#Cognitive processes

[raffaellopalandri]

On Choosing: A Multifaceted Exploration

Choosing is an inherently human act that defines our existence and shapes the trajectory of our lives. It is through choices that we create meaning, forge our paths, and exert agency in a world rife with unpredictability. A choice, at its core, is the deliberate act of selecting one course of action over another, often driven by values, reasoning, and awareness. Yet, the distinction between…

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Knowledge Theory

The philosophy of knowledge theory, also known as epistemology, is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature, origin, scope, and limits of human knowledge. It seeks to answer fundamental questions about what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and how we can differentiate between true knowledge and mere belief or opinion.

Epistemology is concerned with several core issues, including:

Definition of Knowledge: One of the central debates in epistemology is the definition of knowledge. The traditional definition, dating back to Plato, is that knowledge is "justified true belief." However, this definition has been challenged and refined over the centuries, particularly with the introduction of the Gettier problems, which illustrate situations where justified true belief might still fail to constitute knowledge.

Sources of Knowledge: Epistemologists investigate various sources of knowledge, such as perception, reason, memory, and testimony. Each source has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding how they contribute to knowledge is crucial for a comprehensive epistemological framework.

Justification: This involves exploring the criteria and methods by which beliefs are justified. Theories of justification include foundationalism, which posits that certain basic beliefs provide the foundation for all other beliefs, and coherentism, which suggests that beliefs are justified by their coherence with other beliefs.

Skepticism: Epistemology also addresses skepticism, the view that certain or all knowledge is impossible. Philosophers debate various forms of skepticism and attempt to refute or accommodate them within their theories of knowledge.

Epistemic Virtues and Vices: This area examines the intellectual character traits that promote or hinder the acquisition of knowledge, such as open-mindedness, intellectual courage, and intellectual humility. Theories like virtue epistemology focus on these traits as central to understanding how knowledge is gained and maintained.

The Role of Context: Contextualism is the view that the truth-value of knowledge claims can depend on the context in which they are made. This approach addresses how varying standards of evidence and justification might apply in different situations.

Key Theories in Knowledge Theory

Empiricism: The theory that knowledge primarily comes from sensory experience. Prominent empiricists include John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume.

Rationalism: The theory that reason and intellectual processes are the primary sources of knowledge. Key rationalists include René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

Constructivism: The theory that knowledge is constructed by individuals through their interactions with the world. Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are notable figures in constructivist thought.

Pragmatism: The theory that knowledge is validated by its practical consequences and utility. Key pragmatists include Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey.

Reliabilism: The theory that beliefs are justified if they are produced by processes that reliably yield true beliefs. This approach focuses on the reliability of the cognitive processes involved in belief formation.

Virtue Epistemology: This theory emphasizes the role of intellectual virtues—character traits that contribute to the acquisition and retention of knowledge. Figures like Linda Zagzebski and Ernest Sosa have contributed significantly to this field.

The philosophy of knowledge theory is a dynamic and complex field that continues to evolve as new challenges and perspectives emerge. It plays a critical role in our understanding of how we come to know what we know and in addressing fundamental questions about the nature and limits of human cognition.

[bustlingresurrection]

I haven't posted in a long while and I've just read something in a post by @letsbelonelytogetherr on Instagram which I think is very much worth commenting on:

This is a very interesting quote, because psychologically, our perception of people, and of pretty much everything we come into contact with, is transformed in our minds in a representation of them. That representation is usually schematic and very few people cand make it into sth complex or even true or close to "reality". Without that representation there cannot be any memory of that person, object or event, so the memory by default is already altered. That being said, whenever we conjure up a memory, we have to deal with the new perception of that memory. That memory is perceived consciously when we bring it up from the subconscious. So, the perception of the memory is then subjected to the representation process, and then it becomes a memory. It becomes a memory of a memory. At the end of the process, however many times we conjure up a person, thing, or event in our mind, that many times the person, thing or event falls victim to a metamorphosis. It is no longer that specific person, thing or event. It becomes our own projection and idealization or demonisation of it. When we miss something or someone, we think of them often, we conjure them up often. We change them often. We cannot possibly end up remembering them accurately, because each time we miss them, we change them. This happens more profoundly if the thought process and the cognitive scheme and emotional map of the person is altered, deviated or perturbed by a need for something specific, like a perfect unachievable love, or a traumatising amd victimising event that leaves them impotent, or a beautified childhood so they can make peace with less than ideal parental figures, etc.

I love this. Because, just as I have stated above, the way we perceive everything is what matters in the end. If we take people as they are and not as how they are useful to us, then our relationships may be longlasting, not limited to context. Friendships (true ones, not the contextual sort) have no real use aside from company and understanding, they are a space for being yourself.

"I am making others uncomfortable with my discomfort" actually points to 2 distinct issues. First, people don't usually like to look at someone else, to see someone else, let alone listen to someone else's issues. Forget about aiding them. So voicing your own problems is often resulting in being ignored or abandoned. People run from other people, that is a fundamental truth in a sick society promoting the ego. Second, there is also the kind of people who have been holding everything inside for so long, that they have adopted a sort of "taciturn victim" aura. They implicitly pressure others into noticing what they aren't voicing, and no one, not even an altruistic and empathetic individual, likes being burdened with the responsibility of healing or dealing with issues that do not directly concern them. Eventually, perpetual whiners will be excluded.

[storyvoice]

Long-term study challenges idea that cannabis harms the brain

[sokolygrandaananeva]

Exploring Mind Control: Ethics and Implications

The mind is a complex and multifaceted aspect of human consciousness and cognition. It encompasses various mental processes such as thoughts, perceptions, emotions, memories, and reasoning abilities.

[touchaheartnews]

Researchers Warn: AI's Negative Effects

Touchaheart.com.ng reports that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly integrated into various aspects of our daily lives, transforming how we work, communicate, and solve problems. While AI offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency and convenience, researchers are increasingly concerned about its potential negative impact on critical thinking, analysis, and other cognitive…

[divinefem333]

ADHD & SPEECH #mentaldisorder #adhders #mentaldisorders #speechproblems ...

[tmarshconnors]

Marvels of Memory

Have you ever marvelled at the wonders of the human mind? It's truly fascinating how our brains can store and retrieve memories with such intricate detail, almost like flipping through a mental photo album. One such memory that constantly astounds me is my visit to Keighley in Yorkshire last year, particularly a seemingly mundane trip to McDonald's with my girlfriend.

As I reminisce about that night, it's incredible how effortlessly I can recall the smallest details of that McDonald's branch—the layout, the colours, the aroma of fries lingering in the air. It's as if my mind has created a perfect replica of the place, ready to be revisited at any moment.

What strikes me the most is the automaticity of this process. I didn't consciously set out to memorise the interior of that McDonald's, yet here I am, able to recall it vividly as if I had just stepped out of there yesterday. It makes me wonder: do others experience this phenomenon too, or is it just something unique to my own mind?

Reflecting on this, I've come to realise that memory is a complex and mysterious aspect of human cognition. Our brains are constantly processing and encoding information from our surroundings, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that shape who we are. And sometimes, these memories resurface in unexpected ways, like a sudden flashback to a familiar place or a forgotten conversation.

But what exactly enables our minds to store and retrieve memories with such precision? Neuroscience offers some insights into this question, suggesting that our brains form connections between neurone when we experience something new, creating neural pathways that can be activated later to recall that memory. It's a bit like a well-worn path in the woods, easily navigable because of the footsteps that have treaded it before.

In the case of my visit to Keighley's McDonald's, perhaps the familiarity of the environment, coupled with the emotional significance of spending time with my girlfriend, played a role in cementing that memory in my mind. After all, our memories are not just snapshots of events but are often imbued with personal meaning and associations.

But regardless of the underlying mechanisms, the fact remains: the human mind is a remarkable thing. It's capable of storing vast amounts of information, from the mundane to the profound, and retrieving it with astonishing accuracy when needed. And while we may not fully understand all the intricacies of how memory works, we can certainly appreciate its awe-inspiring capabilities.

So the next time you find yourself wandering down memory lane, take a moment to marvel at the incredible workings of your mind. Whether it's recalling the interior of a McDonald's in Keighley or any other seemingly insignificant detail, remember that each memory is a testament to the remarkable complexity of the human brain. And in that complexity lies a beauty that is truly worth celebrating.

[ytvideoseo]

Meaning-Making, Beliefs and Attachment Styles

Meaning-making, Beliefs, and Attachment Styles intertwine to shape our perception of the world and our relationships. Meaning-making refers to the process of creating significance from our experiences, while beliefs influence our interpretations and actions. Attachment styles, rooted in early relationships, dictate how we connect with others emotionally. Understanding these constructs sheds light…

[felixwylde]

Superstitions and Minds

Are you superstitious? Superstitions are beliefs that one thing can cause another without any logical reason, like thinking finding a penny will bring good luck. People have studied why we believe in these things, and it turns out our brains like to find patterns and make connections, even when there aren’t any. This habit comes from our ancestors, who needed to guess what was happening around…

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Virtue Epistemology

Virtue epistemology is an approach within the field of epistemology that emphasizes the role of the intellectual virtues in the acquisition and justification of knowledge. This perspective shifts the focus from traditional epistemological concerns about the nature and scope of knowledge to the character and intellectual virtues of the knower. It suggests that possessing certain intellectual virtues—such as open-mindedness, intellectual courage, and intellectual humility—plays a crucial role in forming true beliefs and achieving knowledge.

Key Concepts and Theories in Virtue Epistemology

Intellectual Virtues: Central to virtue epistemology are intellectual virtues, which are traits or qualities that aid individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and truth. Examples include curiosity, diligence, intellectual autonomy, and fair-mindedness. These virtues help guide one's cognitive processes and decision-making in epistemic practices.

Responsibilist Virtue Epistemology: This branch focuses on the agent's responsibility in cultivating intellectual virtues. It holds that individuals are responsible for developing and exercising intellectual virtues to become good knowers. Linda Zagzebski and Lorraine Code are prominent philosophers in this tradition.

Reliabilist Virtue Epistemology: Contrasting with responsibilism, reliabilist virtue epistemology emphasizes the reliability of cognitive processes and abilities in producing true beliefs. Here, intellectual virtues are seen as reliable faculties or competences that lead to the formation of true beliefs. Ernest Sosa is a key figure in this school of thought.

Epistemic Responsibility: Virtue epistemology underscores the importance of epistemic responsibility, which involves being accountable for one's beliefs and ensuring they are well-grounded. This responsibility is closely tied to the cultivation and exercise of intellectual virtues.

Contextualism and Situationism: These theories examine how context and situational factors influence the exercise of intellectual virtues. They explore the interplay between an individual's character and their environment, highlighting the importance of external conditions in the development and application of intellectual virtues.

Moral and Epistemic Virtues: Virtue epistemology often draws parallels between moral virtues and intellectual virtues. Just as moral virtues contribute to ethical behavior, intellectual virtues contribute to epistemic excellence. This analogy helps bridge the gap between ethical and epistemic evaluations of individuals.

Virtue epistemology offers a rich and nuanced framework for understanding knowledge acquisition and justification. By focusing on the intellectual character and virtues of the knower, it provides a comprehensive approach that integrates ethical considerations into epistemic practices. This perspective not only enhances our understanding of what it means to know but also encourages the cultivation of intellectual virtues that contribute to a flourishing epistemic life.

[nicholasandriani]

Metacognition and Game-Based Learning. Notes on Scaffolding Education, Game Design and Graduate School

“EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES IN THE CLASSROOMEnhancing Learning Through Self-Awareness and Critical ThinkingEducators have the power to nurture students’ self-knowledge by engaging them in activities that promote reflection on their learning journey. Understanding and managing one’s cognitive processes, known as metacognition, involves higher-order thinking skills that are critical to learning. This…

[pebblegalaxy]

Unraveling the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Exploring Language's Impact on Thought and Perception

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Exploring the Linguistic Relativity of Thought and Perception The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, suggests that the structure and content of a language significantly influence the way its speakers perceive and think about the world. This controversial hypothesis has sparked intense debates and captivated the attention of linguists,…

[hoahoahoahoahoa]

New Moon au where Bella leaves and Edward stays… even though Bella’s still the one getting dumped

Edward breaks up with her in the woods and skedaddles, same as canon. But instead of curling up in the woods, Bella's mind kinda snaps and she decides she, too, is leaving.

She tries to follow Edward, same as she does in canon, and just... keeps going. Maybe she tries to track the Cullens down at first, because even if they can run stupid fast, they do settle down for years at a time. They're not actually moving targets. After however long she realizes the futility because she has so little to go on and they're very good at disappearing when need be (and mega rich enough to move to some remote chalet in Norway or whathaveyou).

Ironically, Bella couldn't convince Edward to stay with her words, but her leaving has the whole family essentially stuck there. When she decided to not go home, Alice got visions of search parties, missing posters and tv coverage, and a lot of suspicion on her boyfriend and his strange, reclusive family. To minimize the scrutiny, the Cullens returned to Forks. Edward has to pretend that he never tried to leave her (disappearance after a break-up means more suspicion of foul play), but he doesn't need to pretend he's appropriately aggrieved over Bella's disappearance.

Eventually, Bella gives up on doesn't so much give up on her search for the Cullens as she lets herself go numb and embraces the anonymity of leaving her life and identity behind. She pulls a Buffy Summers and gets a job as a waitress under a false name at a diner so generic that Alice can't pinpoint where the hell it is from her visions. In fact, Bella's derealization and disassociation are so thorough that she becomes a blank spot in Alice's sight altogether. Sam's participation in the search parties messes with her scent trail in the woods. Tracking Bella becomes just about impossible.

Edward knows she's smart and resourceful, but as far as anyone can tell she never came back for her wallet and truck, never packed a bag... if she didn't die within days from exposure or a bear, she's living a very hard life in a big dangerous world, all on her own. And it's not like her to not call and tell her parents that she's okay, at least.

So yes, Edward Anthony "Paranoia" Masen Cullen is fully convinced she's dead, and fucking off to Volterra about it will bring too much scrutiny to his family, so he can't bring himself to do it. He drops out of Forks for "homeschooling" because he simply cannot do high school anymore (he doesn't know which thoughts are more agonizing: those believing he killed her himself [he agrees with them, more or less], or pity over his grief). Occasionally he'll parade himself around town just to be seen, but otherwise he curls up in the woods. <Possibility.mp3>

I can't really decide where it goes from there:

-Maybe Bella eventually comes back of her own volition. A little hardened, better-traveled, she's learned a lot. Most importantly, she's learned that even at her lowest, she can still get by on her own. When Edward catches wind of it (literally, he catches her scent when he's out for his daily mope around the woods behind the Swan house) he wonders if a dead man can have a heart attack

-Once Bella has healed enough, Alice can see her again and manages to piece together where she is. The right thing to do would be to tip Charlie off, but she's an adult and doesn't appear to be in danger, so do they respect her apparent choice to disappear? Enough time has passed that Edward can leave Forks to track her down, but can he bring himself to ruin the little bit of peace she's carved out for herself once he finds her? (spoiler: he can't resist, but he just watches her for a while at first, and he's not as sneaky as he thinks, so she thinks she's just hallucinating him)

-???? help

[buqbite]

Time loops and the abstraction of one's self-image

[sanders-sides-uncorrect-quotes]

Despite trying to hide the fact that he has emotions, Logan was still quite clearly pleased when Virgil was revealed once he was calmed down from his panic, after years of being surrounded by extroverts it was nice to be able to finally interact with another introvert, even if his main function (paranoid and irrational thoughts and actions) seems to directly oppose him