I realize that it’s not the main focus of the article, but I found the bit about locating brain functions and whether a part of the brain is necessary or sufficient to cause some function interesting. To me, that’s the largest hole in my belief in materialism: we’ve observed that certain areas of the brain are necessary for some functions, but not that they are sufficient. I hope that once these areas have been properly simulated, it may prove sufficient, but there is some doubt.
I hope that once these areas have been properly simulated, it may prove sufficient, but there is some doubt.
Not a lot, though—we have strong reasons independent of personality to believe that materialism is correct, and it remains plausible that remaining questions can be answered without resorting to non-materialist explanations.
I realize that it’s not the main focus of the article, but I found the bit about locating brain functions and whether a part of the brain is necessary or sufficient to cause some function interesting. To me, that’s the largest hole in my belief in materialism: we’ve observed that certain areas of the brain are necessary for some functions, but not that they are sufficient. I hope that once these areas have been properly simulated, it may prove sufficient, but there is some doubt.
Not a lot, though—we have strong reasons independent of personality to believe that materialism is correct, and it remains plausible that remaining questions can be answered without resorting to non-materialist explanations.
P.S. Welcome to Less Wrong! Feel free to post an introduction in the welcome thread.