We live in an epoch in which a violent clash exists. Humans typically believe that they are radically different from their surroundings. Yet, human knowledge has advanced to the point that has enabled the realisation that humans have evolved from their surroundings through a very gradual process of evolution; a process which has been ongoing since the Big Bang. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the nature of this violent clash. There are three interrelated aspects to this exploration. Firstly, I will be considering why contemporary humans typically consider themselves to be radically different from their surroundings; this entails a consideration of how the human perceptual apparatus works and of how conceptions of their surroundings are formed within humans. Secondly, I will be considering the likelihood that humans are actually very similar to their surroundings; this entails an exploration of various phenomena such as mind, consciousness, naturalness, awareness, the senses, perception and 'what-it-is-likeness'. Thirdly, I will be considering whether the human species has a special place in the evolutionary process.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:558758 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Cummins, Neil Paul |
| Publisher | University of Reading |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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