Metabolism & Cognition

Question 1

Cerebral mystique (2)

Answer 1

A) Neuromyths overemphasize inorganic features of the mind

B) Keep in place misconceptions about mind-body divide, free will, …

Question 2

Brain-in-a-vat (4)

Answer 2

A) Mental states are caused by brain activity

B) Brain activity is caused by info input

C) Therefore, disembodied brains can have same qualitative mental states

D) Assumptions:
Brain depends on environment & body
Brain is passively receiving info from environment

Question 3

BiV dictates research (4)

Answer 3

A) What is observed & measured

B) The questions asked

C) How results are interpreted

D) How research is carried out

Question 4

Biological rebuttal (2)

Answer 4

A) Brain is not independent from its environment (Homeostasis requires body)

B) Brain plays active role in perception of info from environment

Question 5

Levels of organization

Answer 5

Philosophy only focuses on one level -> brain

Question 6

Computational theory of mind

Answer 6

Mind = computer, bc neurons compute -> modularity

Question 7

Turing machine (5)

Answer 7

A) infinite memory locations, arrayed in a linear structure

B) Central processor can access one memory location at a time

C) Central processor can perform elementary activities such as write, erase, move, access memory locations

D) Elementary operation of central processor depends on which symbol is inscribed on present memory location

E) Machine table dictates which elementary operation is performed

Question 8

Neuroanatomy & physiology (3)

Answer 8

A) Brains are only 25% neurons

B) Brain activity is influenced by complex metabolic processes & states

C) Therefore, info theory too limited

Question 9

Problem of conceivability (4)

Answer 9

A) Philosophical research relies heavily on thought experiments

B) Method to understand what is possible -> but non-empirical

C) Conceiving is itself a biological process

D) Therefore, thought experiments might tell us more about imagination than about phenomena

Question 10

Biological explanations (2)

Answer 10

A) Proximate causes: ahistorical & instantaneous (e.g. fever -> immune system reaction)

B) Ultimate cause: historical & multiple steps back (e.g. fever -> … -> hugged sick person)

Question 11

Tinbergen’s 4 questions (4)

Answer 11

A) Causation: where from?
(Level of chemistry, neurobiology)

B) Development: how did it come about?
(Level of biological & psychological development)

C) Adaptation: How does it contribute to species’ reproductive fitness?
(Level of biological advantages)

D) Evolution: How has it evolved?
(Level of evolution)