BRENT SILBY

The Ghostly Illusion of Freewill
This is an introduction to the problem of freewill written for Cafe Philosophy magazine
on scribd

Astrology
Astrology is alive and well in our 21st Century society. But does it work? Can it work? In this article I offer a rational answer to these questions.
on scribd

The Grand Illusion
In the past, people only had access to a small snapshot of history. They concluded that the Earth was 7000 years old and that God created all life in its current form. But this is an illusion. The discovery of the geological age of Earth has given us access to the secrets behind the magic. The subsequent discovery of Evolution has revealed the mechanism behind the illusion of creative design.
on scribd

A Great Flood
Did the events depicted in the Noah's Ark story really happen? Let's look at the situation rationally.
on scribd

Starchild : Alien or Human?
A recent Television Interview programme included a segment on the so-called "Starchild" skull, an human skull which UFO supporters claim to be part alien. This essay demonstrates how unlikely this is.
on scribd

A Christmas Question: Should Children Believe in Santa Claus?
With reference to Santa Claus, this essay raises the ethical question of whether it is okay to implant false beliefs in children. The essay also draws a comparison between Santa Claus and religious mythology.
on scribd

Who Really Owns Music?
Essay argues that people should be free to make copies of music, so long as original composer and musicians continue to get credit for their work. This essay also suggests that a new revenue model is needed for music.
on scribd

Should Parents Smack Children?
A law was passed in 2007 making it illegal to smack children. People are now protesting, wanting a repeal of this law. Arguments on both sides of the debate are emotive and unconvincing. In this essay, I examine the issue in a methodical fashion.
on scribd

The Simulated Universe
This article explores the Simulated Universe argument with particular reference to Nick Bostrom's formulation. After providing an exposition of the argument, I address two problems and conclude that we reject the possibility that we exist in a simulation.
on scribd

The Immediate Solution to the Climate Crisis
Here I outline the cause and history of global warming. I then suggest that a quirk of human psychology means we will do very little in the present to help the future. I finish by offering some commonsense solutions to the problem, such as removing old forests to replace them with young high CO2 absorbing trees.
on scribd

Climate Change
A brief comment to follow up from my 2001 article about the state of the climate and what, if anything, we can do to save Earth.
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Is a DJ an Artist?
In this short article I argue that the DJ is an artist, and the DJ's product (a mixset) is a form of art
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Nanomachines: A big promise in a small package
Nanomachines are devices built from the atom up. In the future, nanomachines will be able to enter living cells to cure diseases. In this article I outline the benefits and risks of nanotechnology.
on scribd

Of course we went to the Moon: A defense of the Lunar Landings
This article is a reply to conspiracy theorists, who believe that the Lunar Landings were nothing more than elaborate hoaxes perpetrated by NASA and the U.S government. In this article I show that the evidence used by the conspiracy theorist is not convincing. I conclude that we are justified in believing that people went to the moon.
on scribd

Correcting the Creationist
Creationists claim that Intelligent Design is a scientific theory, and should therefore be taught in schools alongside other scientific theories. In this short article I show that the creationist is mistaken. Creation mythology repackaged as "Intelligent Design" is not science. It is religion.
on scribd

The Human Modification of Earth: Earth's survival is our survival
The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, I intend to ask the question: Is the human species worth preserving? Or, in other words, does it matter if something threatens our existence? After answering this question in the affirmative, I will move on to the next section of the paper in which I assess the damage that we are doing to the environment. I will show that our Carbon Dioxide emissions are contributing to Global Warming and, furthermore, that the effects are already being observed. By referring to scientific predictions, I will show that our planet faces some dramatic environmental changes. After exploring the implications of this data, I will conclude that Global Warming is a possible threat to all life on Earth.
on scribd

Memecosystems: Are Animal Minds Suitable Habitats for Memes?
Milk-bottle opening behavior in a species of bird known as the British tit has been put forward as an example of a meme in a non-human animal. In this e-paper I argue that milk-bottle opening behavior in the British tit is not memetic and is better explained by appealing to its innate behavioral repertoire.
on scribd

Evolution of Technology: Exposing the Myth of Creative Design
In this e-paper, I use the evolutionary algorithm to account for the existence of technology. In doing so, I call into question the idea of human creativity and claim that it is an illusion.
on scribd

What is a Meme?
Meme talk is becoming common, but many people do not really know what a meme is. This short article offers a tangible definition, and predicts where future research might take us.
on scribd

New Worlds, New Hope
A comment on the continuing discovery of new planets.

Revealing The Language of Thought
A 5 chapter e-book that examines the Language of Thought. This takes the form of an extended debate between 'mentalese' and natural language theorists.
on scribd

On The Conceivability of Zombies
An analysis of the logical possibilty of zombies
on scribd

On A Distinction Between Access and Phenomenal Consciousness?
An overview and discussion of the distinction put forward by Ned Block
on scribd

Dretske's Alternative to HOT Theories of Consciousness
The alternative to Higher Order Thought theories.
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Wittgenstein: Meaning and Representation
An attempt to understand some of Wittgenstein's ideas and relate him to my area of interest
on scribd

The Problem of Qualia
A look at the problem of qualia
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Dennett's Reduction of Intentionality
An exposition of Brentano and a look at Dennett's "Intentional Systems Theory"
on scribd

Non Philosophical Articles

The Release of Youth Conference Report
I was invited to speak at the 2008 release of a Youth Conference Report. Here is a transcript of my short talk
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The Theory of Mixset
Non-philosophical article in which I attempt to formalize the structure of a DJ mixset
iPaper format | html format

(c) BRENT SILBY 1998-2011