AP Lang Fall Final

Why was Dennett chosen for the secret mission?

He was approached by the Pentagon due to his expertise in philosophy, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, as well as his "Faustian curiosity."

What was the Supersonic Tunneling Underground Device (STUD)?

A machine designed to tunnel through the Earth’s core to deliver an atomic warhead. It was stuck a mile under Tulsa, Oklahoma, and emitting dangerous radiation.

What was unique about the radiation from the STUD?

The radiation only affected brain tissue, leaving other parts of the body unharmed. Shielding the brain from this radiation was impossible.

What solution did scientists propose for Dennett to retrieve the STUD?

His brain would be surgically removed, placed in a life-support vat in Houston, and connected to his body through radio transmitters.

How was Dennett reassured that the brain removal would work?

Scientists explained it as “stretching nerves” via radio links, preserving all functionality without impairing his mind.

What did Dennett see after the brain-removal surgery?

He saw Yorick, his brain, floating in a bubbling vat of ginger ale-like fluid, covered in circuit chips and electrodes.

What experiment did Dennett try immediately after surgery?

He flipped the transmitter switch controlling Yorick off, causing his body (Hamlet) to slump and nearly faint.

How did Dennett initially try to locate his sense of self?

He asked himself:

• “Am I in the vat, looking out through the body?”

• “Am I in the body, looking at the brain?”

• He could not convincingly think himself into the vat.

How did Dennett name his components after surgery?

• Brain: Yorick

• Body: Hamlet

• Himself: Dennett

What were Dennett’s three philosophical possibilities about his location?

1. Dennett is where Hamlet (the body) is.

2. Dennett is where Yorick (the brain) is.

3. Dennett is wherever he thinks he is (point of view determines location).

What problem did Dennett face while testing the prosthetic nervous system?

The delay caused by the speed of light led to coordination issues, making precise movements, like tracking moving objects, difficult when Yorick and Hamlet were far apart.

What happened during Dennett’s Tulsa mission?

Radio connections to Yorick failed, leaving him disembodied in Houston while Hamlet became a lifeless body in the tunnel.

How did Dennett describe being “disembodied” after the connection failed?

He experienced himself entirely in Houston with Yorick, unable to feel or control his body in Tulsa.

What realization did Dennett have about his consciousness during disembodiment?

He considered it a demonstration of the "immateriality of the soul," as his consciousness transferred to Houston at the speed of light without any physical movement.

How was Dennett re-embodied after the Tulsa failure?

A new body, named Fortinbras, was created for him. His brain, Yorick, remained in Houston.

What was Hubert, and how did it function?

Hubert was a computer replica of Yorick, capable of processing identical inputs and controlling Dennett’s body interchangeably with Yorick.

How did Dennett test switching between Yorick and Hubert?

He flipped a master switch to alternate control of Fortinbras between Yorick and Hubert, noticing no differences in experience or behavior.

What dilemma arose with Hubert and Yorick’s simultaneous existence?

If each controlled a separate body, both would claim to be Dennett. This raised questions about identity, rivalry, and continuity of self.

What safeguards did Dennett put in place to prevent misuse of the setup?

He kept the only master switch for switching control and ensured the lab connections were secure.

What twist occurred at the end of Dennett’s story?

After flipping the switch, Dennett’s “other self” (Hubert or Yorick) spoke, revealing it had been trapped for two weeks, unable to control the body. This self suggested finding a second body to resolve the dilemma.

What is the ID according to Freud?

The primitive, instinctual part of the mind that seeks pleasure and avoids pain.

What is the Ego according to Freud?

The rational, conscious part of the mind that mediates between the id, superego, and reality.

What is the Superego according to Freud?

The moral conscience that internalizes societal rules and ideals.

What in Consciousness in Freud’s model?

Thoughts and feelings we are aware of.

What is Preconsciousness in Freud’s model?

Memories and information that can be accessed with effort.

What is Unconsciousness in Freud’s model?

Desires, fears, and memories we are unaware of but influence behavior.

What is the “true purpose” of the id?

To match and fulfill an individual’s desires, and operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.

What are the two basic instincts Freud identifies?

Eros (Life instinct): Drives related to love, reproduction, and survival. Thanatos (Destructive instinct): Subconscious drive for death, aggression, and destruction.

How do the life and death instincts interact?

Eros sustains life and builds connections, while Thanatos leads to destruction and aggression, with both existing in tension to influence behavior.

Why does Freud believe the superego leads to self-destructiveness?

Enforces unrealistic moral ideals, causing excessive guilt and self-criticism that erode self-esteem and trigger self-sabotage or masochism.

How does Freud’s theory depict a split self?

Divided into the id (instincts), ego (rationality), and superego (morality), which often conflict and create internal tension.

Do modern psychologists agree with Freud’s split self model?

View the self as more integrated and complex, finding Freud’s model simplistic and outdated, though it effectively highlights inner conflicts.

What is the role of the ego in Freud’s model?

Operates on the reality principle by mediating between the id, superego, and reality to ensure socially acceptable behavior.

What drives Eros in Freud’s theory?

Driven by love, reproduction, and survival instincts, serving as a life-sustaining force.

What drives the destructive instinct (Thanatos)?

Driven by a subconscious desire for death and destruction, manifesting in aggression, risk-taking, and self-sabotaging behaviors.

How does Freud’s superego develop?

Develops through the internalization of societal rules and parental expectations during childhood, shaping morality.

How does the superego interact with the id?

Opposes the id’s instinctual desires, creating guilt and tension when these desires conflict with moral ideals.

What does Freud mean by “self-preservation and self-satisfaction”?

Humans are motivated by the ego balancing survival needs (self-preservation) and the id’s desires for pleasure (self-satisfaction).

Does everyone possess Eros and Thanatos instincts?

All humans possess these instincts, though their expression varies based on individual personality and environmental factors.

Why might Freud’s theory of the divided self still resonate today?

Because people often experience conflicts between desires (id), logic (ego), and moral values (superego), even if modern psychology sees the self as more unified.

What is Paul Bloom’s main argument in "First Person Plural"?

Each person consists of multiple competing selves with conflicting goals, not one unified self.

Why is the unified self an “illusion”?

It simplifies decision-making and social interaction, but the mind is made up of competing drives.

What are the evolutionary benefits of the unified self?

It prevents confusion, helps with long-term planning, social behavior, and survival.

What four factors shape Bloom’s “multiple selves” theory?

Time changes desires; memory reshapes the past; situations bring out different selves; imagination creates conflicts and future selves.

What example shows clashing selves?

Admiral Byrd used fewer blankets to toughen up for cold, but his “cold self” always regretted the decision.

How does memory prove multiple selves?

Memory depends on the current state; different selves recall events differently.

What is self-binding?

It’s when one self limits future choices to stop impulsive actions from another self.

What are examples of self-binding?

Ulysses tying himself to the mast, dieters buying small portions, or setting clocks ahead.

How does self-binding relate to children?

In the marshmallow test, kids who waited used self-binding strategies, like looking away from the treat.

What is libertarian paternalism?

It preserves freedom but nudges people toward better choices, like automatic retirement plans.

Why isn’t the long-term self always right?

Over-prioritizing future goals can stifle joy, spontaneity, and meaningful present experiences.

How does imagination create multiple selves?

It lets us visualize future selves, explore identities, and create fictional versions for fun or problem-solving.

What does Bloom say about dissociative identity disorder (DID)?

It’s an extreme version of normal multiplicity, where selves have distinct memories and behaviors.

How do social contexts affect selves?

Different situations activate specific selves, like acting differently with friends versus authority figures.

What examples of clashing selves does Bloom give?

A disciplined self clashes with one craving instant gratification, or a professional self conflicts with a creative self.

How do long-term and short-term selves differ?

The long-term self plans and reflects, while the short-term self seeks immediate desires.

Why shouldn’t the short-term self always be bound?

Indulging the short-term self fosters joy, creativity, and spontaneity, balancing life.

What is Bloom’s critique of happiness?

Happiness is a complex balance of competing selves, not a unified state.

What self-binding policies does Bloom mention?

Policies like waiting periods for divorces or gun purchases and automatic organ donation enrollment.

Libertarian Paternalism

An approach that aims to influence choices in a way that will make choosers better off, while still allowing them the freedom to choose.

What is Bloom’s conclusion on balancing selves?

The community of selves shouldn’t be a democracy or dictatorship but needs balance.

What is the bundle theory of the self?

Argues that the self is not a fixed entity but a collection of constantly changing perceptions.

What does Hume mean by “nothing but a bundle or collection of different perceptions”?

The self is made up of fleeting, rapidly changing perceptions and experiences with no permanent, core self.

How does Hume use the example of sleep to challenge the idea of a lasting self?

During dreamless sleep, perceptions stop, but upon waking, we assume continuity, showing that the self is a collection of perceptions rather than a fixed identity.

How does the oak tree illustrate Hume’s view of the self?

Undergoes constant change, like shedding leaves or growing, but we still call it the same tree, just as we impose continuity on a changing collection of perceptions.

How does the rebuilt church illustrate Hume’s concept of the self?

Even if a church is destroyed and rebuilt with new materials, we still call it the same church, showing that identity is imposed despite significant changes, much like how we view the self.

Does Hume believe there is a core or permanent self?

No, Hume argues there is no core or permanent self; instead, the self is simply the sum of perceptions that are constantly in flux.

What role does memory play in Hume’s theory of the self?

Creates the illusion of a core self by connecting past perceptions and calling them “ours,” even though these perceptions are separate and fleeting.

How does Hume address continuity of experience in relation to the self?

Hume suggests that the sense of continuity is an illusion created by the mind imposing order on fleeting perceptions.

Why do people impose identity on things that change, according to Hume?

People impose identity for simplicity and coherence, as seen in examples like the oak tree and the rebuilt church.

Do you think Hume’s examples prove there is no lasting self?

Some argue for a stable psychological framework (memory, personality, self-awareness) that provides continuity.

How does psychological consistency challenge Hume’s theory?

Organizes perceptions, providing a sense of continuity that suggests a core self, even if perceptions change.

What is the Ego Theory of the self?

Self is a stable, enduring entity (a mind, soul, or ego) that organizes and experiences perceptions.

How does the Bundle Theory challenge the Ego Theory?

Denies the existence of a lasting self or core "I," suggesting that identity is an illusion created by the continuity of experiences and memory.

What do Buddhist texts contribute to the Bundle Theory?

Assert that the self is an illusion, just a bundle of processes and elements, aligning with the Bundle Theory’s rejection of a permanent self.

How does Parfit use the example of the disbanded club?

A club can dissolve and later reform with the same name and rules, showing that identity is imposed and fluid, much like the self.

What does the hypothetical teletransportation case illustrate?

If a perfect replica of you is created elsewhere after your destruction, it is psychologically continuous but not "you," challenging the idea of a single, enduring self.

How does Parfit argue against the Ego Theory using teletransportation?

He suggests that the question of whether the replica is "you" is an empty one, as identity is not tied to a fixed entity but to continuity of experience.

How do split-brain cases support the Bundle Theory?

Split-brain patients show two separate streams of consciousness, suggesting that the self is divisible and not a singular, unified entity.

What is the Ego Theory’s explanation for split-brain cases, and why does Parfit reject it?

Says two distinct subjects of experience in split-brain cases, but Parfit rejects this as implausible, favoring the Bundle Theory’s explanation of divided awareness.

What analogy does Parfit use to explain split-brain consciousness?

Split-brain cases involve two states of awareness, like having two independent memories, rather than two separately existing egos or selves.

What is Parfit’s view on personal identity in the brain-division transplant scenario?

If one brain is split and transplanted into two bodies, neither resulting person is "you"; identity ceases to exist in the original sense but maintains continuity.

Why does Parfit believe identity is not what matters?

He argues that psychological continuity and connectedness matter more than the existence of a fixed personal identity.

How does Parfit’s Bundle Theory impact beliefs about survival?

On the Bundle Theory, survival is about maintaining psychological continuity, making teletransportation no worse than ordinary survival.

How does Parfit redefine death and survival in light of the Bundle Theory?

Death and survival lose their traditional significance, as identity is not tied to a permanent self but to the continuation of mental states and experiences.

How do split-brain cases challenge our assumptions about the self?

Reveal that consciousness can be divided, suggesting that the self is not a singular entity but a collection of experiences, undermining the Ego Theory.

What is the network self?

A dynamic collection of traits, relationships, and experiences, interconnected like a network and evolving over time.

How does the network self challenge traditional views of the self?

Rejects the idea of a fixed essence, incorporating social, cultural, psychological, and biological factors to emphasize fluidity and complexity.

What does Wallace mean when she says “the network self is also a process”?

The self is dynamic, shaped by changing social roles, relationships, and experiences, rather than being fixed or static.

How is the network self similar to the bundle theory?

Both see the self as fluid and composed of multiple elements, rejecting the idea of a unified, enduring core.

How is the network self different from the bundle theory?

The bundle theory focuses on internal experiences and sensations, while the network self emphasizes external factors like social and digital networks.

What does Wallace mean by “the self is its history”?

A person’s identity is shaped by their past experiences, actions, and relationships, even as the self changes over time.

How does Wallace use Alzheimer’s disease to support the idea that “the self is its history”?

Even with memory loss, people with Alzheimer’s retain aspects of their identity through embodied habits and social roles, like being a parent or citizen.

How does Wallace contrast the network self with the psychological continuity view?

Psychological continuity ties identity to memory and consciousness, while Wallace argues the self persists through embodied history and social patterns, even without full memory.

What role do social identities play in the network self?

Race, gender, or professional roles, are fundamental to the self, influencing how individuals see themselves and interact with others.

What are clusters in the network self?

Groups of related traits within the network self, like family roles, social roles, or biological traits, which overlap and intersect.

How does Wallace explain the fluidity of the self over time?

The self evolves as traits and relationships change, with some becoming more relevant and others fading, but all remain part of the self’s cumulative history.

How does Wallace address transformations like gender identity or immigration?

Whether chosen or imposed, they reshape the network self but do not erase its past; they reflect the cumulative, evolving nature of identity.

How can thinking of the self as a network combat stereotyping and discrimination?

Highlights complexity and fluidity, showing that no single trait defines a person, encouraging understanding and reducing reductive labeling.

How does the network self enable self-determination?

The multiplicity of traits and identities provides resources for the self to choose directions, set priorities, and make autonomous decisions.