Posted by Ritch on August 6, 2002, at 9:54:54
In reply to Against Determinism and Reductive Materalism » Ritch, posted by fachad on August 6, 2002, at 1:30:20
> >Biology determines mentality, and mentality determines spirituality, and spirituality determines subjective reality? So is *that* subjective reality truly real?? :)
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> I would question the exact meaning of the word "determines" in the above.
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> Although spirituality <depends> on mentality, which depends on biology which depends on physics, I don't think that necessitates hard determinism or reductive materialism.
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> Even hardcore reductive materialists will admit "emergent properties" of life, mind, and consciousness - emergent properties being qualities more than the sum of all the component parts, and not present in any of the parts.
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> Far from questioning the reality of subjective experience, I think it IS reality, as directly apprehended by conscious awareness, and the only reality that you can ever really know. Certainly objective evidence and intersubjective confirmation are critical criteria for evaluating the validity of truth claims, but ultimately truth and reality are only experienced subjectively...
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I agree with your last statement. However, I am intrigued with the concept of "emergent properties" that you brought up. From the couple of philosophy classes I took in college, that sounds a lot like something I heard mentioned..I think it was "mystical residues"?? I can't remember what philosopher discussed this and if it relates or not..
poster:Ritch
thread:766
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20020715/msgs/773.html