Patricia Churchland
A prominent neurophilosopher who advocates for a scientific, brain-based understanding of the mind and consciousness.
Quotes by Patricia Churchland
The brain is not a computer. It's a biological organ, and it's much more complicated than any computer we've ever built.
To understand the mind, we must understand the brain.
Consciousness is a property of the brain, not a magical substance.
The mind-body problem is not a philosophical problem; it's a scientific problem.
Neuroscience is not just about understanding the brain; it's about understanding ourselves.
Eliminative materialism is not a denial of mental states, but a re-description of them in neurobiological terms.
The future of philosophy lies in its integration with science, especially neuroscience.
We are our brains.
The brain is a causal machine, and our choices are determined by its state.
Free will is an illusion, but it's a useful illusion.
Morality is rooted in the brain, in our social instincts and our capacity for empathy.
Our moral intuitions are not divinely inspired; they are products of evolution.
The Golden Rule is not a supernatural commandment; it's a practical strategy for social living.
Empathy is the bedrock of morality.
We are wired for cooperation, not just competition.
Moral progress is possible, and it comes from understanding the brain.
Religion is a cultural phenomenon, not a scientific explanation for morality.
The brain is a messy, complex, and beautiful organ.
The self is not a ghost in the machine; it's the machine itself.
Our sense of self is a construction of the brain, constantly updated and refined.