Science, brain, humanity

Science, Brains, Humanity

Paul Grobstein

Liberal Arts Honors Program, City College of New York
Science 10001, Man and Nature: Life
Second Class (click for first class)
December 8, 2004

Is there anything in our discussion of the brain that makes one think differently about what humans are? who one is oneself? And does it seem to have any implications for
What is science?
Where does it come from?
Is it good for humanity?
Stories from the on-line forum area.

Reminders from first class

Brain as explorer
Brain as story teller
Brain as creator

Science as exploring, story telling, creating (and ingredient for ... )

Note

No "true" or "right", only "less wrong"
Loop similar to brain
Everyone equiped to be an explorer
Story telling = summary of observations, the creative crack
Products create new possibilities
Point is exploration, mandate is "profound skepticism"
"Good" for humanity? Ethic?

Science in Society: science as a social activity

Note

Both individual stories and collective stories

Science in Society: the interplay between individual and cultural stories

Science is a part of culture
A reflective/deliberate change agent ... for individuals and cultures?
Non-hierarchical?

Science in the universe

Exploration at cosmic scales of space and time
Life and then brain an accelerator of exploration
Science a further accelerator, if we can learn to use/accept it?

Further reading

If you're particularly interested, have a little extra time, want to join in another conversation as well, have a look at
"Writing Descartes: I Am, and I Can Think, Therefore ..."

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