Autor: tstadmin
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How to address the problem of sentience?
In the field of philosophical ideas we can not (easily) make predictions, but we can prove and demand that philosophical hypotheses should have: Regarding the proposed subject: Clarity Internal coherence Compatibility with the evidence (observations, experiences) Explanatory capacity Parsimony, in the sense of leaving out accessory or arbitrary elements Regarding the author, the creation process,…
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Asymmetries and compensations between pleasure and pain
There are two very related questions: “Is there a symmetry between suffering and enjoyment?” and “Can suffering be compensated with enjoyment?” Investigating the way in which we respond to these questions is very relevant, since we may have biases or blindness that are encouraging to make bad decisions, such as the survivorship bias. By better understanding…
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Existential biases
This is a list of some fallacies used to deceive oneself. They are similar to cognitive biases or argumentative fallacies but of greater importance and more difficult to prove. Probably they have an evolutionary component and anthropic as well. About Life and death: – I’ve always existed. – I will never die. – Not existing would be horrible,…
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Graph of causes of death in humans by Mike Huemer
Graph of causes of death in humans by Mike Huemer Text by Mike Huemer: What’s killing us? I made the following graph. I include the top ten causes of death in the U.S., plus homicide and illegal drug overdoses, because the latter two are actually discussed in political discourse. Observations: 1. The top causes of…
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Brainless fungi trade resources with plants like a stock market
In soils across the world, fungi trade resources with the plants they colonise in a mutually beneficial relationship. But it turns out the fungi are savvy traders, taking advantage of their partners by shuttling goods to nutrient-starved areas where plants are willing to pay more than usual… Read more
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Ron Anderson on causes of extreme suffering in humans
Ron Anderson (Ronald E. Anderson) from worldsuffering.org on causes of extreme suffering in humans.
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Why Does Very Hot Water Sometimes Feel Cold?
Cold receptors primarily react to temperatures ranging from 68 to 86˚F, while warm receptors are activated between 86˚F and 104˚F. At extreme temperatures—below 60˚F and beyond 113˚F—the temperature signal is accompanied by a sensation of pain. Weirdly, researchers have discovered that at temperatures greater than 113˚F, some cold receptors can also fire. The majority of…
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Disadvantages of the measures
We usually start measuring what we can measure well, and we lack motivation to try to measure what we cannot measure well. In this way, the measurement makes invisible the elements that are more difficult to measure although they could be much more relevant. This increases the risk of ignoring those other elements and even…