Post by dhennessy on Oct 5, 2015 2:10:35 GMT
Film Test 5
1. The “virtual simulator” hypothesis explains that humanity’s success is based on our capability for abstract thought, particularly our ability to analyze or “simulate” future consequences to our actions. It is one of the defining characteristics of our species, and one of the most fundamental explanations for our dominance of the planet. This thought process is so ubiquitous in our daily lives, we often do it without realizing. Any time you plan for the future, make a purchasing decision, have a conversation with someone, or even decide what you want for breakfast, you are using your brain’s “virtual simulator” to weigh out your options and the future consequences for those actions. For example, I get and go to work in the morning even though sometimes I don’t feel like it because I know that I will need money to continue to be able to live comfortably, and my brain can weigh the future benefit of having money over the present benefit of sleeping in. Similarly, when I get paid, while it may be fun at the time to blow my paycheck on frivolous things, I can draw the conclusion that if I spend all my money, I will not be able to afford my rent this month, which will lead to not having a place to live. My brains “virtual simulator” allows me to plan beyond the present moment, and act accordingly.
2. Meaning Equivalence states that “Any meaning is better than no meaning, provided that such meaning makes one want to live another day.” In other words, the importance of meaning or beliefs lies with the value taken by the believer, not in the source or origination of the meaning itself. In regards to my own life, it is hard to point to a single source as the foundation of my belief system. Rather, I think that my own, and most other people’s belief systems are formed from numerous sources, such as upbringing, culture, religion, as well as personal experience. According to M.E., the source itself doesn’t really matter, as long as I find value in the meaning I take away from it. Whether we find meaning in a religion, from philosophy, or from something we saw on TV, the important thing is that the meaning helps us keep living.
3. Breaking it down to its most basic level, I would say that my purpose in life is fulfillment. I would argue that all of our lives are a constant quest to fulfill our various needs, and essentially everything we do in our lives is in reaction to a need, ingrained in us by evolution, that pushes us to action. We can clearly connect our basic physical needs to evolution: I eat because I am hungry, if I don’t eat I will die, therefore hunger is a need evolved to push me to eat so that I will survive. However, there are a number of more abstract needs, such as our need for leisure, socialization, relationships and community, intellectual stimulation, even our need to do some sort of work, which in one way or another have an evolutionary underpinning that has equipped us to better survive. I believe that while everyone shares these needs, each person has some that are stronger than others. You could say that most celebrities (and “wanna-be” celebrities) are driven by a powerful need for fame or approval, while an artist may
have a stronger need to create. This difference in our own hierarchy of needs, and the ways each person chooses to fulfill them results in the endless variation of humanity we see today. Personally, I feel my strongest needs are for security, agency, and the need for meaningful work. I’ve found that most of my personal goals in life and the decisions I make in attempt to reach them are a result of a strong need for independence and control over my life, the ability to live safely and comfortably, and the desire to direct my energy into something productive and meaningful.
1. The “virtual simulator” hypothesis explains that humanity’s success is based on our capability for abstract thought, particularly our ability to analyze or “simulate” future consequences to our actions. It is one of the defining characteristics of our species, and one of the most fundamental explanations for our dominance of the planet. This thought process is so ubiquitous in our daily lives, we often do it without realizing. Any time you plan for the future, make a purchasing decision, have a conversation with someone, or even decide what you want for breakfast, you are using your brain’s “virtual simulator” to weigh out your options and the future consequences for those actions. For example, I get and go to work in the morning even though sometimes I don’t feel like it because I know that I will need money to continue to be able to live comfortably, and my brain can weigh the future benefit of having money over the present benefit of sleeping in. Similarly, when I get paid, while it may be fun at the time to blow my paycheck on frivolous things, I can draw the conclusion that if I spend all my money, I will not be able to afford my rent this month, which will lead to not having a place to live. My brains “virtual simulator” allows me to plan beyond the present moment, and act accordingly.
2. Meaning Equivalence states that “Any meaning is better than no meaning, provided that such meaning makes one want to live another day.” In other words, the importance of meaning or beliefs lies with the value taken by the believer, not in the source or origination of the meaning itself. In regards to my own life, it is hard to point to a single source as the foundation of my belief system. Rather, I think that my own, and most other people’s belief systems are formed from numerous sources, such as upbringing, culture, religion, as well as personal experience. According to M.E., the source itself doesn’t really matter, as long as I find value in the meaning I take away from it. Whether we find meaning in a religion, from philosophy, or from something we saw on TV, the important thing is that the meaning helps us keep living.
3. Breaking it down to its most basic level, I would say that my purpose in life is fulfillment. I would argue that all of our lives are a constant quest to fulfill our various needs, and essentially everything we do in our lives is in reaction to a need, ingrained in us by evolution, that pushes us to action. We can clearly connect our basic physical needs to evolution: I eat because I am hungry, if I don’t eat I will die, therefore hunger is a need evolved to push me to eat so that I will survive. However, there are a number of more abstract needs, such as our need for leisure, socialization, relationships and community, intellectual stimulation, even our need to do some sort of work, which in one way or another have an evolutionary underpinning that has equipped us to better survive. I believe that while everyone shares these needs, each person has some that are stronger than others. You could say that most celebrities (and “wanna-be” celebrities) are driven by a powerful need for fame or approval, while an artist may
have a stronger need to create. This difference in our own hierarchy of needs, and the ways each person chooses to fulfill them results in the endless variation of humanity we see today. Personally, I feel my strongest needs are for security, agency, and the need for meaningful work. I’ve found that most of my personal goals in life and the decisions I make in attempt to reach them are a result of a strong need for independence and control over my life, the ability to live safely and comfortably, and the desire to direct my energy into something productive and meaningful.