Understanding the Mind: Nature, States, and Biological Basis
Nature of the Mind
Intentionality is the property of mental states (memories, beliefs, etc.) to refer to something distinct from themselves. These references don’t necessarily require a real-world existence.
Intimacy refers to the inherent privacy of mental phenomena, making them unobservable to others.
States and Mental Processes
- Cognitive Abilities:
- Perception: A faculty shared with other animals, perception allows us to interact with reality and construct representations from sensory data.
- Memory:
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: Impact on Anthropology and Culture
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and its Impact
Darwin’s theory of evolution represents a scientific revolution of the first order, very important in the 19th century. What is anthropology? It is the study of human beings within the realm of culture as symbolic beings.
Darwin’s Theory: A Summary
Darwin’s theory states that the evolution of species is the result of two factors:
- Genetic variability: Individual mutations within the species make some members more or less able to adapt to the struggle for life
Epicureanism, Cynicism, and Cicero’s Philosophy
The Epicureans and Cynics
The Epicureans believed the end goal of the state differed from the Stoic school of thought. Epicureans held a more subjective view of the good, believing the state’s purpose is to protect individuals from selfishness. They saw society as inherently prone to conflict and viewed the state as an artificial construct, created through consensus and social contract. The core agreement: “I promise not to inflict harm on another citizen.”
Cynics emerged as a philosophical school
Read MoreDescartes’ Methodical Doubt: A Path to Truth
Descartes advocated for only accepting as true that which appears in the mind with clarity and distinction. His rules included:
- Evidence: Only accept simple, clear, and distinct natures as evidence. Complex problems consist of complex natures.
- Synthesis: Once simple natures are understood, they must be recomposed through synthesis.
- Enumeration: Review everything to ensure nothing is skipped.
Methodical Doubt: Finding a Foundation for Truth
The goal of methodical doubt is to find a safe and true foundation
Read MoreHypothetico-Deductive Method in Science
Approach to the Problem
Hypothetico-deductive departure: The said problem to be raised in a rigorous and precise manner, as much as possible. Contributing to this end are: observation, analysis, etc. The problems are not a naive or spontaneous observation, but necessarily arise from a prior theoretical framework.
Hypothesis Formulation
The proposed hypotheses, that is, a supposition, is adopted as a possible explanation or solution to the problem. This hypothesis shows how a universal statement should
Read MoreKey Concepts in Catholic Social Teaching
Equality
In theology, the dignity of each human in comparison to all other humans.
Personalistic Norm: Principle that maintains that a person is to be treated as a unique individual and never a means to another’s end. Subsidium: “give”
Abortifacient Drug
A chemical agent or drug that induces abortion, used to kill a child within.
Suction Aspiration
Abortion technique in which a surgical saw is inserted into the womb.
Salt Poisoning
Abortion technique in which the amniotic fluid is replaced with salt water
Read More