Monday, September 20, 2010

The Bogeymen

The bogeymen are somewhat odd, yet still interesting. They are agents who compete against us in an effort to eventually control our bodies. Their thoughts are separate from ours. Reactions triggered by anxiety are “like finding yourself in the clutches of…” (Dennett 406). The bogeymen I will examine include the Invisible Jailer, The Nefarious Neurosurgeon, and the Malevolent Mindreader.

The Invisible Jailer may imprison someone without their knowledge of having been imprisoned. Everyone understands the dreadfulness of prisons. But perhaps a person who believes they are free simply hasn’t realized they are imprisoned. Visual illusions could make a small jail cell seem much larger to the unknowing prisoner. Bars on windows may be disguised and fake doors may be placed on the wall. The true exits may also be removed or concealed. Someone may also argue that if the edge of an enclosure is beyond the farthest point they wish to travel to, then they are not really imprisoned. The majority of people could argue that they are imprisoned on Earth. However without a jailer, there is no jail. If an undesirable place is not overseen by a particular person, the people residing in that place are not imprisoned (Dennett 407).

The Nefarious Neurosurgeon is able to “strap you down and insert electrodes in your brain, and then control your every thought and deed by pushing buttons on the ‘master’ console” (Dennett 407). The person wouldn’t be able to realize that every part of them, both physical and mental, were no longer under their own control. Such an existence could be compared to having a brain complication such as a tumor. At first glance they may appear to be the same, but there is at least one major difference. The complication may cause unintentional occurrences, but the occurrences would be random. Rather than causing random complication, the Neurosurgeon controls the brain, forcing it to do what he wants. “Variations on the Nefarious Neurosurgeon are the Hideous Hypnotist and the Peremptory Puppeteer” (Dennett 407).

The Malevolent Mindreader is simply an unbeatable opponent. As the name suggests, the Malevolent Mindreader has no real control over a person. Instead, the Mindreader is able to prepare for a person’s move before it occurs by reading their mind. “Playing ‘rock, paper, or scissors’ against this fellow is hopeless…[because] he can see in advance which move you intend to make and always counters successfully” (Dennett 407). However if a prediction is posed as a possibility rather than a final decision, one may be able to beat the Mindreader (Solomon 407, 408). In my opinion, if someone wishes to defeat the Malevolent Mindreader in a game, that person should select a game of pure chance. For example, if a coin is flipped, both the player and the Mindreader have an equal chance of winning. The power of the Mindreader is negated, leaving it on equal ground with the player. The Malevolent Mindreader is a difficult opponent, but it can be beaten.

Works Cited

Dennett, Daniel. “Elbow Room.” Introducing Philosophy. Robert C. Solomon. New York:
Oxford UP, 2008.
Solomon, Robert C. Introducing Philosophy. New York: Oxford UP, 2008.

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