There is also a growing body of evidence from neuroscience that awareness of "deciding" may merely be a useful illusion, the real decision-making process having been completed subconsciously a split second earlier.
I recently saw a documentary on that, dragged into the context of voting and politics. Intriguing!
When thinking of this decision making this, it made me remember a video lecture I posted last year when you were still down under, if you haven't seen it yet, you might find it interesting: http://aka-phoenix.livejournal.com/40552.html
Thanks! It was entertaining - Stoic philosophy with fireworks! But these showbiz psychology profs (cf. Richard Wiseman) can get too full of themselves, reading too much into responses to their silly multiple choice tests, in this case equating a tick-box preference with "happiness".
If pressed for a definite response, most people who are largely indifferent to the question will let themselves be guided by some trivial stimulus. That's why surveys show actual UK churchgoing at 6%, while polls suggest >50% Church of England affiliation. In reality the respondents don't care about the question, and answering "C of E" is a good, safe way to bring the discussion to a close.
But I like the point about the human brain being a simulator: that is its most significant and powerful function.
*grin* Anyway, apart from whether or not I agree with his thesis, I do think it is an interesting way of looking at things. 'Interesting' not necessarily meaning 'right' or 'yeah, right' ;) All the while being entertaining too: ++
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I recently saw a documentary on that, dragged into the context of voting and politics. Intriguing!
When thinking of this decision making this, it made me remember a video lecture I posted last year when you were still down under, if you haven't seen it yet, you might find it interesting:
http://aka-phoenix.livejournal.com/40552.html
Reply
If pressed for a definite response, most people who are largely indifferent to the question will let themselves be guided by some trivial stimulus. That's why surveys show actual UK churchgoing at 6%, while polls suggest >50% Church of England affiliation. In reality the respondents don't care about the question, and answering "C of E" is a good, safe way to bring the discussion to a close.
But I like the point about the human brain being a simulator: that is its most significant and powerful function.
Off to make some liver and onion ice cream...
;)
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*grin* Anyway, apart from whether or not I agree with his thesis, I do think it is an interesting way of looking at things. 'Interesting' not necessarily meaning 'right' or 'yeah, right' ;) All the while being entertaining too: ++
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