And if it did, could we develop multiple selves?
2006-06-21 21:31:13 · 9 answers · asked by Mitchell 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I'm talking about two complex and independent thoughts - in other words, two centers of consciousness. If one was walking and talking, one would only have one train of conscious thought (talking) because activities such as walking can be done "automatically" (i.e. without really thinking about them).
2006-06-21 21:58:07 · update #1
Multitasking means alternating between two or more tasks in a given period of time. If one is doing two or more tasks at exactly the same time, he or she is either doing one of them automatically (without "thinking"), or alternating rapidly between the tasks (and thus not really thinking about them at exactly the same time).
2006-06-21 22:07:08 · update #2
I think because of our subconscious, we are all probably working on more than one complex thought at a time. The fact that we can wake up in the morning with some answers to questions from the day or week or some time before, would tend to support that idea. In fact our education really works that way, as there are questions in several areas that you need to keep somehow before your mind's eye, yet isolate for final exams into specific areas. It is nice when the knowledge becomes synthetized into a more 'whole' concept from the many 'parts' we are fed daily. At the same time it is a mystery how we think, but I do think we have evolved already that way through our levels of consciousness. I guess 'complex' needs to be defined, and the variety of possibilities like science, math, philosophy, etc. as well as how female versus male brains work.
2006-06-21 22:04:48 · answer #1 · answered by martian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some who suggest such mental "illnesses" are genetic leaps forward which the human person cannot handle as yet. For example bi-polar disorder or multiple-personality disorder. These wouldn't really be DIS-orders if we could harness it well enough to have multiply disciplined brain power and creativity. I think its possible though. Often when i walk with friends i'm talking with them about their problems, thinking on the problem itself (family trouble), considering a metaphysical conundrum i'm working on at the moment (multi-verse string theory and its philosophical implications). Not in a flitting around kind of mode of thinking but it sometimes overlaps so that within literally seconds on all topics i've jumped ahead by points. Its not easy and mentally stressful and without regular meditation i dont think i'd be able to do it.
So-in short i think, yes its possible!
2006-06-22 00:48:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There already is such a thing. It's when they do an operation and seperate the two hemispheres in leu of an illness. The two hemispheres don't know what each other are doing. They can also do two things at the same time. Write with both hands, for instance.
2006-06-21 23:04:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as thought.
That which you call "thought" is mental "speech". People who are language oriented think in "thoughts". The spatial people think in 3D, math, space.
The real mathematicians, artists, graphic visualizers don't have what you call "thoughts". But they do think, don't they?
Can you simultaneously talk two sentences? I think you'll say no.
So you can't have two "mental sentences" either.
I find it stupid that people are so concerned about "thoughts". They are mental speeches. And if a kid grows up without adult speakers around, he'll think, but never have "thoughts".
God,Do the brain surgeons focus on the thoughts too? If they do, they are missing the point.
2006-06-21 22:54:30 · answer #4 · answered by WaterStrider 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It already does....If you can walk & talk your doing two complex tasks at one time.
...as for the multiple selves...Multiple personalities is probably a bad thing.
2006-06-21 21:36:56 · answer #5 · answered by Todd's 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could it act on two decisions made at the same time? Wouldn't you need more than one memory bank? I think that you would become seriously screwed up.
Can't women already do that? they always claim that they can.
2006-06-21 23:17:54 · answer #6 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so. But it would not constitute multiple selves, because we are not our thoughts.
2006-06-22 02:43:37 · answer #7 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can.
It can.
And that is called split personality. It is also called multitasking.
2006-06-21 21:45:25 · answer #8 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you know anything about ADHD? The answer is yes.
2006-06-21 21:36:35 · answer #9 · answered by Gena C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋