"Everything we do is for the purpose of altering consciousness. We form friendships so that we can feel certain emotions, like love, and avoid others, like loneliness. We eat specific foods to enjoy their fleeting presence on our tongues. We read for the pleasure of thinking another person's thoughts."
Sam Harris
4
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I do things to feel better and some things because I have to.
Sarahroo29
Level 8
Nov 29, 2017
1
I know Sam Harris is a neuroscientist that has sold millions of books and has his on podcasts etc., so who am I to disagree with this man. Well, I'm only me, and I still disagree. I don't believe we do things in order to feel emotions, like love, friendship, etc. I think we make these bonds because we feel certain emotions, not the other way around. And I'm not sure how we could alter our consciousness because our consciousness is only aware of stimuli. We can alter the stimuli, but our consciousness is just recording. So what's your question?
AstralSmoke
Level 8
Nov 29, 2017
3
When you get bit by a bug, it itches. Your body has you scratch it. That releases endorphins. So your body has you scratch and scratch. Your skin is ripped and bleeding, but the endorphins manipulate your mind to ignore it. After the endorphins waste away, then you feel stupid.
When we were discussing the AI scenario, I brought this idea that with the lack of emotion so much is moot. It’s the emotions that trigger other emotional reactions. And aren’t we in a way conditioned to react to certain feelings certain ways?
@silvereyes The initial emotions have no incentive.
@Annaleda "Everything we do is for the purpose of altering consciousness." Your remarks altered mine. I need a butterfly net!
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