Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Discuss any topics related to metaphysics (the philosophical study of the principles of reality) or epistemology (the philosophical study of knowledge) in this forum.
Belindi
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by Belindi »

JackDaydream wrote: August 22nd, 2021, 5:48 pm I have wondered a lot about the mind and body problem and definitely think that Fritjof Capra' s analysis of the way in which Descartes' split between mind and body has been a problematic split in Westen understanding. But, the mind and body problem is a recurrent issue in philosophy, ranging from the idealism of Berkley to the behaviorism of B F Skinner. It is such a complex area of philosophy and, from my perspective, a large part of the understanding is about whether 'mind' or body are seen as the most essential aspects of experience. However, it is extremely complicated, partly due to basic metaphysical assumptions, as well as basic understandings of terms such as mind and body, as well as ideas which have been explored in philosophy, such as 'soul' and 'spirit'' in the writings of Plato and Hegel, difficult to understand.


I am writing this thread with a view to an understanding of the mind and body problem in the twentieth first century, which comes in retrospect to so many philosophers, and it is also based on the thinking of psychology, which is based on empirical analysis, and evidence based research. Despite this trend, I am still left wondering about the how metaphysical assumptions and analysis of this can further our thinking, especially in terms of the mind and body problem, and how we think about the split. Is the split between mind and body illusory, and how can we think about the relationship between mind and body philosophically in a way which makes meaningful sense of our experience of reality?
Yes, the so called mind-body problem is ontological material, Ontology is part of metaphysics. Ontology is about what exists, often referred to as "substances". E.g. "Is mind the same substance as the brain or is it a separate substance from the brain?" (mind-brain identity theory anyone?)

Fritjof Capra is excellent as intro to metaphysics.
I agree with him about Descartes and I'd go further and say how cruel Descartes was to animals and what a cruel legacy, because he said they are automata(no minds).

one interesting theory of existence you may want to explore is called neutral monism: mind and matter are two aspects of the same thing i.e. nature.
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JackDaydream
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by JackDaydream »

@Belindi
Personally, I find Frtitjof Capra is an interesting writer and does have important contributions to make to metaphysics, but I believe that in many circles of philosophy, he is not given the importance or attention he deserves. I found his book, 'The Turning Point, to be so helpful in thinking about the metaphysical assumptions which lie behind so many disciplines, including psychology and economics.

It is rather sad that Descartes saw animals as having no minds, and it comes with a very specific conception of minds, based on human projections and sense of superiority. It can also be seen as part of a way of viewing the natural world as something over which human beings, as the ultimate masters within creation, can use and abuse for their own ends.
PoeticUniverse
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by PoeticUniverse »

JackDaydream wrote: September 1st, 2021, 4:28 am comprised of symbols.
Split the lark and you'll find the music…


Article on the poem:

https://slowlander.com/2019/09/10/spli ... the-music/
FranknBerry
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by FranknBerry »

From my own conclusions on the subject matter I've found that the "mind/body" problem is better described as the "brain/spinal cord" problem. Although, it isn't a problem in my perception. The brain and spinal cord are inversed states of one another. Each impacts the other. Neither is representative as a singular primary point of activity, rather both equally do. Two sides of a coin with both existing on either side. The brain is arguably just a squished down and inside out version of the spinal cord, and vice versa.

Trees and their roots exist in the same way.
Belindi
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by Belindi »

FranknBerry wrote: September 6th, 2021, 3:41 pm From my own conclusions on the subject matter I've found that the "mind/body" problem is better described as the "brain/spinal cord" problem. Although, it isn't a problem in my perception. The brain and spinal cord are inversed states of one another. Each impacts the other. Neither is representative as a singular primary point of activity, rather both equally do. Two sides of a coin with both existing on either side. The brain is arguably just a squished down and inside out version of the spinal cord, and vice versa.

Trees and their roots exist in the same way.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflex_arc

There is no problem. The so-called reflex arc is how the spinal cord, the body proper, and the brain proper interact.
FranknBerry
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by FranknBerry »

Belindi wrote: September 7th, 2021, 4:48 am
FranknBerry wrote: September 6th, 2021, 3:41 pm From my own conclusions on the subject matter I've found that the "mind/body" problem is better described as the "brain/spinal cord" problem. Although, it isn't a problem in my perception. The brain and spinal cord are inversed states of one another. Each impacts the other. Neither is representative as a singular primary point of activity, rather both equally do. Two sides of a coin with both existing on either side. The brain is arguably just a squished down and inside out version of the spinal cord, and vice versa.

Trees and their roots exist in the same way.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflex_arc

There is no problem. The so-called reflex arc is how the spinal cord, the body proper, and the brain proper interact.
I already said my perception was that there wasn't a problem. Not sure why you reacted by repeating as such. The so-called "reflex arc" is just an associated word with an observed behavior pattern found between the spinal cord and brain. This behavior pattern being what I indicated in my comment. The spinal cord and brain both demonstrate the same behavior/function just in inversed ways. This being why left controls right and right controls left. The "reflex arc" is just another way of saying "communication", "interaction", "association", etc.
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JackDaydream
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by JackDaydream »

@FranknBerry

I will be rather controversial and say what I thought about in relation to your comment about the spine and the brain. It lead me to think of the Eastern idea of 'kundalini', in which the location of consciousness is seen as related to the kundalini force which rises up from the base of the spine and curls round to the centre of the front of the forehead. However, this idea is based on Eastern metaphysics and philosophy of mind, and, while I have an interest in such a view, I realise that it may be that such a perspective is probably not subscribed to in mainstream Western thought and philosophy.
Belindi
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Re: Is the Mind/ Body Problem an Underlying Problem About Metaphysics.?

Post by Belindi »

FranknBerry wrote: September 7th, 2021, 2:07 pm
Belindi wrote: September 7th, 2021, 4:48 am
FranknBerry wrote: September 6th, 2021, 3:41 pm From my own conclusions on the subject matter I've found that the "mind/body" problem is better described as the "brain/spinal cord" problem. Although, it isn't a problem in my perception. The brain and spinal cord are inversed states of one another. Each impacts the other. Neither is representative as a singular primary point of activity, rather both equally do. Two sides of a coin with both existing on either side. The brain is arguably just a squished down and inside out version of the spinal cord, and vice versa.

Trees and their roots exist in the same way.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflex_arc

There is no problem. The so-called reflex arc is how the spinal cord, the body proper, and the brain proper interact.
I already said my perception was that there wasn't a problem. Not sure why you reacted by repeating as such. The so-called "reflex arc" is just an associated word with an observed behavior pattern found between the spinal cord and brain. This behavior pattern being what I indicated in my comment. The spinal cord and brain both demonstrate the same behavior/function just in inversed ways. This being why left controls right and right controls left. The "reflex arc" is just another way of saying "communication", "interaction", "association", etc.
Sorry Frank. ' In future I will not omit "I agree" when appropriate which it was in my reply to you.
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