35 replies to this topic

[brzghoff]

thismoment,

 

unfortunately when i clicked on the link i got the following message:

 

" this video contains content from CBS who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds"

 

i understand what you mean about changed brains - however, we make choices that make that change, it may be in order to what we think requires our survival. but it is always a choice. there are no shoulds or musts. just things that may be (or may not be) in our best interest. once we choose to think something, then neuroplasticity comes into play to hardwire that connection. that's why anxiety is such a bitch. 

[thismoment]

brzghoff

Oh sorry it didn't play.

I think I understand where we differ in how we view things. I agree that choices cause much of what goes into our brains, but my view focuses on where the choices come from. Our scientific evidence- empirical data- shows that we live in a universe of cause-and-effect. Every event (from exploding stars to choosing chocolate over vanilla) comes from prior causes, either known or unknown.

If you were never trained as a surgeon you couldn't choose to perform a flawless appendectomy. If you were raised (trained) to be a compassionate caregiver to animals you couldn't choose to strangle all the kittens in the pet store.

While we don't author our choices, we must face the consequences of those choices. I don't feel guilty for having chosen to take Cymbalta, but I am unhappy with the consequences. I'm not guilty for having made what I now believe to be a bad choice, and I acknowledge I could NOT have chosen otherwise. I bear no guilt for the choice because I didn't author it.

If humans are able to make choices that are NOT the result of prior causes, then that would be a truly random event not observed anywhere else in the natural universe-- it would be supernatural! I don't believe in the supernatural because I haven't seen any evidence of it.

[thismoment]

Liberty slogans abound in the wake of the horror story unfolding in France, and Voltaire is often quoted. Here's one:

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

But my favorite Voltaire quip is this-- "Le secret d'ennuyer est celui de tout dire." (The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.)

[gail]

Je ne sais pas out je vais, mais j'y vais!

I don't know where I am going but I am on my way!

That one I like from Voltaire.

[fishinghat]

It always looks the darkest before it turns totally black!!

 

My Father (He definitely was not an optimist.)

[thismoment]

moved. see Thirteen Commandments