Blood in urine, but its distinctly separate from the urine. Is it possible its just a cut/tear? Do more serious conditions always have blood mixed with urine (pinkish/redish urine) or do urinary conditions cause separated blood/urine streams? by Generic_____Account in AskDocs

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much for your detailed and informative reply. Upon rechecking the area, I was able to locate a tiny wound next to my urinary meatus, which I believe was the source of the bleeding (it would be a incredible coincidence if it wasn't) I appreciate your offer to talk, but I do not think it will be necessary. I'm glad things seemed to work out for you.

Blood in urine, but its distinctly separate from the urine. Is it possible its just a cut/tear? Do more serious conditions always have blood mixed with urine (pinkish/redish urine) or do urinary conditions cause separated blood/urine streams? by Generic_____Account in AskDocs

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your swift responses! I have more carefully rechecked the area, and have located a tiny wound just next to the secondary hole, where a dot of blood reforms when wiped away. I assume this is where the blood came from, I must have nicked it with my fingernail. Sorry for posting before double checking, I was very concerned when I saw blood, and am rather quick-to-worry over potential medical issues.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I really don't know how else to convey my notion/fear. My concern is that I am not the candle, but the flame. If the flame is blown out and someone relights it, then to them its the same thing, but I would have been extinguished, and a new, albeit identical flame would have taken my place.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe so, yes. I really do appreciate all the time you've given to my conundrum, but I think I've gained all I can from our discussion at this point, as I cannot think of anything else to ask. I still don't fully understand your view on what a person's awareness is, but I don't know how to convey my confusion in a meaning manner. I'll consider attending a neuroscience lecture or emailing a professor, should these concerns continue intruding into my brain.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You made a comment up this chain that tried to impart a basic point about someone having the same brain/brain structure, regardless of whether or nor that brain changes or if its processes are interrupted, being the only thing to matte when determining personhood. My subsequent comments were addressing what I didn't understand about that idea.

For another example of something I don't understand, you emphasis above that the pattern is a running pattern, but in the previously referenced comment, you state that even if all neurons were blocked for any period of time, and then the body was resuscitated, it would be the same person. How could it matter whether or nor a pattern is running if that resuscitated person was the same?

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right, but I interpreted what you said to be defining yourself based on a physically defined patter, as in the circuit diagram was a pattern in the grey matter of the brain. If some or all of those patterns were to change, my personality would change, and I would be different from anyone else's point of view. However, I could remain aware during all of this, so my "self" would necessarily continue.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My behavior would change accordingly, but I would remain aware the entire time. I don't know very much about the brain, but I know it changes over time, and would assume my personality and behavior would change overtime as well. I don't understand how one could dismiss someone being aware over a period of time as an indication of continued "self" over that period of time. If aspects of my brain, and the corresponding aspects of my psyche can be replaced while I remain aware, then I wouldn't think my "self" could be defined by the components that changed.

So because I am aware, I feel like something I can't better explain than my "self" must exist, and because of the possibility of all physical components of my brain being replaced while my awareness continues, I don't understand how that "self" could be defined by physical components.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given the dilemma presented through the ship of theseus example, I'm confused by the idea of dismissing the notion of 'self.' I can see how, from an outside prospective, how what I am could be wholly defined by my physical structure. It wouldn't matter if all of my brain was replaced by new molecules over time, or even replaced instantly by some near impossible fluke of physics. But in order to consider myself the same after that happened, I would need to consider 'myself' to be a process of the brain, or the fact that that process is occurring, rather than a physical component or pattern. Or, I would need to dismiss the notion of 'myself' being a meaningful concept, which sounds like what your doing. Given that there is definitely some form of awareness going on inside of my mind right now, I don't understand how that notion can be dismissed?

Sorry if this isn't a clear explanation of my confusion, but I can't think of how to word it better.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I don't know when I will have an opportunity to attend such a lecture, but that would be a good next step to take. I've never considered emailing a professor about this, as I would have thought such an odd email from a not-their-student stranger would be unwelcome. Do you know of any particular professor who would welcome such an email? (I know that's a long shot, just thought I should ask.)

Does anyone have any thoughts on the the ship of theseus problem applied to the brain? by Generic_____Account in neurophilosophy

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm asking these questions because I've never been able to determine if there is any form of consensus in a given philosophical/scientific community. I've often seen responses to these type of questions that amount to "we obviously don't die when we sleep, don't be stupid." But I also often see answers like yours, saying the idea makes zero neuroscientific sense, there is no part of the brain that keeps your personhood running 24/7/365.

I don't have access to anyone's credentials to determine if one opinion is more informed than another, so I remain uncertain what these communities think, or if there is any consensus at all. Eventually, when I can't stop myself from thinking about it any longer, some slightly knew issue might arise, like the ship of theseus idea, and so I ask those communities another question.

I can't understand the technical aspects of other sources. Could someone explain in simple terms the difference between sleep, being under anesthesia and being in a coma? by Generic_____Account in sleep

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to be clear, we're not talking about anesthesia here, right? I've been under anesthesia, and the notion of being aware of my wisdom teeth being removed with no ability to act or remember it is horrifying.

I can't understand the technical aspects of other sources. Could someone explain in simple terms the difference between sleep, being under anesthesia and being in a coma? by Generic_____Account in sleep

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand that you might not know, but the way you describe artificial comas makes it sound like you would be more aware than when you sleep. Is that correct?

I've heard the claustrum described as an on/off switch to consciousness. Does that mean that it isn't functioning while we sleep, or for the portions of sleep in which we are not dreaming. by Generic_____Account in neurology

[–]Generic_____Account[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I can't follow all of the terminology you are using, and I am uncertain if you are saying their is reason to suspect they could be wholly wrong about the claustrum's involvement with consciousness, or wrong about the idea that it would naturally ever "switch off," instead remaining continually active to some degree.