Brains are not required to think or solve problems – simple cells can do it

Re:Brains are not required to think or solve problems – simp... by wry_discontent on Thursday January 25, 2024 @01:04PM (#39132457)

I'm sympathetic to panpsychism, but it isn't obvious to me that intelligence should be what's behind awareness.

I've been blackout drunk before, and my brain was capable of intelligence, I got home just fine, but I had no conscious awareness. Same for a dreamless sleep and being put under for surgery.

Additionally, I the observer, can observe and be aware of intelligence which seems to indicate to me that it's something outside of what I'd call "me".

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Re:Brains are not required to think or solve problems – simp... by chlorion on Thursday January 25, 2024 @03:50PM (#39135094)

I think you are still conscious during the blackout, you just don't have a memory of it. Amnesia is the effect here, which is a little different than actually being unconscious the whole time.

When in surgery you really are unconscious though, hopefully at least.

I would compare this to forgetting what exactly you did on this exact day and this exact time one year ago. You can't remember it (most likely), but it doesn't mean you were unconscious during that time.

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