"The psychology of a complex mind must differ almost as much from that of a simple, mechanized mind as its psychology would from ours; because something that must underlie and perhaps be even greater than sex is involved"
- John Desmond Bernal
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In this quote, John Desmond Bernal looks into the intrinsic distinctions between complex and easy minds, recommending an extensive divergence not simply in cognition however in the underlying processes that drive habits and awareness. The declaration can be unpacked into numerous crucial themes and analyses.
To start with, Bernal highlights the huge gulf in mental intricacy in between what might be thought about a "complex mind" and a "easy, mechanized mind." By distinguishing these 2 types of minds, Bernal acknowledges that the cognitive architecture of entities like humans-- or potentially other innovative beings-- is much more elaborate than that of simpler entities, possibly similar to standard devices or organisms with simple nerve systems. The intricacy here might refer to higher-order processes such as feelings, self-awareness, imagination, and abstract reasoning, which are not generally discovered in easier systems.
Additionally, Bernal recommends that the psychology of an intricate mind differs practically as considerably from an easy mind as it does from human psychology. This suggests that while complicated minds may share some elements with human cognition, they might have unique psychological features or modes of experience that are currently beyond human understanding. This declaration invites speculation on the nature of intelligence, awareness, and experience in entities aside from humans, possibly consisting of sophisticated expert systems or extraterrestrial life types.
The latter part of the quote mean a factor "greater than sex" underlying these mental distinctions. Here, Bernal may be alluding to a fundamental drive or concept that governs habits and believed processes in complicated minds. Sex, frequently mentioned as a primary biological necessary due to its role in recreation, symbolizes a basic life force or motivation. Bernal's invocation of something "higher than sex" implies a higher-order concept that may drive these innovative beings-- perhaps a quest for understanding, imagination, self-actualization, or something totally unimagined.
In essence, Bernal's quote welcomes us to ponder the varied and possibly abstruse psychological landscapes of intricate intelligences, highlighting the interesting mystery of minds considerably different from our own or those of easier, mechanized entities.
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