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So many things to address! I really liked Lyndsey's queries concerning animals as related to the I-function. The philsopher A. MacIntyre wrote that while animals can feel pain and joy and intelligence in the same way that humans can, the key difference between the two lies in the human ability to self-reflect, or, the more or less physical manifestation of the I-function. We constantly ponder the human condition, the connection between morality and virtue, and even the relationship between the conscious and the unconscious mind. During class on Thursday, I had the suspiscion that perhaps the neo-cortex was strongly linked to the I-function, but after reading Lyndsey's comments and recalling MacIntyre's argument, I'm not so sure anymore. While, for example, my dog knows when he has committed a crime in our household, I am fairly sure he does not spend his days wondering why certain rules have been set in place or even the legitimacy of the institution which has created those rules. I am now beginning to believe that it is this mode of self-reflection that somehow links the mind and the brain.

 Another interesting point of contention was the discussion we had at the end of class on Thursday which mentioned the I function model as an illustration of distinct dualism between the conscious and the unconscious mind. Although this next thought may be painfully irrelevant, the point of dualism reminded me of the Manichaen belief in dualism as inherent in all aspects of life-the same type of distinction which can be made between the mind and the brain. I've forgotten what my original point was with this, but I'll think on it...