X-Message-Number: 32215
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Re: Grim story on cryonics
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:49:50 +0100
References: <>

On 13 Dec 2009, at 11:00 AM, Luke Parrish wrote:
>
>>>> Furthermore, irrational violence is neurological in nature,
>>
>>
>> No. TMT shows this is false. See:
>>
>> http://www.ernestbecker.org/
>>
>
> TMT is fascinating, but I do not see how it negates the point that all
> human behavior, irrational violence included, is neurological in  
> nature.
> Understanding how neurons fire is going to give future society a heck
> of a lot more understanding about why people are violent and how to
> prevent it.
>
> I don't see how a literate person could reach any contrary conclusion.
> TMT is completely irrelevant to my point.

In science, the rule is "Simplicity is more correct," that is, Occam's  
(1285-1349) razor:

"one should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of  
entities required to explain anything."

http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/occamraz.html


In this case, we do not need a neurological entity to explain  
irrational violence. TMT shows it is resulting from basic human  
intellectual abilities, such as the ability to visualize a future  
event, etc.

You could also say irrational violence is physical in nature,  
therefore, a better understanding of quantum mechanics will allow a  
more peaceful society. Few have embarked on this venture.


dss


David Stodolsky
  Skype: davidstodolsky

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