“A crucial tool of evolutionary biology to adopt the intentional stance and utilize this functional way of thinking. But this is a statement about empirical science, and how we learn and understand: it is an epistemological and not an ontological argument. A hierarchical cascade of causal powers, of abilities that are characteristic of living things arranged in increasingly complex and differentiated systems. The individual cell's rearrangement of molecules in response to an "information economy" like that created by the brain is the crucial bridging function between the physical and the mental.This ability is precisely what makes it possible for the "mental world" to have causal powers over the physical world: and vice versa. The information stored in the cell's 3-D structure is individual-specific. It dies with the cell, and cannot be passed on in its DNA. From an engineer's point of view, this is the magic step where the individual's arrangement of matter changes, autonomously, into something better able to cope with the future. The dawning of representations automatically and immediately leads to the next stage.” Fitch, W. T., "Nano-intentionality: A defense of intrinsic intentionality," Biology and Philosophy 23: 157-177
“No less important, art became a way to explore one’s own individuality and the ind of others, a means to rehearse specific aspects of life, and a means to exercise moral judgement and moral actions. Ultimately, because the arts have deep roots in biology and the human body but can elevate humans to the greatest heights of thought and feeling, they became a way into the homeostatic refinement that humans eventually idealized and longed to achieve, the biological counterpart of a spiritual dimension in human affairs.” Antonio Damasio, Self Comes to Mind
Though the media are by definition seeking to inform the public, it is notable that they are particularly prone to spreading misinformation for systemic reasons that are worth of analysis and exposure. With regard to new media, the internet has placed immense quantities of information, but it has also contributed to the spread of misinformation. The growing use of social networks may foster the quick and wide dissemination of misinformation. The fractioning of information netscape by new media is an important contributor to misinformation’s particular resilience to correction. Misinformation and Its Correction, Continued Influence and Successful Debiasing
“Culture is formed out of exchanges and thrives on differences.” Simon Leys, The Hall of Uselessness
“The revelation that one has a life-threatening disease creates a sentient flood of emotions that infuse the patient with fear, confusion and depression. It contains the spectrum of pain, suffering, deterioration of life-style, crippling and possible annihilation. This burden falls first on the patient and his family, and then on his doctor. The drama is a dilemma of cure or palliation wrapped about the emotional core of that person with science, drugs, technology, mysticism and hope. The ongoing process is the most dynamic encounter of being alive, and before it is finished will have used and drained a large percentage of the vulnerable emotions that identify humanness.” The meaning of life-threatening disease
“Medicine is the only world-wide profession, following everywhere the same methods, actuated by the same ambitions, and pursuing the same end. This homogeneity, its most characteristic feature, is not shared by the law or religion”, nor the ‘extraordinary solidarity which makes the physician at home in any country.’The medical duty to treat people with humanity and respect applies to all patients. Physicians must be aware that, during armed conflict or other situations of violence, health care becomes increasingly susceptible to unscrupulous practice and the distribution of poor quality / counterfeit materials and medicines, and must attempt to take action on such practices. As such, the WMA supports the collection and dissemination of data related to assaults on physicians, other health care personnel and medical facilities, by an international body. Assaults against medical personnel must be investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.” The Solidarity and Health Neutrality of Physicians in War & Peace
