Thread: I ain't superstitious, but a black cat crossed my trail ..... Poll

Okay, well if we (as the educated gentlemen that we are) are going to chalk up superstition to mind over matter, and that our beliefs and perceptions are altering how we see the world thus reinforcing our already incorrect beliefs ... Then I have to pull the trump card.

Homunculus... That's right, I went there.

Cheers,
JackofDiamonds

Originally Posted by JackofDiamonds

Okay, well if we (as the educated gentlemen that we are) are going to chalk up superstition to mind over matter, and that our beliefs and perceptions are altering how we see the world thus reinforcing our already incorrect beliefs ... Then I have to pull the trump card.

Homunculus... That's right, I went there.

Cheers,
JackofDiamonds

Jack:
No need to whip out fallacious arguments. I've already explained superstition. It is non-contingent behavioural reinforcement. If I do "something" (behaviour) and then a desirable effect results, I've been reinforced (either positively or negatively). This reinforcement increases the probability that, in similar or identical circumstances, I will reproduce the "something" behaviour again in the future. Even if the "something" (behaviour) has absolutely nothing to do with the reinforcement, ex. dancing to get the rain to stop.
I do like that you dared to whip out Chomsky's argument, though! It does work somewhat w/models of vision, if I recall.

Originally Posted by JackofDiamonds

Homunculus... That's right, I went there.

Gentlemen ..... please refrain from bringing sexual preference into this conversation .....