tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35201438.post4616271520741613508..comments2023-06-26T01:40:41.928-07:00Comments on Weitermachen!: a relatively naive gripe about brain researchMatthew J. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730262274655726070noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35201438.post-25604462788390177382007-11-16T12:31:00.000-08:002007-11-16T12:31:00.000-08:00Hey Adam,First, I'd like to note that, as some typ...Hey Adam,<BR/>First, I'd like to note that, as some type of neuro-type, it's a shame that some studies (especially some fMRI studies) receive so much popular attention. Some of them are embarrassingly sloppy. So I am very sympathetic to what you and Mike are getting at on this score. Regarding the P(B|E) and P(E|B) problem, it seems to me that Mike is right that many think inferences between the two are legitimate because B=E, (or in more functionalist terms, because E is the computational pattern B instantiates). <BR/><BR/>But the answer, I think, to your question, "Are there important and reasonable assumptions that I don't know about?" is that neuroimaging is just one source of evidence. There are also intervention studies -- such as lesion studies and micro-stimulation studies. In these kinds of studies, information about the particular experiential states of subjects is obtained given some particular brain manipulation. In inverention studies we get information about P(E|B). I am not defending the particular study you cited, but I believe there is a reasonable amount of converging evidence linking the amygdala with fear and disgust processing. If you are interested, I can provide some relevant citations.Theronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09041216500193032963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35201438.post-5332155787992796162007-11-14T19:27:00.000-08:002007-11-14T19:27:00.000-08:00Hmm. Surprised no neuro-types have replied to thi...Hmm. Surprised no neuro-types have replied to this. Maybe this will stoke the fire a bit.<BR/><BR/>I think that many scientists either make exactly that mistake or don't care if their silence on the matter implies it, and that most science journalists are actually scientism-ists who either don't notice it or care to.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps this is too Science Studies for people, though. How about this: if you think that B=E then P(B|E) and P(E|B) are the same and your question doesn't come up. I think lots of neuro-types think that B=E or at least that B is negligibly close to E.<BR/><BR/>Whatever the case about scientists and philosophers, my biggest worry is with science journalism. The flood of very interesting research about the relationship between concrete behavior and emotions, and fMRI scans has potentially very significant consequences for social and political institutions. Don't believe me? Google "neurolaw." There's a lot of loosy-goosey speculation about what fMRI's show presently morphing into "scientific knowledge" out there. People and politicians are more likely to make these kinds of mistakes without realizing it, and they can become ensconced into legal practice and legislation.Michael Tiborishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08226883872668368638noreply@blogger.com