210k views
2 votes
Why does Susan say the following?When we first presented this problem to the Brain, as I hope some of you remember, I went to great lengths to impress upon it the importance of rejecting any item of information capable of creating a dilemma. In doing so I said something like "Don't get excited about the death of humans. We don't mind it at all. Just give the sheet back and forget it."

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Susan's comment conveys the instruction given to an entity known as 'Brain' to disregard emotionally charged information to avoid dilemmas, illustrating a conflict between intellect and emotion in the management of information and ethical decision-making.

Step-by-step explanation:

Susan's statement seems to revolve around a theme of intellect versus emotion, specifically as it pertains to the processing of information by an entity referred to as the 'Brain.' By instructing the 'Brain' to dismiss information that could cause a dilemma, Susan emphasizes the importance of maintaining objectivity and avoiding potential conflicts that might arise if the 'Brain' were to process the emotional weight of human death. This reflects an underlying concern with the ethical implications of how knowledge is managed, and whether emotion should play a role in this process.

The complexity and seriousness of this discussion suggest that her statement is tied to larger philosophical and ethical questions about human actions and their consequences, the value of life and the acceptability of risking harm, as supported by the passages provided.

The broader themes at play include the nature of scientific discovery and the pursuit of knowledge (as seen in the discussion of cosmic origins), the tension between intellectual pursuits and their physical or moral consequences, and the struggle to reconcile feelings of compassion and humanity with rational, scientific thought.

User Mayank Majithia
by
8.2k points