Do you consider Man a metaphysical being?

[Neochristian]

Not sure who this is directed at, but I would say this is a very difficult question for a layman to answer. So, I have no idea.

My mistake. That was directed at you.

 

[Radrook]

The problem seems to be that when the brain is destroyed no other mental activity can be detected by the living and the activity which is reported can be explained away. The question is better stated by asking if we are or possess a non-material human soul which survives the death of our body and if this concept is indeed a genuine biblical teaching.

 

[Neochristian]

The problem seems to be that when the brain is destroyed no other mental activity can be detected by the living and the activity which is reported can be explained away. The question is better stated by asking if we are or possess a non-material human soul which survives the death of our body and if this concept is indeed a genuine biblical teaching.

It's not a biblical teaching. It came from a misunderstanding of Rene Descartes.

 

[quatona]

I was thinking this morning -yes, it does happen sometimes-, and realized that I was certain of the metaphysical dimension of Man, thanks to the language. I explain myself:
As the only being gifted by the language, Man as an incredibly ability: to make things "exist" in his mind -the conceptual thinking. Well in fact I would prefer "in-sist" (while this word is not a correct word, I know) rather than "exist": to make things appear inside the mind and not outside. The ability of creating, in a mind, an object which is not there. Yes, of course, an object that he already knew. However, he can do that above the physical dimension. So, to me, this is clear that man is metaphysical. I was even considering that the metaphysical mind could be more real than the physical body: "I think so I am". I speak, so I am. I could consider everything physical as an illusion. I could consider the human body as an illusion, while I could not for the human brain and conceptual thinking.
It adds a spiritual (not necessary religious) dimension of Man, dimension that still can be contested.
As this explanation surely has a lot of defects and weaknesses, I wanted you to criticize and discuss the question. Are you convinced that Man is the only metaphysical being, and are you even convinced that a metaphysical dimension exists (or in-sists? Sorry, I truly do not like to match exist with the metaphysic)

What I understand you saying is: Humans have a mind. This mind is very powerful - in that it ascribes significance to the physical world, and often can´t help considering the patterns and significances it has created more real than *that which is*. So far I would agree.

I do not agree that all this is "thanks to the language". I don´t believe that language is required for conceptual thinking. Language just helps with expressing conceptual thoughts.

 

[Neochristian]

What I understand you saying is: Humans have a mind. This mind is very powerful - in that it ascribes significance to the physical world, and often can´t help considering the patterns and significances it has created more real than *that which is*. So far I would agree.

I do not agree that all this is "thanks to the language". I don´t believe that language is required for conceptual thinking. Language just helps with expressing conceptual thoughts.

What is a word but a spoken thought?

 

[quatona]

What is a word but a spoken thought?

I don´t disagree with this. I disagree with the reverse conclusion ("What is a concept but a thought word?").

 

[Neochristian]

I don´t disagree with this. I disagree with the reverse conclusion ("What is a concept but a thought word?").

I'm asking what the difference between them is? A concept and a word.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I'm asking what the difference between them is? A concept and a word.

A word is a label one associates with one or more concepts. The word isn't the concept, it is a label for the concept.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Neochristian]

A word is a label one associates with one or more concepts. The word isn't the concept, it is a label for the concept.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Are words made up of concepts?

 

[Eudaimonist]

Are words made up of concepts?

No, words are made up of letters/phonemes. They refer to concepts.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Neochristian]

No, words are made up of letters/phonemes. They refer to concepts.


eudaimonia,

Mark

That's like saying numbers were created because they weren't drawn for a long time.

 

[quatona]

I'm asking what the difference between them is? A concept and a word.

You can have a concept without having a word for it.
The word is a symbol for a concept.

 

[quatona]

That's like saying numbers were created because they weren't drawn for a long time.

What?

 

[Neochristian]

You can have a concept without having a word for it.
The word is a symbol for a concept.

Can you give me an example?

 

[Neochristian]

What?

Hard to explain. Letters are concepts and so are sounds.

 

[quatona]

Can you give me an example?

Obviously I can´t - because for communicating a concept I need to use words.

 

[Neochristian]

Obviously I can´t - because for communicating a concept I need to use words.

How inconvenient. The reality is that thoughts can exist without words or concepts do not exist without words.

 

[quatona]

Hard to explain.

IOW: You had an idea that you haven´t yet put into words?
That´s exactly an example for what I am talking about.

 

[Neochristian]

IOW: You had an idea that you haven´t yet put into words?
That´s exactly an example for what I am talking about.

No, it's not. That's not the same as there not being a word for it.

 

[Neochristian]

"The need to appear right is the sign of a vulgar mind."
- William James