Blindsight, the Absent Qualia Hypothesis, and the Mystery of Consciousness

1993 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 19-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Tye
Keyword(s):  
Phenomenal Consciousness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phenomenal Experience ◽  
Chinese People ◽  
Radio Signals ◽  
Standard Objection ◽  
Ned Block ◽  
Made In

One standard objection to the view that phenomenal experience is functionally determined is based upon what has come to be called ‘The Absent Qualia Hypothesis’, the idea that there could be a person or a machine that was functionally exactly like us but that felt or consciously experienced nothing at all (see Block, 1980; Block and Fodor, 1980; Campbell, 1980; Nagel, 1980). Advocates of this hypothesis typically maintain that we can easily imagine possible systems that meet the appropriate functional specifications but that intuitively lack any phenomenal consciousness. Ned Block (1980), for example, asks us to suppose that a billion Chinese people are each given a two-way radio with which to communicate with one another and with an artificial (brainless) body. The movements of the body are controlled by the radio signals, and the signals themselves are made in accordance with instructions the Chinese people receive from a vast display in the sky which is visible to all of them. The instructions are such that the participating Chinese people together realize whatever programs the functionalist supposes underlie human phenomenal experience.

Phenomenal Experience

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Levine
Keyword(s):  
Phenomenal Consciousness ◽  
Phenomenal Experience ◽  
Making Sense

This paper presents a sketch of a theory of phenomenal consciousness, one that builds on the notion of a “way of appearing,” and draws out various consequences and problems for the view. I unabashedly endorse a version of the Cartesian Theater, while assessing the prospects for making such a view work. As I treat phenomenal consciousness as a relation between a subject and what it is she is conscious of, I face a difficulty in making sense of hallucination, since the object of awareness is missing. I distinguish my position from direct realists who endorse disjunctivism, and end on a somewhat speculative note.

Introduction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Goldschmidt ◽  
Barbara Graziosi
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
The Body ◽  
Specific Site ◽  
Entire Volume ◽  
The Third ◽  
Religious Significance ◽  
Classical Poetry ◽  
Life Of The Mind ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Made In

The Introduction sheds light on the reception of classical poetry by focusing on the materiality of the poets’ bodies and their tombs. It outlines four sets of issues, or commonplaces, that govern the organization of the entire volume. The first concerns the opposition between literature and material culture, the life of the mind vs the apprehensions of the body—which fails to acknowledge that poetry emerges from and is attended to by the mortal body. The second concerns the religious significance of the tomb and its location in a mythical landscape which is shaped, in part, by poetry. The third investigates the literary graveyard as a place where poets’ bodies and poetic corpora are collected. Finally, the alleged ‘tomb of Virgil’ provides a specific site where the major claims made in this volume can be most easily be tested.

scholarly journals Non-destructive handheld XRF study of archaeological composite silver objects—the case study of the late Roman Seuso Treasure

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktória Mozgai ◽  
Bernadett Bajnóczi ◽  
Zoltán May ◽  
Zsolt Mráv
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
High Quality ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Composite Objects ◽  
Mechanical Attachment ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Made In ◽  
Late Roman

AbstractThis study details the non-destructive chemical analysis of composite silver objects (ewers, situlas, amphora and casket) from one of the most significant late Roman finds, the Seuso Treasure. The Seuso Treasure consists of fourteen large silver vessels that were made in the fourth–early fifth centuries AD and used for dining during festive banquets and for washing and beautification. The measurements were systematically performed along a pre-designed grid at several points using handheld X-ray fluorescence analysis. The results demonstrate that all the objects were made from high-quality silver (above 90 wt% Ag), with the exception of the base of the Geometric Ewer B. Copper was added intentionally to improve the mechanical properties of soft silver. The gold and lead content of the objects shows constant values (less than 1 wt% Au and Pb). The chemical composition as well as the Bi/Pb ratio suggests that the parts of the composite objects were manufactured from different silver ingots. The ewers were constructed in two ways: (i) the base and the body were made separately, or (ii) the ewer was raised from a single silver sheet. The composite objects were assembled using three methods: (i) mechanical attachment; (ii) low-temperature, lead-tin soft solders; or (iii) high-temperature, copper-silver hard solders. Additionally, two types of gilding were revealed by the XRF analysis, one with remnants of mercury, i.e. fire-gilding, and another type without remnants of mercury, presumably diffusion bonding.

Some Experiments on the Extra-Corporeal Hatching of the Eggs of Ascaris suum

1939 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Fenwick
Keyword(s):  
Hydrochloric Acid ◽  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Sodium Carbonate ◽  
Ascaris Suum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Very Old ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pancreatic Fluid ◽  
Sand Cultures ◽  
Made In

Numerous attempts have been made in the past to induce the eggs of Ascaris suum to hatch outside the body of the host. Extra-corporeal hatching has been observed under a variety of conditions by different workers. Kondo (1920, 1922), Asada (1921) and others record hatching in water, charcoal and sand cultures. Wharton (1915) states that hatching will occur in alkaline digestive juices, while Martin (1913) records a similar phenomenon in pancreatic fluid. Many different explanations have been offered to explain this hatching. Wharton suggested that the interaction of algae and sand might have some effect. Ohba (1923), who found that hatching would occur in 0·2% hydrochloric acid and 0·2% sodium carbonate believed that extra-corporeal hatching was limited to very old cultures of eggs. Many workers are of the opinion that some stimulus normally present in the digestive tract is necessary for hatching.

The relevance of therapeutic drug monitoring in plasma and erythrocytes in anti-cancer drug treatment

2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herlinde Dumez ◽  
Gunther Guetens ◽  
Gert De Boeck ◽  
Martin S. Highley ◽  
Robert A. A. Maes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring ◽  
Drug Monitoring ◽  
Drug Transport ◽  
Free Fraction ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Plasma Compartment ◽  
Made In

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring generally focuses on the plasma compartment only. Differentiation between the total plasma concentration and the free fraction (plasma water) has been described for a number of limited drugs. Besides the plasma compartment, blood has also a cellular fraction which has by far the largest theoretical surface and volume for drug transport. It is with anti-cancer drugs that major progress has been made in the study of partition between the largest cellular blood compartment, i.e., erythrocytes, and the plasma compartment. The aim of the present review is to detail the progress made in predicting what a drug does in the body, i.e., pharmacodynamics including toxicity and plasma and/or red blood cell concentration monitoring. Furthermore, techniques generally used in anti-cancer drug monitoring are highlighted. Data for complex Bayesian statistical approaches and population kinetics studies are beyond the scope of this review, since this is generally limited to the plasma compartment only.

The locust jump. I. The motor programme

1977 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-219
Author(s):  
W. J. Heitler ◽  
M. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Tactile Stimulation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Tactile Stimuli ◽  
Extensor Muscles ◽  
Trigger Activity ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Motor Programme ◽  
Made In

A motor programme is described for defensive kicking in the locust which is also probably the programme for jumping. The method of analysis has been to make intracellular recordings from the somata of identified motornuerones which control the metathoracic tibiae while defensive kicks are made in response to tactile stimuli. Three stages are recognized in the programme. (1) Initial flexion of the tibiae results from the low spike threshold of tibial flexor motorneurones to tactile stimulation of the body. (2) Co-contraction of flexor and extensor muscles followa in which flexor and extensor excitor motoneurones spike at high frequency for 300-600 ms. the tibia flexed while the extensor muscle develops tension isometrically to the level required for a kick or jump. (3) Trigger activity terminates the co-contraction by inhibiting the flexor excitor motorneurones and simultaneously exciting the flexor inhibitors. This causes relaxation of the flexor muscle and allows the tibiae to extend. If the trigger activity does not occur, the jump or kick is aborted, and the tibiae remain flexed.

scholarly journals Elaboration of an Expert System for Sizing, Designing and Verifying Flexible Pavements

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-121
Author(s):  
Nadjet Bouacha ◽  
Mouloud Belachia
Keyword(s):  
Expert System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Design Calculation ◽  
Complex Data ◽  
Data Loss ◽  
Calculation Methods ◽  
System Generator ◽  
Subsequent Degradation ◽  
Executable Programs ◽  
Made In

Abstract The use of expert systems in the world of civil engineering, and in particular for roads, has become a necessity for the reason of the particularity, complexity, and diversity of the influencing parameters at the level of the design calculation, the latter of which represents the major source of subsequent degradation. This system consists of proposing a tool for helping the user firstly to size the body of the roadway, with several analytical methods and models (Pre-project, Boussinesq, Westgaard, and Burmister), and secondly, to offer different design possibilities (thickness and type of the material) that make up the layers. Lastly, it is to calculate the stresses and strains in order to compare them with admissible limits. The management of a knowledge base of complex natures (words, sentences, numbers, symbols, tables, calculation methods, equations, conditions, etc.) requires an adequate methodology which goes beyond the simple use of the technology but enables you to imagine the process of regrouping this mass of complex data and classifying the data, which can then be integrated into a database or spreadsheets and external programs designed with code compatible with the expert system generator. Our contribution relates initially to the formulation, organization, and preparation of the algorithms, and then the starting of the programs in order to conceive fully executable programs, the latter of which we can call the expert system. The validation of such a system was made as the work progressed, changes were made in the formulation of the rules, and the order and orientation of the data in the knowledge that the advantage of this type of system is the possibility of permanently reinforcing the database with human expertise in the field, or in books, especially so that we can avoid data loss due to illnesses, retirement, etc.

scholarly journals Online Peer Feedback in Beginners’ Writing Tasks

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constanza Tolosa ◽  
Martin East ◽  
Helen Villers
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
The Body ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Tutoring Program ◽  
Written Corrective Feedback ◽  
Reciprocal Peer Tutoring ◽  
Made In

This study contributes to the body of research that aims to understandthe relationship between online communication and foreign language(FL) learning, in particular when teachers seek to provide authenticopportunities for interaction for their learners. The study wasmotivated by efforts made in the New Zealand context to overcome thegeographic limitations of interaction between FL learners and nativespeakers. We report on the findings of an exploratory study into anonline reciprocal peer tutoring program established to enhance the FLlearning of a group of beginner eleven-year old students of Spanish,with particular focus on the benefits of written corrective feedback. Theproject aimed to examine the processes by which students tutored eachother in the online environment as they responded to each other’s texts.The analysis of the students’ messages focused on (1) the aspects oflanguage corrected by the tutors, (2) the frequency with which tutorsaccurately identified and provided input on errors, (3) the types offeedback provided by the tutors, and (4) what the learners did with thecorrections and feedback. The findings indicate that the students werewilling to contribute to peer correction and used different strategiesand correction techniques to foster attention to linguistic form,although they were not always capable of providing accurate feedbackor metalinguistic explanations.

scholarly journals VARIOUS DIMENSIONS OF DAIVAVYAPASHRAYA WITH ITS POSSIBLE RATIONALITY - A JIGNASA

2021 ◽  
Vol p5 (5) ◽  
pp. 3022-3025
Author(s):  
Sowjanya. J
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Made In

“Shubham Karoti Kalyanam Arogyam Dhanasampadaha Shatrubuddhi Vinashaya Deepajyoti Namostute”. The concept of Daivavyapashraya chikitsa has been misunderstood as magical therapy which is wrong, as Acharya Charaka has emphasized it as the prime most among Trividhaushadhi’s in Trisreshaneeyaadhyaya due to its Aashu vyadhiharatwatana, which highlights its importance among all three treatment modalities. Daiva refers to Adrushta and Vyapashraya to Visheshena ashrayam. Hence a review on the art of invocation and implanting it by preventing and curing Physical and Psychosocial diseases with a proper scientific approach is very much essential. Dai- vavyapashrayachikitsa comprises MantrAoushadhaManiMangalaBaliaadi. Many instances are available in the Samhitha’s such as, ‘Siddhamantrapatana’ in the treatment of AagantujaUnmada, ‘Sahadeevimooladharana’ in the case of Vishamajwara, which is purely scientific. Acharya Sushrutha in Uttaratantra quotes the concept of Bali and Rakshavidhanam as a treatment in the case of each Grahabhada in children. For example: In case of Skandha- graha Raktamaala, Pataka, Raktagandhadravyas, Raktabhakshya, KukkutaBali along with Ghantanaada and ShivaParvati Mantrapatana. The rationality behind it can be interpreted as, it acts on microbial activity, negative energy and child's psychology, as well as the Mantra's, which are energy-based sounds that act on a particular system of the body and mind. Since the word Daiva is quoted in different contexts with different meanings as Adrushta, Poorvadaihikakarma and based on the aspects explained under Daivavyapashrayachikitsa, rationality can be interpreted as Microbiology, Psychology, Spiritualism, Philosophy, Astrology and Paranormal sciences are included in it. Thus, an attempt is made in understanding and practicing Daivavyapashrayachikitsa along with the scientific approach. Keywords: Daivavyapashrayachikitsa, Psychology, Sushrutha

scholarly journals THE COMPARATIVE VIABILITY OF PNEUMOCOCCI ON SOLID AND ON FLUID CULTURE MEDIA

1913 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 584-590
Author(s):  
L. J. Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Solid Medium ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Made In ◽  
Fluid Culture

1. Pneumococci, when freshly isolated from the body, are able to live and multiply when a small number of them are inoculated into a small amount of broth. If, however, the inoculations are made in large amounts of broth, many more bacteria must be inoculated in order that they may grow. 2. It requires much smaller numbers of pneumococci to start a growth on agar than are required to start a growth in broth. 3. This predilection for solid medium disappears when the bacteria are grown for some time outside the body. 4. This phenomenon is not dependent on differences in chemical composition between the two media employed or on the presence of more available oxygen in one case than in the other. 5. It is probably dependent entirely on physical differences in the two kinds of media, and bears some relation to the differences in possibilities for diffusion in the two media.

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