Philosophy v Psychology

Philosophy and psychology share intertwined histories yet represent distinct approaches to understanding the human experience. Philosophy, the ancient and foundational discipline, explores profound questions about existence, reality, knowledge, and ethics. Philosophers engage in abstract reasoning and critical thinking to analyze concepts, often delving into debates about consciousness, morality, and the nature of reality. Philosophy operates on a theoretical level, focusing on conceptual exploration and reasoning. Throughout history, philosophical inquiries laid the groundwork for the study of the mind and behavior, providing the philosophical underpinnings upon which psychology would emerge.

In contrast, psychology emerged as a separate scientific discipline in the late 19th century, building upon the philosophical inquiries of earlier scholars. In the 19th century, figures like Wilhelm Wundt and William James are often credited with establishing psychology as a separate discipline. Wundt, for instance, founded the first psychological laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany, where he conducted experiments to study the elements of human consciousness. James, in the United States, wrote the influential book "The Principles of Psychology" in 1890, which helped establish psychology as a formal academic discipline.

Rooted in empirical observation and experimentation, psychology employs rigorous scientific methods to study human thought, emotion, and behavior. Psychologists use experiments, surveys, and observations to gather data, aiming to understand the underlying mechanisms that govern human actions. While philosophy contemplates abstract questions, psychology employs empirical evidence and data-driven approaches to explore topics such as perception, memory, and social behavior. Despite their shared historical roots, philosophy and psychology represent distinct methodologies—one characterized by theoretical inquiry and abstract reasoning, the other by empirical investigation and scientific observation.

Contemplation, one insight a day

 

Optimism inspires us to dream big and reach for the stars.

Contemplation, one line a day

Equanimity is the forgiveness that frees us from the past

 

 

https://www.dailycal.org/2018/04/05/access-ramp-volunteering

Fall Equinox

The Fall equinox (September equinox, autumn equinox,fall equinox) is an astronomical event that occurs annually around September 22nd or 23rd in the northern hemisphere and around March 20th or 21st in the southern hemisphere. It marks the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator; the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun. As a result, the sun appears directly over the Earth's equator, and day and night are approximately of equal duration across the globe.

Rituals and celebrations associated with the fall equinox tend and be more significant in regions that are further away from the equator; where the changing of seasons, including the transition from summer to fall, is more noticeable, and the equinoxes have a greater impact on day length and seasonal shifts. However, variations of rituals and celebrations related to the fall equinox can be found across different latitudes and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the significance of this celestial event in various traditions.

• Harvest Festivals: Many cultures celebrate the fall equinox as a harvest festival, giving thanks for the abundance of crops and the bountiful harvest season. Examples include Thanksgiving in North America, Chuseok in Korea, and the Harvest Moon Festival in China.
• Mabon: Mabon is a neopagan festival that is often celebrated around the fall equinox. It is a time to honor the balance between light and dark and to express gratitude for the harvest. Rituals may involve feasting, making offerings to deities, and communing with nature.
• Day of the Dead: In some Latin American countries, including Mexico, the fall equinox coincides with the beginning of the Day of the Dead celebrations. This multi-day festival involves honoring deceased loved ones, creating altars, and participating in processions and ceremonies.
• Mid-Autumn Festival: The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated in East Asia, including China, Vietnam, and other regions with Chinese cultural influence. It typically falls around the fall equinox and is marked by the lighting of lanterns, family gatherings, moon-viewing, and the consumption of mooncakes.
• Pagan and Druidic Traditions: In certain pagan and druidic traditions, the fall equinox is known as "Mabon" or "Alban Elfed." It is considered a time of balance, with rituals centering on themes of thanksgiving, reflection, and preparing for the coming winter.

Day meets night, in a dance of equinox light

where seasons change in harmonious flight

"Goodness is the gentle rain that nourishes the seeds of compassion, blooming into acts of love and generosity." - Hari Srinivasan

Contemplation, one line a day

 Serenity is the clarity that comes with a quiet mind.

"Courage is the steadfast bridge from fear to possibility, and in everyday life, it's found in the willingness to take that first step into the unknown." - Hari Srinivasan

Back at the DeCal

It was lovely to be back as guest speaker at the UC Berkeley Autism Decal Class, a class that I led when I was at Berkeley. I can't believe this will be my 3rd time as guest speaker (or that I'm in 2nd year of grad school). I sure miss that class and the amazing opportunity it provided for me to not just contribute but also to learn and grown.

This time spoke about what my advocacy journey had looked looked like as I want others to come up with their own unique journeys and find ways to contribute, and also about my research in both grad and undergrad. 

 

Proud of my alma mater

https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/09/17/u-s-news-ranks-uc-berkeley-top-public-school-in-the-country

Apraxia Dyspraxia and its connection to autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. While apraxia and dyspraxia are not the core features of autism, they can co-occur in autism. The exact reasons for the overlap are not fully understood, but it's believed that shared neural pathways might play a role. And while we don’t know whether all the spoken communication challenges seen in a significant portion of autistics are exactly due to apraxia or dyspraxia, the fact of the matter is that many of us do seem to tick the some of checkboxes of the textbook descriptions of what apraxia and dyspraxia are at an observational level.

For instance, Apraxia is thought to be the result of impact to the part of the brain that plans the movements required to produce speech. You may know what you want to say, but your brain has difficulty in coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words. There may be inconsistent speech errors, difficulty in imitating speech and more errors when there are longer sentences or more complex words.

Dyspraxia affects motor skill development. It's not due to muscle weakness but rather a brain-based issue in planning and coordinating movements. So you may struggle with tasks like tying shoes, buttoning shirts, or any activities that require a sequence of movements. Or you might appear clumsy or awkward in your movements when you engage in such tasks.

Again we don’t know if apraxia and dyspraxia by themselves explain all the communication issues seen in almost a third of the autistic population. we don't fully understand how it connects to autism biologically. In other words, we don't know what parts of the brain, neurotransmitters, synaptic connections, and signaling pathways are impacted in those with autism with apraxia and without apraxia. We don't know whether the neurological issues that contribute to someone having autism also predispose them heavily towards having apraxia. Given that 87% of people with autism reportedly have some kind of motor issues, it is highly plausible that they are closely interconnected. 

I think its more useful to use broader terms of what is happening with autistics like "movement differences" or "motor difficulties" till we can say on the basis of real science that the primary neurological condition impacting our movement issues is apraxia or dyspraxia.

Importantly, we do know that communication is a huge challenge and there is an urgent need to not only figure out what is going on but also an equally urgent need for translatable solutions.

 

Contemplation, one thought a day

Serenity is the freedom that comes with letting go of attachment.

Contemplation

 Compassionate action is the bridge between intention and impact.- Hari Srinivasan