Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Hermarchus, Roger Scruton and Antonio Damasio

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2 ideas

15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / d. Purpose of consciousness

4271	There is consciousness whenever behaviour must be explained in terms of mental activity [Scruton]
	Full Idea: There is consciousness whenever behaviour must be explained in terms of mental activity.
	From: Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.23)
	A reaction: Not a point that would trouble an eliminativist, as it sounds suspiciously circular or question-begging.

15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 10. Conatus/Striving

21867	Conatus is brain circuits seeking survival and well-being [Damasio]
	Full Idea: Conatus is explicable as the aggregate of dispositions laid down in brain circuitry that seeks both survival and well-being.
	From: Antonio Damasio (Looking for Spinoza [2003], p.36)
	A reaction: So conatus is the motivation of my inner personal assistant, who reminds me what I am doing later today. I like the mention of dispositions, hence powers.