Post by Chris Garrett on Oct 22, 2016 7:20:00 GMT
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness asserts that “what we see, hear, touch, and smell are the results of how our central nervous system processes both external and internal stimuli and then reconstructs a virtual environment in which we react accordingly.” (Pg.106) When our brains receive new information they start mapping out, or simulating, different scenarios involved with that information and different ways to play them out. As stated in the reading, this has been detrimental to our survival as a species “Because any idea that can jar us from complacency and force us to think anew about reality is helpful to a consciousness that evolved to virtually simulate reality and play out competing scenarios.”(Pg.114) Our awareness of possible threats before we face them and ability to walk into any scenario with multiple subconscious strategies has been a huge evolutionary advantage for our species.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
As mentioned in Is The Universe An App?, our brains trick us in a couple of ways. One way is by making us believe what we are seeing is happening here and now. An example of how this can be an illusion can be found any time we look up at the sun.(Pg.97) While our brains make us think we are looking at the sun in real time, we know that since the light from the sun takes about eight minutes to travel to Earth, we are actually looking into the past, or looking at the sun as it was eight minutes ago. Another way our brains have evolved to trick us comes when someone has a near death experience. (Pg.102) Dreams and visions that people have during near death experiences are usually of people or ideas they hold dearest. From an evolutionary standpoint, these visions serve as motivation to live another day.
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness asserts that “what we see, hear, touch, and smell are the results of how our central nervous system processes both external and internal stimuli and then reconstructs a virtual environment in which we react accordingly.” (Pg.106) When our brains receive new information they start mapping out, or simulating, different scenarios involved with that information and different ways to play them out. As stated in the reading, this has been detrimental to our survival as a species “Because any idea that can jar us from complacency and force us to think anew about reality is helpful to a consciousness that evolved to virtually simulate reality and play out competing scenarios.”(Pg.114) Our awareness of possible threats before we face them and ability to walk into any scenario with multiple subconscious strategies has been a huge evolutionary advantage for our species.
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
As mentioned in Is The Universe An App?, our brains trick us in a couple of ways. One way is by making us believe what we are seeing is happening here and now. An example of how this can be an illusion can be found any time we look up at the sun.(Pg.97) While our brains make us think we are looking at the sun in real time, we know that since the light from the sun takes about eight minutes to travel to Earth, we are actually looking into the past, or looking at the sun as it was eight minutes ago. Another way our brains have evolved to trick us comes when someone has a near death experience. (Pg.102) Dreams and visions that people have during near death experiences are usually of people or ideas they hold dearest. From an evolutionary standpoint, these visions serve as motivation to live another day.