[MD] Science and Values

[Platt Holden]

> [Platt had said]
> The brain reaches a certain level of complexity and "oops," you get
> consciousness. 
> 
> [Arlo asked]
> And how do you see the MOQ disputing this? Did "consciousness" exist
> before the
> brain reached a certain level of complexity? If so, where? Where was
> "consciousness" ten million years ago?
> 
> [Platt]
> At last, very intelligent questions. Only you are a little late coming to
> the
> party. I asked the same questions years ago -- and got Pirsig's answer
> in
> Lila's Child:
> 
> [Arlo]
> The quotations you provide answer neither of these questions. How does the
> MOQ
> dispute Hofstadter's (here greatly simplified) theory that consciousness
> emerges as neural complexity increased? And, how does it answer this
> question,
> Did "consciousness" exist before the brain reached a certain level of
> complexity? If so, where? 
> 
> (If you are not going to actually answer these questions, don't bother
> replying.)

Since you omitted my answers to your questions this exchange stops here. 
But in view of your comment about academe's pursuit of excellence you might 
want to read:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=402674&encCode=596
3447391BC23737875JTBS737226611

The author compares teaching at Harvard to visiting Disneyworld. In the 
wacky vernacular of the brainless left, he "speaks truth to power."