Essays

β€œTo know, is to know that you know nothing.
That is the meaning of true knowledge.”

Socrates

Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

One Hundred Years of Peace

In examining nearly a century of history, this essay addresses how peace can unwittingly foster conditions ripe for the return of regressive ideologies.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Exploring the Role of Motor Cortex Networks in Extended Cognition

This essay discusses the insights from motor cortex research and its implications for extended cognition. It presents an examination of how our understanding of the brain's interaction with external tools can expand the boundaries of cognitive science, offering new perspectives on the integration of technology and human cognition.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Understanding Transformers: A Journey Through Semantic Space

Imagine each piece of text as a unique point in a vast, multi-dimensional space. As a transformer model generates text, it can be visualized as taking a step through this semantic space. By tracing this path, we gain insights into how the model navigates the intricacies of language, adapting its course to the evolving context.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

The Immortality Conundrum

Imagine a world where aging is but a relic of the past, a condition cured and forgotten, granting humanity the gift of biological immortality.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

The Fruit of Knowledge

This essay posits that the so-called act of disobedienceβ€”the eating of the forbidden fruitβ€”is not an event to be lamented but celebrated as a necessary step in the evolutionary ladder of human growth. It marks the beginning of knowledge, experience, and, most importantly, the capacity for making moral choices.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Beyond the Chinese Room

This essay aims to invalidate the Chinese Room's skepticism towards AI's potential for understanding and to argue for the feasibility of developing AI systems that more closely mirror the interconnected and specialized networks found in the human brain.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Universal Healthcare: A Moral Imperative Beyond Economic Constraints

This perspective challenges the traditional paradigms through which healthcare policy is often viewed, urging a shift from viewing healthcare as a service or commodity, influenced by market dynamics and financial considerations, to regarding it as a right that should be universally accessible to all individuals, irrespective of their socioeconomic standing.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

From Scramblers to Systems: Reimagining Cognition through Blindsight and ChatGPT

In the intricate dance between fiction and reality, few narratives bridge the gap as poignantly as Peter Watts' "Blindsight." A novel that delves into the deep recesses of consciousness and intelligence, it intertwines seamlessly with our modern technological marvels, embodied by AI entities like ChatGPT. Here, we embark on a philosophical odyssey, exploring the myriad cognitive landscapes painted by both the book and the burgeoning realm of artificial intelligence.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Soldiering On: Youth, Decision-Makers, and the Dilemmas of War

Dive deep into the profound ethical paradoxes of warfare, exploring the juxtaposition between young soldiers and the seasoned decision-makers. This essay uncovers the tragic realities that lie beneath declarations of war and the poignant truths about those who bear its brunt.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

A Lesser Evil: Tywin's Approach to Warfare in Ethical Spotlight

Ever pondered the ethics of warfare through the lens of Tywin's controversial tactics? Dive into a comprehensive exploration of his strategy, weighing the morality of targeted action against large-scale conflict. From the battlefield to the dinner table, we delve deep into the heart of ethical dilemmas.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Ethical Considerations of Animal Use

The relationship between humans and animals has always been a complex one. Drawing parallels between the treatment of animals and historical instances of human slavery can be problematic. It's crucial to understand that while there might be some similarities in the exploitation of both humans and animals, the contexts are very different.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

The Interplay of Fact, Value, and Perception in Human Understanding

In every human endeavor, there exists a delicate interplay between objective facts and subjective values. The juxtaposition of the terms 'objective' and 'evaluation' reflects an inherent tension as they seem to encapsulate two distinct and often opposing ideas.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

Vitalism, Transhumanism and Posthumanism: A Speculative Odyssey in Science Fiction

From the age-old inquiries into the very essence of life, as posited by vitalism, to the ambitious aspirations of transhumanism that seek to enhance the human experience through technology, and the profound realms of posthumanism, which imagines entities and consciousness beyond our current human form, science fiction offers a rich tapestry of narratives that both enthrall and provoke thought.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

A Just Tomorrow: A Call for Holistic Human Rights Reforms

In the contemporary geopolitics, developed Western nations stand out as beacons of prosperity, democracy, and human rights. For these nations, the preservation and actualization of such rights is not just a matter of international compliance but of foundational ethos. In this discourse, we shall argue that these nations bear a primary responsibility to guarantee these rights to their fullest extent, transcending mere nominal protection to ensure tangible, accessible, and equitable provisions for all.

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