Big Think

Separation of Church and State

A while ago, in the Republican debates, a question was asked of the candidates as to whether or not they believe in the Holy Bible. In all honesty, this question simply pisses me off. Asking a question like this states that the person asking the question would value the answer. And I don't understand how in the United States of America, supposedly a land of freedom and equality, a question like this could openly be valued.By asking this question, you are saying that you would think differently of the candidate if they said yes vs. if they said no. Don't get me wrong, I believe that a certain level of faith in SOMEthing is a very valuable quality, and it takes a certain kind of person to have that kind of believe in that which cannot be seen nor proven. However, with this question, you are saying that you would think differently of someone who were Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, or anything other than Christian. You are OPENLY expressing prejudice, and OPENLY contradicting what this county stands for.What erks me more is that of all of the candidates, not one stood up and asked if it mattered. Not one of them contested that maybe it wasn't a relevant question. They all just tried to suck in as many christian voters as possible with their "I believe The Bible is the word of God!" 's and their cheap, shallow smiles. And they call OTHERS un-American. That is simply shameful.To sum it all up, my point is this: if you want to make a government based on religion, that's fine, it's been done plenty of times before. But do NOT call it America. … Read More

January 18, 2008   |  In

Consciousness

Consciousness - It is simply the awareness of what we, as human beings, are doing, feeling, saying, or thinking. It is an enigma, and yet it is the only thing we truly know is in existence. A great philosopher once said "Cogito ergo sum", or "I think, therefore I am." It is likely one of the most profound realizations in history. It is an understanding of the fact that one's consciousness is indispensible proof to that individual that they, in some manner and form, exist. We are not truly sure of anything but consciousness, but it is the one thing that has eluded any definite explanation throughout history.So what is consciousness? It seems certain that it is not physical. It is the mind, and it seems detached from the body.With individuals suffering from epileptic seizures, a common method of solving the problem was to split the brain into its left and right hemispheres, essentially severing all cerebral interstate highways, and leaving ones brain with only shoddy dirt roads to connect the right and left. However, though this brain, the perceived pivot point of our consciousness--of our observer--seemed now to bear no relation. While patients essentially had two brains, they were still left with only one consciousness, observing thought processes on whichever side it so chose.But, though the brain seemed to be in some manners detached from the observer, it seems to be understood that the observer thrives on the existence of the brain. But why? What is it about the brain that fosters this home for consciousness? If we could create a robotic brain, with as much power for decision making and understanding as a human, would this brain create the same home for consciousness? But what truly separates a brain from a rock, in it's essentials? A brain is simply an object of more complexity, with chemicals and electricity flowing through it to bring a body towards some goal. Is it possible, then, that consciousness is simply some substance that is attracted towards complexity, or is it even possible that that rock truly has a conscious observer inside of it? I don't know how to answer these questions, and I don't know if anyone truly does, but I want to hear from you, and maybe we can shed some light on this.  … Read More

January 18, 2008   |  In