Posted by RB on November 1, 2010 · Leave a Comment
What is the relationship between mind and matter? Materialism holds that the mental is a product of the physical – the mind is what the brain does. By contrast, dualist accounts are consistent with our common sense notion that the mental is fundamentally different from the physical. How much does a thought weigh? a dualist … Read more
Filed under Death By Trolley, Science · Tagged with Chalmers, cognition, cognitive science, Descartes, dualism, materialism, Mind, mind-body problem, monism, Philosophy, philosophy of mind, qualia, Science, soul, spirit
Posted by RB on July 11, 2008 · 3 Comments
I recently discovered a great blog on ScienceBlogs entitled Developing Intelligence. Produced by University of Colarado at Boulder Cognitive Neuroscience graduate student, Chris Chatham, Developing Intelligence profiles fascinating current Cognitive Science research on mindfulness meditation and other means of training attention. Specifically, Chatham discusses demonstrated effects of mental training techniques on attention, meta-cognition and executive … Read more
Filed under Other · Tagged with attention, blogs, Chris Chatham, cognitive function, cognitive science, executive function, intelligence, Meditation, meta-cognition, mindfulness-, Psychology, ScienceBlogs, Yuko Munakata
Posted by RB on April 13, 2008 · Leave a Comment
In this video, a Scientologist makes a number of apparently absurd and/or far-fetched L. Ron Hubbard-based claims. Firstly, he (i.e., the speaker; though “he” could just as easily refer to Hubbard, as this person is clearly well indoctrinated into Hubbard’s dogmatic cult of personality) claims that the function of the brain is to act as a shock absorber for the … Read more
Filed under Religion, Science, Scientology · Tagged with brain, brain and behavior, Church of Scientology, cognition, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, cult, cult of scientology, Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard, Mind, neuroscience, Pseudoscience, psychobabble, Psychology, Quackery, Scientology, Scientology propaganda, spirit, thetan
Posted by RB on March 27, 2008 · 4 Comments
In an article in Wired, Jack Pitt discusses the research of Laurentian University Cognitive Neuroscientist Dr. Michael Persinger on the “spiritual” brain. Persinger and colleagues have developed an apparatus which by altering electromagnetic brain fields can induce “spiritual” experiences, such as “seeing God” or feeling an altered sense of self and a sense of oneness … Read more
Posted by RB on February 10, 2008 · 52 Comments
The next University of Toronto Secular Alliance event is this coming Wednesday. The event is a part of the ongoing program entitled Cafe Inquiry. Cafe Inquiry is modeled after Cafe Scientifique, a grassroots endeavor to provide an opportunity for citizens both within and especially outside of the university community to learn about and discuss important issues … Read more
Filed under Atheism, Ethics & Morality, Evolution, Religion, Science, Society & Culture · Tagged with Center For Inquiry, Christianity, cognition, cognitive science, empathy, events, evil, God, good, good without God, humanism, Jesus, kin selection, mirror neurons, morality, Toronto, University of Toronto Secular Alliance
Posted by RB on January 21, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Deric Bownds has provided a link to the Mind and Life Institute, which offers a quarterly bibliography with short descriptions of research done on the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). I post these links here as well, for those interested in the science of meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative practices, as well as other bridges … Read more
Filed under Science, Wisdom & Wellness · Tagged with Buddhism, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive science, contemplative practices, Deric Bownds, Health, Mind, mindfulness meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, skepticism, wellbeing, wisdom
Posted by RB on January 18, 2008 · 7 Comments
Deric Bownds profiles a study by Vohs and Schooler of the University of British Columbia, which found that the presenting arguments for determinism increases the likelihood of selfishness and cheating.
Filed under Ethics & Morality · Tagged with Altruism, choice, cognition, cognitive science, determinism, free will, genetics, morality, Psychology, selfishness, socialization
