Debate : 26202


Off-Topic / Debate / 26202	26201 \| 26203

Subject:	Re: Is lgbt dead in the water? & Is religion dead in the water?
Newsgroups:	lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date:	Mon, 18 Oct 2004 23:32:26 GMT
Viewed:	1386 times

In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Avery Christy wrote:

But, there is the whole thing that our thoughts, our beauty, goes so far beyond simple biochemical reactions. If we only had biochemical reactions, then why are we not like the animals and other life forms around us?

How are we that different? Do we possess any unique basic attributes that set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, or do we simply possess a unique combination and degree of shared attributes? Animal research has suggested that we are not as different as we might think. Nevertheless we are unique, but so are other species.

Sure, we are heavily influenced by biochemical chemistry -- sex appeal/drive, instinct, illness, etc. But, we have the power to overcome it with our minds. We have the ability to exceed the sum of our parts. How is that scientifically possible? (Rhetorical question) We can so easily deny ourselves but eventually after all that doubting away we find that there is still something there doing the doubting. There is still something there, a mostly untapped potential, that can give us the extraordinary that we so often crave.

So, where does that come from? How can we rise to be more than a sum of our parts? Is not 2 + 2 = 4? Maybe there are some fascinating biochemical reactions that we have not studied yet?

Systems. You are simply describing some of the basic concepts of systems behavior. Complex systems behavior arising from simple components. Happens all the time both in biological and non-living systems. No magic there.

Spencer

Message has 1 Reply:

		Re: Is lgbt dead in the water? & Is religion dead in the water?
(...) So the whole can be completely, thoroughly, logically, scientifically explained by the sum of the parts? As in there's no magic at all? If there are systems and components we don't understand scientifically today, there will be a time in the (...) (20 years ago, 19-Oct-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate, FTX)

Message is in Reply To:

		Re: Is lgbt dead in the water? & Is religion dead in the water?
You know, for a time now I have wanted this whole thing to go away and stop appearing on the main news page, for you see, I have a terrible weakness: a great fascination in philosophy. So, this whole discussion was honey to me and I was having a (...) (20 years ago, 18-Oct-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate, FTX)

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