What is Mind?
-
- Posts: 1573
- Joined: March 30th, 2014, 2:18 pm
Re: What is Mind?
A quote from Homer Simpson btw.
- Drunk and Ignorant
- New Trial Member
- Posts: 4
- Joined: April 24th, 2014, 11:21 am
Re: What is Mind?
I believe the mind is simply the biological machine, an organ of the human body as important as other organs. It contains chemicals, neuro-pathways and such. So the value we place on thoughts, whilst it does help us and is important to us, is of no more important in a universal sense than the heart or lungs or anything else and no more unique or "special".UniversalAlien wrote:Assuming you are reading this one might assume that you assume you have a mind to do the reading. But what is this thing called mind that you use, or uses you? Is it a thing, an entity, a brain, a soul, a self, etc.? Or is mind nothing more than a computer in a biological container? We know what we mean when we say someone 'lost their mind' - But what did they lose - the ability to effectively process and control their physical reality - Or is mind more than that? Must a mind be creative, individualistic, with a self and an ego? What do you think it means to have a mind? And what do you think this thing called mind is?
That is the mind. A by-product of your brain.
- ReasonMadeFlesh
- Posts: 744
- Joined: September 2nd, 2013, 11:07 pm
- Favorite Philosopher: Jesus Christ
- Location: Here & Now
Re: What is Mind?
Accepting panpsychism doesn't mean a physicalist has to give in to mentalism.Consul wrote:Yes, and a physicalist, a "real physicalist". However, most physicalists think that physicalism excludes panpsychism. On the other hand, there is allegedly:Bohm2 wrote:You do realize that Strawson is a panpsychist?
"…the very possibility of what I shall call Panpsychistic Materialism.
It is often noted that psychophysical identity is a two-way street: if all mental properties are physical, then some physical properties are mental. But perhaps not just some but all physical properties might be mental as well; and indeed every property of anything might be at once physical and mental."
(Lewis, David. "New Work for a Theory of Universals." 1983. Reprinted in Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology, 8-55. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. p. 35)
Should this be called "panpsychophysicalism" or "panphysiopsychicalism"? I don't know.
- Consul
- Posts: 6136
- Joined: February 21st, 2014, 6:32 am
- Location: Germany
Re: What is Mind?
No, but there's a difference between saying that all things have both mental properties and physical properties, with the former being different from the latter, and saying that all things have properties which are both mental and physical.ReasonMadeFlesh wrote:Accepting panpsychism doesn't mean a physicalist has to give in to mentalism.
- Subatomic God
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: October 15th, 2013, 11:09 pm
Re: What is Mind?
Well said, Consul.Consul wrote:
No, but there's a difference between saying that all things have both mental properties and physical properties, with the former being different from the latter, and saying that all things have properties which are both mental and physical.
- Neznac
- Posts: 1652
- Joined: December 4th, 2012, 2:31 pm
Re: What is Mind?
The thing I'd like to know is, what are these mental properties? How does one identify them?Subatomic God wrote:Well said, Consul.Consul wrote:
No, but there's a difference between saying that all things have both mental properties and physical properties, with the former being different from the latter, and saying that all things have properties which are both mental and physical.
-
- Posts: 2084
- Joined: July 20th, 2012, 11:56 pm
Re: What is Mind?
- ReasonMadeFlesh
- Posts: 744
- Joined: September 2nd, 2013, 11:07 pm
- Favorite Philosopher: Jesus Christ
- Location: Here & Now
Re: What is Mind?
I'd say the opposite.Granth wrote:Everything physical is a mental property. It is also called sensory perception.
-
- Posts: 447
- Joined: July 14th, 2014, 11:59 pm
Re: What is Mind?
- Subatomic God
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: October 15th, 2013, 11:09 pm
Re: What is Mind?
Is the mind inside? Or is the mind outside?Sacrontine wrote:I don't think the mind even exists, it's just a word people use as far as I can see.
-
- Posts: 447
- Joined: July 14th, 2014, 11:59 pm
Re: What is Mind?
I just told you I don't think it exists, how could I answer that question?Subatomic God wrote:Is the mind inside? Or is the mind outside?
- Neznac
- Posts: 1652
- Joined: December 4th, 2012, 2:31 pm
Re: What is Mind?
I agree. There are a lot of words people use for imaginary things that don't exist. Even the word 'consciousness' is not referring to a thing, but to an action, yet like 'mind' it's a very convenient word to use! I think that believing in the existence of a mind is the first step to believing in the existence of a god; it's all the same kind of linguistic mistake!Sacrontine wrote:I don't think the mind even exists, it's just a word people use as far as I can see.
- Subatomic God
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: October 15th, 2013, 11:09 pm
Re: What is Mind?
If you feel that it's outside, then it does exist. The information and ideas come from somewhere, but perhaps it's truly not inside, as we interpret the experience. Our entire brains are connected to this world with senses and connection, therefore the mind is not in the brain - it's connected to the brain from the Universe, via electromagnetic forces.Sacrontine wrote: I just told you I don't think it exists, how could I answer that question?
-
- Posts: 447
- Joined: July 14th, 2014, 11:59 pm
Re: What is Mind?
But if I don't, it doesn't? Because I don't.Subatomic God wrote:If you feel that it's outside, then it does exist.
- Subatomic God
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: October 15th, 2013, 11:09 pm
Re: What is Mind?
You can, if you open your mind to the possibility that there is not a "your mind", but "a mind" - that is not "inside", but "outside".Sacrontine wrote: But if I don't, it doesn't? Because I don't.
2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
2023 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023