You are viewing the historical archive of The Philosophy Forum.
For current discussions, visit the live forum.
Go to live forum

Roy Davies

['Member']Joined: September 29, 2020 at 22:42Last active: October 09, 2020 at 02:363 discussions76 comments
Location: New Zealand

Bio

I'm a thinking engineer with a background in Computer Science, Cognitive Science and Human Factors. As a consultant, I describe myself as an expert in Mixed Reality and Calm Computing.

Favourite Philosopher

Currently: Popper and Berkeley

Discussions (3)

Comments

How would you know if you are thinking freely or merely have the concept of thinking freely. I think I can freely choose to spend time on this forum, ...
October 09, 2020 at 01:30
Just thinking further about the difference between ideas and organisms. True, an idea doesn't itself have a will, but does it induce a will in the min...
October 09, 2020 at 01:10
I like the logic there. I don't think it proves a zeroeth order, but it is a logical and sensible hypothesis that matches the observations and can eas...
October 09, 2020 at 01:06
Made me smile. I often use 'the VRguy' for the same reason - having worked in the VR industry for decades.
October 09, 2020 at 01:03
I like the concept behind this. I once started a highly unsuccessful website called humanitycomputer.org, the premise being that the human race should...
October 09, 2020 at 01:01
This presupposes that the only factor affecting a choice is morality. Morally, I might pick up a lost wallet and give it into the police station. If I...
October 09, 2020 at 00:56
Questions like this would normally be followed by a conjecture based on observations to which we could attempt refutation. I'm not sure how I can tell...
October 09, 2020 at 00:49
Indeed, we are animals who have evolved through millenia. Our first question always has to be "how is what I am thinking now biased by my evolutionary...
October 09, 2020 at 00:46
In a way, yes. Of course, if you choose to go against the moral norms of the society you are in, you won't be appreciated by the other members of the ...
October 09, 2020 at 00:43
Another theory of ideas comes more from the cognitive and behavioural science areas. We perceive, and this activates parts of our brains. Through inte...
October 09, 2020 at 00:31
This is the crux of the dilemma facing decisions made for the best of the planet, societies and people. We are now having the interests of another sel...
October 09, 2020 at 00:21
Sometimes a little humour can help lighten the mood.
October 09, 2020 at 00:18
An interesting and valid point. Of course, parasites evolve as well. One area where the analogy breaks down is that ideas are not self ambulatory, and...
October 09, 2020 at 00:17
I don't have a dog, but I know that cats can be selfish. If I put a pile of treats between our two cats, they won't stand back to let the other one in...
October 09, 2020 at 00:07
If I perceive something directly with my senses, that must form a first-order idea. Over time, I perceive many horses, and I build up an idea in my br...
October 03, 2020 at 11:22
Is there a difference between thinking one has free will because the system is so complex we cannot perceive the factors that contribute to determinis...
October 03, 2020 at 11:05
I suppose that there are those who seek anonymity by choosing a nom de plume. Perhaps they are uncomfortable with having their statements associated w...
October 03, 2020 at 11:01
What if we lived in a harsh environment where a sick person would mean we have to spend effort on looking after them, to the extent that the entire gr...
October 03, 2020 at 10:51
Oh, I don't know: A dancing crow
October 03, 2020 at 10:45
I think this has to be the quote of year... Though perhaps one could even say that "Philosophy is like a cow that eats ideas, chews over them again an...
October 03, 2020 at 10:40
I'm sure it is, but one has to push an analogy beyond its limits in order to define the border.
October 03, 2020 at 10:38
Yes, but what is the rule that ensures survival? In natural systems, it is survival of the fittest, but in an artificial system, one has to create the...
October 03, 2020 at 10:36
Perhaps we are not imaginative enough to come up with something more inventive.
October 03, 2020 at 10:32
There are many interesting philosophies, ways that people attempt to explain the world they perceive, and ways to get along. It's interesting to talk ...
October 03, 2020 at 10:29
That seems sensible. An evolutionary benefit.
October 03, 2020 at 10:14
Morality is a social convenience, nothing more.
October 03, 2020 at 10:13
The ultimate way to persuade someone is to first understand where they are coming from, in other words, knowing something about their state of mind an...
October 01, 2020 at 06:22
Isn’t morality subjective? Doesn’t it depend on the environment, culture, society in which one finds oneself? So, my morality would be different to yo...
October 01, 2020 at 06:16
Indeed. Popper talks about what I would think can best be described as how to value practical ideas. The scientific process, and in essence it is an a...
October 01, 2020 at 06:08
Pessimist or Realist?
October 01, 2020 at 05:56
If I observe that a burger I purchased is not good, I would make a conjecture as to why that might be so. Is it because the meat was off because it wa...
October 01, 2020 at 05:54
Good points. I’ll need to think about that a bit, but I think you are now getting into the next stage of my rather loose theory, which is most excelle...
October 01, 2020 at 05:45
So, back to the original point at the start, X observes O, and makes a hypothesis about O (the conjecture). (this is often the 'aha' or 'I wonder' mom...
September 30, 2020 at 23:05
In my understanding, observation is followed by conjecture which is then subjected to attempts to refute it. The value of the conjecture (not the obse...
September 30, 2020 at 23:01
Therein, by the way lies another interesting debate as to whether a stable and safe society (as one might wish to attain) breeds apathy and depression...
September 30, 2020 at 22:56
For the former - that is indeed the question. One would have to first decide what a positive direction is. For example, for the good of society? For t...
September 30, 2020 at 22:52
For the latter, I suggest reading Popper's "Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge" if you haven't already done so. He says i...
September 30, 2020 at 22:46
It is difficult to fight against the 'quick serotonin hit' of social media. Funnily enough, I've only just joined this forum, but I am finding it inte...
September 30, 2020 at 22:40
Very likely. I am curious about the different ways that ideas are valued across different cultures (and hence religions). And thus what we might learn...
September 30, 2020 at 22:31
I've often wondered about the pessimistic view of the 4 noble truths. What is the optimistic version? 1. Life is joy 2. Experience brings joy ergo 3. ...
September 30, 2020 at 22:30
The religion of science?
September 30, 2020 at 22:26
From a biological points of view, the way I understand emotions is this: 1) An entity perceives something. 2) This activates parts of the brain. 3) So...
September 30, 2020 at 22:24
Ideas might contribute to the successful existence of the entity thinking it, and thus be a positive influence on the entity and idea together, but th...
September 30, 2020 at 22:15
The power of art.
September 30, 2020 at 21:49
I think most animals have innate knowledge hard wired into the brain through Millenia of evolution. As do humans, but we can question some of it.
September 30, 2020 at 21:47
Brilliant, thank you all for such stimulating responses. I can conclude that you are all (probably) sentient, though might be clever computer programm...
September 30, 2020 at 21:39
Ok, but I'm interested in debating this.
September 30, 2020 at 09:38
They will, and do, but we have enough problem now with people being influenced by technology - this will make it even more complicated.
September 30, 2020 at 09:37
I think the problem is suggesting that an idea is 'good' or 'bad'. Going back to the evolution of ideas, whether an idea survives or not is not about ...
September 30, 2020 at 09:23
Ah yes. I agree the title is a little odd. The reason for prompting the discussion is part of a larger idea that interests me about human's relationsh...
September 30, 2020 at 09:17