Materialistic Cognition: Materialism suggests that matter, in and of itself, lacks cognitive properties. Yet, when basic matter engages in movement and combination, it gains the capacity for cognition. This implies that cognition isn’t an inherent quality (like the innate nature of consciousness) but rather a complex interplay of material interactions and dynamics. Currently, for humans, cognition is centered in the brain, with the five senses acting merely as instruments. Hence, the brain is the cognizer, while the external world becomes the cognized.
In the materialist view, cognition lacks its own inherent nature. If it did, that would be consciousness, making the mind the essence. Materialism considers cognitive ability to be a byproduct of movement of matter; without an essence of its own, cognition ceases with death—hence the Chinese proverb “death is like the extinguishing of a lamp.
This form of cognition is nothing more than material combinations and movements. For humans today, this is specifically identified as brain cognition, which naturally includes the nervous system among other elements. The five senses are simply tools, composed of nerves and crystalline structures. Therefore, the brain is the cognizer, and the external environment is what is cognized. The brain serves as the subject of cognition, with nerves providing assistance. Everything we perceive in the external world, including mountains, water, people, and objects, is considered the cognized.
Should we ponder if the current materialistic cognition aligns with this description? This approach to cognition may not be entirely scientific; it relies solely on our severely limited understanding. Pushing beyond these boundaries, such as applying medical terminology to the average person, could prove to be too much—it’s not practical, and we cannot do it like this.
Excerpted from: Cognition and Expression Part Two
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