scholarly journals Knowledge is a mental state (at least sometimes)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Michael Bricker
Keyword(s):  
Mental State ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Experimental Philosophy ◽  
Empirical Observation ◽  
Epistemic States ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Epistemological Principle ◽  
Structure Of Knowledge ◽  
Mental Characteristics ◽  
The Brain

AbstractIt is widely held in philosophy that knowing is not a state of mind. On this view, rather than knowledge itself constituting a mental state, when we know, we occupy a belief state that exhibits some additional non-mental characteristics. Fascinatingly, however, new empirical findings from cognitive neuroscience and experimental philosophy now offer direct, converging evidence that the brain can—and often does—treat knowledge as if it is a mental state in its own right. While some might be tempted to keep the metaphysics of epistemic states separate from the neurocognitive mechanics of our judgements about them, here I will argue that these empirical findings give us sufficient reason to conclude that knowledge is at least sometimes a mental state. The basis of this argument is the epistemological principle of neurocognitive parity—roughly, if the contents of a given judgement reflect the structure of knowledge, so do the neurocognitive mechanics that produced them. This principle, which I defend here, straightforwardly supports the inference from the empirical observation that the brain sometimes treats knowledge like a mental state to the epistemological conclusion that knowledge is at least sometimes a mental state. All told, the composite, belief-centric metaphysics of knowledge widely assumed in epistemology is almost certainly mistaken.

TIMELESS BUILDINGS AND THE HUMAN BRAIN: The Effect of Spiritual Spaces on Human Brain Waves

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Sally M. Essawy ◽  
Basil Kamel ◽  
Mohamed S. Elsawy
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Spiritual Experience ◽  
Brain Wave ◽  
Human Comfort ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Brain Waves ◽  
Space Design ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
The Brain

Some buildings hold certain qualities of space design similar to those originated from nature in harmony with its surroundings. These buildings, mostly associated with religious beliefs and practices, allow for human comfort and a unique state of mind. This paper aims to verify such effect on the human brain. It concentrates on measuring brain waves when the user is located in several spots (coordinates) in some of these buildings. Several experiments are conducted on selected case studies to identify whether certain buildings affect the brain wave frequencies of their users or not. These are measured in terms of Brain Wave Frequency Charts through EEG Device. The changes identified on the brain were then translated into a brain diagram that reflects the spiritual experience all through the trip inside the selected buildings. This could then be used in architecture to enhance such unique quality.

A "space" created in psychoanalysis and Eastern thought: a discussion of holding environment, container, and wu-wei

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-122
Author(s):  
Li Hanning
Keyword(s):  
Mental State ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
The Other ◽  
Holding Environment ◽  
True Self ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Psychoanalytic Therapy ◽  
Wu Wei ◽  
State Of Mind

In this article Winnicott, Bion, and Zhuangzi's three metaphorical concepts of psychological space are compared to understand the meaning of their respective use of space and unity, as well as the importance of the unity of space itself. This is carried out against the background of psychoanalysis and Eastern thought. This is not only a state that analysts need to be able to achieve in psychoanalytic therapy, but is also related to the quality of the mental state of each of us in our daily lives. An open and perceptive experience is responsible for the spontaneous presentation and for mental growth, and in Eastern thought, at its core is the wu-wei thought, defined as unconflicted personal harmony, inaction, or free-flowing spontaneity. Although psychoanalysis is a therapeutic method, it is not limited to this function. It is also a preparation for patients to approach their true self or "truth". Freud (1912e) described a way of approaching "an open mind, free from any presupposition" that could be achieved through analysis, and he promoted the development of mature interpersonal relations. Buddhist or Taoist practice, on the other hand, relies on correct breathing to calm oneself. Beyond all doubt, Winnicott, Bion, and the wise men of the East all knew that connecting with emotion or acquiring knowledge must be done in a calm state of mind.

scholarly journals Penggunaan Terapi Senam Otak Pada Anak Dengan Masalah Penurunan Konsentrasi Belajar Di Desa Rawajitu Selatan

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-250
Author(s):  
Lidya Ariyanti ◽  
Redia Indira Putrianti ◽  
Setiawati Setiawati
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Therapy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brain Gym ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRAK Kosentrasi merupakan keadaan pikiran atau asosiasi terkondisi yang diaktifkan oleh sensasi di dalam tubuh. Cara mengaktifkan sensasi di dalam tubuh adalah dengan membuat tubuh berada dalam keadaan yang rileks dan suasana yang menyenangkan, karena dalam keadaan yang tegang seseorang tidak akan dapat menggunakan otaknya dengan maksimal oleh karena pikiran menjadi kosong. Fenomena yang terjadi di lapangan diketahui bahwa penurunan konsentrasi belajar pada anak belum mendapatkan penanganan yang maksimal. Selama ini teknik yang digunakan memiliki kelemahan tersendiri yang tentunya tujuan dari peningkatan konsentrasi belajar belum dapat dirasakan oleh semua siswa, seharusnya teknik peningkatan konsentrasi belajar di buat lebih mudah dan efektif. Salah satunya adalah teknik Brain Gym. Tujuan setelah diberikan terapi senam otak diharapkan dapat meningkatkan konsentrasi belajar pada anak. Adapun kegiatan yang dilakukan berupa penyuluhan dan demonstrasi terapi senam otak. Terdapat peningkatan konsentrasi belajar pada anak setelah diberikan terapi senam otak di Desa Rawajitu Selatan. Dengan demikian, pemberian terapi senam otak efektif dalam meningkatkan konsentrasi belajar. Kata Kunci: Konsentrasi, Senam Otak, Peningkatan Konsentrasi Belajar  ABSTRACT Concentration is a state of mind or conditioned association that is activated by sensations in the body. How to activate sensations in the body is to make the body in a relaxed state and pleasant atmosphere, because in a tense situation a person will not be able to use his brain to the maximum because the mind becomes empty. The phenomenon that occurs in the field is known that the reduction in the concentration of learning in children has not gotten the maximum treatment. During this time the technique used has its own weaknesses which of course the purpose of increasing concentration of learning can not be felt by all students, the technique of increasing the concentration of learning should be made easier and more effective. One of them is the Brain Gym technique. The goal after being given brain exercise therapy is expected to increase the concentration of learning in children. The activities carried out in the form of counseling and demonstration of brain exercise therapy. There is an increase in the concentration of learning in children after being given brain exercise therapy at Rawajitu Selatan Village. Thus, the administration of brain exercise therapy is effective in increasing concentration of learning. Keywords: Concentration, Brain Exercise, Increased Learning Concentration

Dreaming and the brain: Toward a cognitive neuroscience of conscious states

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 793-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Allan Hobson ◽  
Edward F. Pace-Schott ◽  
Robert Stickgold
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Dimensional Model ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Brain Physiology ◽  
Neurophysiological Studies ◽  
The Brain

Sleep researchers in different disciplines disagree about how fully dreaming can be explained in terms of brain physiology. Debate has focused on whether REM sleep dreaming is qualitatively different from nonREM (NREM) sleep and waking. A review of psychophysiological studies shows clear quantitative differences between REM and NREM mentation and between REM and waking mentation. Recent neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies also differentiate REM, NREM, and waking in features with phenomenological implications. Both evidence and theory suggest that there are isomorphisms between the phenomenology and the physiology of dreams. We present a three-dimensional model with specific examples from normally and abnormally changing conscious states.

Limitations Using Neuroimaging to Reconstruct Mental State After a Crime

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-701
Author(s):  
Michael J. Vitacco ◽  
Alynda M. Randolph ◽  
Rebecca J. Nelson Aguiar ◽  
Megan L. Porter Staats
Keyword(s):  
Mental State ◽  
Insanity Defense ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain

AbstractNeuroimaging offers great potential to clinicians and researchers for a host of mental and physical conditions. The use of imaging has been trumpeted for forensic psychiatric and psychological evaluations to allow greater insight into the relationship between the brain and behavior. The results of imaging certainly can be used to inform clinical diagnoses; however, there continue to be limitations in using neuroimaging for insanity cases due to limited scientific backing for how neuroimaging can inform retrospective evaluations of mental state. In making this case, this paper reviews the history of the insanity defense and explains how the use of neuroimaging is not an effective way of improving the reliability of insanity defense evaluations.

Spatial Relations

2019 ◽  
pp. 179-216
Author(s):  
David Kemmerer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Semantic Representation ◽  
Spatial Relations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Linguistic Representation ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Brain

Ever since the 1980s, research on the cross-linguistic representation of spatial relations has burgeoned. Surprisingly, however, very little of this work has had any impact on cognitive neuroscience, and most researchers who study the cortical underpinnings of concrete conceptual knowledge have ignored spatial relations completely, preferring to focus on objects and actions instead. Due to this rather stark asymmetry, this chapter has a different organization than the previous two. The first section focuses entirely on cross-linguistic similarities and differences in the grammatical-semantic representation of three main types of spatial relations: topological, projective, and deictic. Then the last section addresses a number of neuroscientific issues, including a review of what has been learned so far about the implementation of these kinds of concepts in the brain, and a discussion of how the typological literature can both inspire and guide future research in this important but relatively neglected area of inquiry.

Awareness of Employee Stress Response: How Employers Can Mitigate Workplace Burnout and Workplace Depression

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
Tony Deblauwe
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Leadership Management ◽  
Social Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Prosocial Behaviours ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Effective Conditions

By examining the science behind leadership, management practices and how they relate to social cognitive neuroscience, we can understand how to target the most effective conditions for preventing workplace burnout and workplace depression. This process begins with the ability of managers to recognise and react responsively to create a culture of trust within the organisation, and identify and promote prosocial behaviours to prevent feelings of disengagement and displacement. This review discusses how one’s ability to inspire employees is particularly important, because followers with low self-concepts are drawn to a highly personalised vision. Through the promotion of the brain chemical, oxytocin, the material presents eight building blocks to promote a culture of trust, while mitigating the factors associated with workplace burnout and workplace depression.

scholarly journals Sensorimotor brain dynamics reflect architectural affordances

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (29) ◽  
pp. 14769-14778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakaria Djebbara ◽  
Lars Brorson Fich ◽  
Laura Petrini ◽  
Klaus Gramann
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Head Mounted Displays ◽  
Actual Movement ◽  
Imaging Approach ◽  
Essential Function ◽  
The Brain

Anticipating meaningful actions in the environment is an essential function of the brain. Such predictive mechanisms originate from the motor system and allow for inferring actions from environmental affordances, and the potential to act within a specific environment. Using architecture, we provide a unique perspective on the ongoing debate in cognitive neuroscience and philosophy on whether cognition depends on movement or is decoupled from our physical structure. To investigate cognitive processes associated with architectural affordances, we used a mobile brain/body imaging approach recording brain activity synchronized to head-mounted displays. Participants perceived and acted on virtual transitions ranging from nonpassable to easily passable. We found that early sensory brain activity, on revealing the environment and before actual movement, differed as a function of affordances. In addition, movement through transitions was preceded by a motor-related negative component that also depended on affordances. Our results suggest that potential actions afforded by an environment influence perception.

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