Quiz2 - Prometheum Institute

Discussion Module 2

These questions are not quizzes. I want them to be stimulants to make you think about what we have discussed in this module. I have identified what I consider my best opinion, but you can disagree and show your reasons in the comments box. Here you may also state why you agree. You can look at my opinions in all options, but remember it is not an evaluation of you, so it is not necessary to have all right answers. I am interested also in your feedback, your opinion. Thank you.

1. What makes the human being unique?

a. The color of skin

b. Genetic background and DNA

c. Family and ethnic background

d. The mind a real existent that defines identity as the person

Explanation.
Of course we know this to be not true, but we also can remember that it once was thought to be true. Do we secretly believe it without revealing? I hope not. Why? because we know that the essence of the human being is much deeper than that.

Explanation.
Do genes confer intelligence? This may seem farfetched today, but it was once thought to be the source of human superiority. It was once thought that the child of a monarch is automatically blessed with the capability to lead... even without proper training.

Explanation. This too is Incorrect. Yet, it is so common to expect a child to show intelligence because they were born to the right family. It is so common to expect someone from the right family to automatically be able to show the standards espoused by that family. Often, without actually teaching the child how to grow in intelligence and experience, he/she can be condemned for not being able to behave as he should. Is this not a precursor to uncertainty of self image and so mental instability?

Explanation.

Yes. Yes. What makes the human being different from any other species is the fact that we think. The mind, soul, or whatever name we give it, that is the essence of the person. We can't see it, but it is how we defing ourselves, yes? I do not define myself as an upright animal who exists at the peak of the food chain. I describe my personality, experience, intelligence. I describe the mind as me.

1. Comment. Please explain or justify the reasons for your choice

2. What defines the mind?

a. The size of the brain

b. The amygdala and the neuronal pathways

c. It is an invisible existent that cannot be measured, located, or seen

d. It is a fictitious energy that functions only while the body is alive

Explanation.
You can be forgiven if you choose this. Speculative sciences have associated our intelligence with the size of the brain without actually being able to measure or even locate it. They base it is the fact that our brain is large compared to our body size. Yet, the brain is responsible for the numerous fine motor movements, precise observations etc. We cannot simply relegate an invisible quality with a systtem just because it has room to accommodate it.

Explanation.
The amygdala and neuronal pathways are the primal brain. They are just that - pathways. Yes the limbic system initiates sophisticated responses, but they do in all mammalian species. No one \has ever found cognitive function initiated here.

Explanation.
Is it really fictitious? Do we exist as a chemical function? Then, an opinion is not yours. You are not responsible because it comes from a chemical action. Can that really be so? Then an action is an imposition, not a decision.

Explanation.
We do not know this. We do not know how it functions. So we cannot say that its function is physically located where we cannot measure it. We also cannot state that it will cease function if the body is dead or even in a coma. Maybe it is fictitious. Maybe it is not. We just do not know. So we cannot condemn nor can we assert, at least at this stage.

2. Comment. Please explain or justify the reasons for your choice

3. Is it important to see each person as a unique mind?

a. No, it is not important. A human being is just that. The person must conform or learn to conform.

b. Yes, but only as a secondary function to the healthy body

c. No. The existence of mind or soul as a substance is unrealistic

d. Yes, it is the essence of the person. A person is not a robot to be trained but a mind to be awakened

Explanation
This says that we are robots. Is that true? Even a slave only conforms from fear of punishment. He/she still thinks as a unique mind. Thinking and behaviour are two separate things, aren't they?

Explanation
This leaves the mind as a chemical function. Do you really think that your thoughts, your process opf reason, are reactive responses from a healthy body? Or even a healthy brain ? Then what we think is not a responsibility. It becomes an imposition. Do you still think this way? Will your response be different if your body is feeling better? feeling worse?

Explanation
Of course it is unrealistic to describe the mind as a substance. It it were a substance, it would be measurable or, at least, identifiable. We have the means to measure down to the quantum of particles. But we cannot measure the mind. So it is unrealistic to consider it a substance. It, however, is quite realistic to consider that a non-substance can exist. It will just not be composed of quantum energy. Is there a possible energy that is not quantum? Of course, but since we can only identify quantum energy, we won't be able to determine its parameters.

Explanation
Each person thinks as a unique entity. It is how we see ourselves, isn't it. A person never describes himself as an upright animal on two legs. We al;ways describe our unique personality., something that cannot be seen. We have to reveal it. That is the essence of who we are.

3. Comment. Please explain or justify the reasons for your choice

4. From your readings, do you understand the following statements to be true? You may choose yes, no, or, if you are not convinced, you may answer ‘presumptive’.

Please comment on your answer. Different people will have different reasons for even the same answer. I will respond to each of your comments. remember, it is not as test but rather a discussion.

a. We never improve on the body; we just use it.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

b. We always improve the mind even when we set out to improve the body.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

c. No one checks the mirror daily to discover who or what they are that day. Yet, if that is defaced, they will only wonder what happened to the body. They know they still are.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

d. We know that the mind is what drives the person because anyone’s description of themselves is always focused on personality and intelligence or ambition, not size or shape of the body. Ambition and intelligence are properties of the mind.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or Explanation

e. The mind is a creative force, a force of reason. It creates understanding through reason. Understanding is a product. Therefore, if understanding is insufficient, only the product is insufficient, not the producer.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or Explanation

f. We must learn, therefore, to measure ourselves by how we use the mind to create understanding, not by how much of the product we have or how we display it.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or Explanation

g. We cannot see or measure the mind because we can only see or measure matter, objects that are composed and affected by quantum energy.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or Explanation

h. The mind can exist without being composed of quantum energy because quantum energy cannot be the only type of energy that exists. Thus, the mind is different. It cannot be seen. It has no colour or size or location.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or Explanation

i. The mind, therefore, cannot be destroyed. It can only be build, not by getting bigger, but by understanding more.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

j. The more we understand, the more fulfilled we can be and the less inclined will we be to feel threatened by things we can actually use to build us. We can embrace them.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

k. Life can become, not a pressure that threatens survival, but food for the erudition of the mind, food for thought, that is. This food can make us strong, courageous, purposeful, and fulfilled.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

l. When we do not see life’s challenges as undesirable or destructive events, we won’t want to avoid them and we won’t want things that take us away from them and cheat us from growing.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

m. We can learn that nothing is right or wrong. They come only to teach us. They are invitations to grow, be the best we can be.

Agree

Disagree

Presumptive

Comment or explanation

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Discussion Module 2

4. From your readings, do you understand the following statements to be true? You may choose yes, no, or, if you are not convinced, you may answer ‘presumptive’.

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