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Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#1New Post! Mar 29, 2012 @ 23:56:50
"To what extent are the senses a reliable guide to existence?"
sister_of_mercy On March 11, 2015




London, United Kingdom
#2New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:00:30
That sounds like an exam question I had a few years ago

I think they're better than having an idealist view of existence (the whole tree falling in the forest thing), but senses are subject to error and distortion so one should use our rational capacity to ensure that what our senses are telling us is the truth.

The fact that we have a rational capacity that doubts, affirms, denies, remembers, etc. demonstratively proves that we exist in some form or other. Thinking gives us a sense of what the I is, if only a limited amount.
chaski On March 28, 2024
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#3New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:01:57
@Erimitus Said

"To what extent are the senses a reliable guide to existence?"



I think therefore I am... though I am not at all confident of your existence.
Hot_Rod On March 30, 2012

Deleted
Banned



A yacht, Monaco
#4New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:02:15
@Erimitus Said

"To what extent are the senses a reliable guide to existence?"


Senses merely allow precise information gathering from specific sources - it is the ultimate perception which counts.
Willi On August 21, 2018




northinmind,
#5New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:02:35
@Erimitus Said

"To what extent are the senses a reliable guide to existence?"





a brain in a jar?
when the jar is a rockin, don't come a knockin.
Willi On August 21, 2018




northinmind,
#6New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:10:24
hot and cold can feel the same?
Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#7New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:35:13
@sister_of_mercy Said

That sounds like an exam question I had a few years ago

I think they're better than having an idealist view of existence (the whole tree falling in the forest thing), but senses are subject to error and distortion so one should use our rational capacity to ensure that what our senses are telling us is the truth.

The fact that we have a rational capacity that doubts, affirms, denies, remembers, etc. demonstratively proves that we exist in some form or other. Thinking gives us a sense of what the I is, if only a limited amount.



Sister: I think [the senses are] better than having an idealist view of existence (the whole tree falling in the forest thing), but senses are subject to error and distortion so one should use our rational capacity to ensure that what our senses are telling us is the truth.

Erimitus: For the sake of discussion let’s assume that material objects exist independent of the mind.

Erimitus: Independent studies have shown that when a tree falls in the woods and no one is there all the other trees laugh.

Erimitus: Yes, sensatory perception is not only subject to error but also myopic, and limited to a very small range of wavelengths. New sensory input is compared with memories of past sensory input to establish concordance. There can be no absolute certainties but that is all there is to work with. When what is expected to be and what is experience is inconsistent cognitive dissonance results.

Sister: The fact that we have a rational capacity that doubts, affirms, denies, remembers, etc. demonstratively proves that we exist in some form or other.

Erimitus: yes, that is a certainty.

Sister: Thinking gives us a sense of what the ‘I’ is; if only a limited amount.

Erimitus: the ‘I’ that is me remains a puzzle to …well …ME.

Erimitus: anyway, “trust but verify” if I understand you correctly. Thanks.
Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#8New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:39:37
@chaski Said

I think therefore I am... though I am not at all confident of your existence.



I think I think ergo I think I am. (I am assuming that you exist; although when I log out it seems to me that you no longer exist)
Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#9New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:40:50
@Hot_Rod Said

Senses merely allow precise information gathering from specific sources - it is the ultimate perception which counts.



What is ultimate perception please.
Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#10New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:42:04
@Willi Said



a brain in a jar?
when the jar is a rockin, don't come a knockin.



could be
Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#11New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 00:52:20
@Willi Said

hot and cold can feel the same?


It is a matter of perspective.

Are you familiar with the three bowl experiment?

(You can do this at home)

Place three bowl of water in a row. The temperature of the water in left bowl is 0C, the temperature of the water in the middle bowl is 10C and the temperature of the water in the right bowl is 20C. Put your left hand in the left bowl and your right hand in the right bowl. Wait a while. (tic, tock) Then put both hands in the center bowl. The temperature of the water is the same but to your left hand the water is warm and to your right hand the water feels cold.
Willi On August 21, 2018




northinmind,
#12New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 02:14:22
@Erimitus Said

It is a matter of perspective.

Are you familiar with the three bowl experiment?

(You can do this at home)

Place three bowl of water in a row. The temperature of the water in left bowl is 0C, the temperature of the water in the middle bowl is 10C and the temperature of the water in the right bowl is 20C. Put your left hand in the left bowl and your right hand in the right bowl. Wait a while. (tic, tock) Then put both hands in the center bowl. The temperature of the water is the same but to your left hand the water is warm and to your right hand the water feels cold.



i was thinking more like one hand in a blow torch, the other in liquid nitrogen.
burning and freezing i've been told feel alike.
xLETHAL_VIXENx On January 22, 2015
Logical Alien





Your pants, United States (gen
#13New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 02:44:17
AzUnDeR On January 04, 2018

Deleted



Pacifica, California
#14New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 02:50:20
its because the body tries to stay at the right temp.
Erimitus On July 01, 2021




The mind of God, Antarctica
#15New Post! Mar 30, 2012 @ 04:19:10
@Willi Said

i was thinking more like one hand in a blow torch, the other in liquid nitrogen.
burning and freezing i've been told feel alike.



Oh. Could be. I do not know. I suppose that in either case the nerves would be destroyed and there would be no feeling at all.

(best if we do not try this experiment at home)

What is your point please?
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