Chapter 2 - Perception and Reality

Question 1

Sensations

Answer 1

Reality depends on who or what is doing the looking and with what apparatus
Sensory nerves all over body continually send impulses to various parts of brain, all the same regardless of cause.

Question 2

Models

Answer 2

Brain creates mental maps or model of reality which it can compare with incoming data.

Question 3

Facts

Answer 3

There are no facts waiting to be observed independently of mental models, fact and model are inextricably woven and interpretation is grounded in cultural and personal worldview

Question 4

Patterns

Answer 4

Brains evolved to seek meaning in patterns of environment. Facts of nature aren’t fixed, objective bits of information waiting to be discovered, they are patterns that will be revealed by appropriate ideas

Question 5

Information

Answer 5

We don’t experience reality in raw because brains would be overwhelmed by data

Question 6

Language as mental model

Answer 6

Enables us to share thoughts and forms basic frameworks of concepts and ways of knowing on which we build worldviews
New technology created out of language will isolate us from direct experience of reality

Question 7

Language of science

Answer 7

Math, many believe it reflects parallel mathematical universe whose theorems we discover rather than create.
Has no greater claim to represent truth of reality than any other model or language - based on many unprovable assumptions

Question 8

How the brain works

Answer 8

See something - eyes send nerve impulses to LGN
For each nerve coming from eyes, LGN receives inputs from over 80 fibers from other parts of brain
Visual information analyzed in other areas of brain which are linked to parts of body
In forming visual images, brains integrate information from eyes with huge amounts of info from other sources, many internal.
Brain has 100,000x more internal connections than external sensors, hence we’re naturally more tuned into what is happening inside than outside

Question 9

LGN

Answer 9

Lateral geniculate nucleus

Question 10

Verbal-linguistic intelligence

Answer 10

Thinks in words, skilled at language-related things

Question 11

Musical intelligence

Answer 11

Thinks and learns in sounds, rhythms, and patterns.

Question 12

Mathematical-logical intelligence

Answer 12

Good at math, logical reasoning, problem solving, classifying info, abstract concepts, and controlled experiments

Question 13

Intrapersonal intelligence

Answer 13

Self-reflective, able to understand and work with one’s strengths and weaknesses, dreams and desires, emotions and thoughts

Question 14

Visual-spatial intelligence

Answer 14

Thinks in pictures and mental images, good at reading, writing, visualization, design, making things

Question 15

Interpersonal intelligence

Answer 15

Relates to and understands people, sensing their thoughts and feelings. Good at verbal and non-verbal communication, conflict resolution, organization and cooperation

Question 16

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

Answer 16

Learns through movement and physical skills. Well coordinated, communicates through movement and body language

Question 17

Existential intelligence

Answer 17

Able to contemplate big philosophical questions, such as “why are we here?” and “what is the purpose of life?”

Question 18

Naturalist intelligence

Answer 18

Keen observer of nature who relate well to animals and understand natural processes. Good at sensory perception and pattern recognition

Question 19

Emotional intelligence

Answer 19

Intra and interpersonal intelligence

Question 20

Spiritual intelligence

Answer 20

Meaning and purpose of life, creativity, discrimination, moral sense, good and evil, envisioning better future. Flexibility, self-awareness, going beyond convention, facing and transcending suffering and pain, inspiration by vision and values, reluctance to cause harm, seeing connections between diverse things, asking “why” and “what if”