable. Therefore you are free to say whatever you please about its meaning, but that will be, I believe, your own interpretation.
Professor Llinas' work deals with the electrophysiology of single neurons. It is quite a leap to go from the action potentials of Giant Squid Neurons to Taoism
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"i of the vortex" deals with more than squid neurons; maybe check it out some time.
The question is in reference to the *name,* "Taoism." &; it's an egg so; not completely ineffable.
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For those unfamiliar with "i of the vortex;" Dr. Llinás suggests that the purpose of consciousness is to build a reliable map & thus facilitate movement of the organism viably through the environment. An excellent description of brain function & well argued assertions about its purpose.
Another insightful scientist is Stephen Lehar; he's done some work on visual cortex: i just saw a video of his on youtube about ontological monism & epistemological dualism. It occurred to me that "Gnosis" has a claim to dualism, seeing as how it's about knowing.
So; to further the question: is the name "Gnosis" grounded in the introspective observation of epistemological dualism?