Self✦You are unique, you will never exists again, you can not be duplicated- not even by GOD!

Your genetic make up is special. In my case my parents have had 7 children; same two people 7 radical individuals. My experiences in my life are not shared, my opinions, character, and capabilities are all distinct to me and no one else.

So what is self? Most critical factor is circumstance. One thing that empowers both the Plan of Salvation and Evolution is circumstance, it is shaping who we are physicaly, and mentally. God has always placed laws that shapes us/ your environment selects who survives. A very close subject that bleeds all over this is consciences. That is a powerful subject of its own so I would rather subcategorize this post and keep it in the realm of "what does it mean to taste self." Your "self" means not as much to any other man as it does to you. What does it feel like to be one's self, how do you know if you know your self? What attributes are invisible to the self? We all have spectacles that we see life through- so can one be trusted to judge them self; yet the responsibility of yourself is solie yours alone?

How you define yourself will translate how you conduct the way you act. Your judgment, moral choice is a product of "self." (more to come)


Steve's Response:


I refrain from the spiritual and comment on that which can be measured scientifically.I agree with much of what you have said regarding the end result of existence you call "self," though most of the organically occurring molecules that make up the physical components of the body can be duplicated and we shall see startling discoveries in the near future. Of course, your statement goes beyond the physical and defines self as a combination of physical, spiritual, and the ever present circumstance of environment. Your exactly right that I myself have my opinions, character, and capabilities unlike all others and their shall never be someone else like me. Currently Their is no formula to predict how someone shall behave and what choices they will make, though computer technology will come close in the next 30 years. The point is, when all the factors are thoroughly identified and understood, it will be possible to profile individuals and make accurate predictions about how their distinct self may behave in a certain situation. None the less, this doesn't negate the difference between people. Its important to understand the brain in the equation. The brain is the key to understanding the "self."As soon as we now what the other 90% of the brain does, we will learn so much more about the "self."

Brandon:
You didn't answer my questions! they are in purple

Steve

I have Question - What is Intelligence?

Intelligence is observed as a complex system of reactions within a carbon based life form. When observing a cell and studying the chemical reactions that occur, at what point doesn't something become intelligent? DNA replicates itself based on charges and reactions but is it aware of what it is doing? Garth Lane, my father, states that an organism must be self aware to be considered intelligent. So at what point does something became self aware? The human brain is composed of trillions of cells working together allowing for the mind to think. Baking soda reacts with Vinegar but its this an intelligent reaction? Well, most would say no except, chemical reactions similar to this are happening on a smaller scale all the time within the cell. The quantity of reactions increases the complexity and at some point the being becomes intelligent. Their is also the concept of religious intelligence based on spiritual components. I didn't discuss this because it cant be measured scientifically.

Brandon response:

We'll Steve you and I can make quite a scene with this subject, the place I draw insight is from a doctrinal approach. I enjoy comparing what can be measured with science along side of Religion.

[Intelligence] is the light of truth which gives life and light to all things in the universe. (LDS)

Light is refereed to as "Divine energy", energy is interesting word selection. Some kind of force inside everything giving it life and its own divine energy. Not sure how truth fits into it besides that truth is everlasting and so is intelligence. ❡ DNA is a fascinating crucial function in life. Science has done a good job of breaking down these units of life so well once we get to the very bottom all we see is simple reactions. Action--Reaction. Were is the intelligence in this? It would be great to ask a tRNA how aware are you? It is sooooooo amazing as I sit here and type this inside each cell of my body this process is happening making me who I am. Without this body I could not experience the events that make up the other half, third, fourth (what ever) that makes me ME. If that DNA decided to (not really decide, or does it?) keep reproducing Telomeres dang I now have cancer or if chromosomal aberrations happen I am screwed, all because of action then my body reacts. Ok so what is intelligence, the ability to react- too simple. The ability to choose between reactions?

sounds like AGENCE

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, [...] righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.(2 Nephi 2:11)
But there is a law given, and a apunishment affixed...and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. (Alma 42:22)

Sounds a lot like action reaction Just on a bigger scale. You Steve once told me all we are doing is reacting- TRUE. Human nature, human nurture, our own personal evolution is all based on action reaction. So is the gospel. Your life experience will dictate how you react to a situation. Super complicated reactions (motivations) but none the less reactions.

After all this jib Jab i realize I still don't know if we will ever find the answer.

Please comment tell us what you think

Steve

The earnings of greed is the climax of counterfeit joy. The problem is that where someone is elevated, another may be exploited. None the less, the possession of that which is material or emotional brings pleasure. True joy is to enlarge the pie and bring happiness to all who know you.

Brandon

At the root of greed is pride. At what point is someone seeking joy actually seeking greed? The difference is pride..

pride |prīd|
noun
1 a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired :

True but I like the more specific church definition

Psalms 10:2
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
President Ezra Taft Benson
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.”

Enmity can be so very slight, just taking one's self and placing themselves over another in hurtful way: emotionally, physically, financially, or even spiritually.

Steve's Response:

Of course pride is a religious taboo but the world has excepted such behavior. Fortunately, the world also uses the word incorrectly for the most part thus should bring a small measure of comfort. For Example, their is no problem with the supposed "pride" felt towards a child or the accomplishments of our own. The problem is the elevation of ones self status above that of another. For example, "my child is better than yours" or "I'm greater than you are." These are not humble statements and thus prideful. My experience with real joy often comes from other people with the exchange of love and concern whereas my pride comes from the expense of others feelings. This is counterfeit Joy and I strive to avoid it.

cooleo