Questions tagged [mind-body]
The mind–body problem is the problem of explaining how our mental states, events and processes—like beliefs, actions and thinking—are related to the physical states,events and processes in our bodies, given that the human body is a physical entity and the mind is non-physical.
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How do non-theistic dualists explain the emergence of the mind?
For a theistic dualist, the moment when the brain is no longer just a lump of living neurons but a conscious mind is the moment their deity of choice puts a soul in the body.
For an identity ...
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Does claiming that strong AI is impossible imply a belief in substance dualism?
I was reading an article by J Mark Bishop "The danger of artificial stupidity" on ScientaSalon, where he quotes his own research, John Searle and Hilary Putnam, among others, as proof of the ...
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Can the existance of consciousness be proven by refering to it?
First question here. I'm new to Philosophy and I'm wondering if it is a correct thing to say "I can prove my consciousness (to myself) by referring to it"?
This came up in my philosophy class. ...
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"How does an immaterial activity (eg thinking a thought) inform a material medium (eg the brain) in which it is manifested?" [closed]
I do not think this question can be answered adequately unless the thinker takes a 'moral realist' (moral reality) position - defined as a reality independent of the Mind.
A Thought is an "immaterial ...
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Middle finger and it's curse [closed]
Why do people call/ consider the middle finger the cursing middle finger the cursing?
Where did that concept originate from?
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Are human feelings and emotions overrated? [closed]
A human baby is born with very basic feelings like pain and hunger. I am not talking about the five senses, but rather what a baby can feel. As babies grows up, they learn other feelings such as fear, ...
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Philosophy and Psychology of Emotion
" We are all comfortable using terms to refer to things that seem non-physical objects, such as "Tuesday," "justice," and "luck." These things seem to be able to affect physical things, e.g. "Tuesday" ...
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in light of shaffers analysis, what do you think is the best position for and against dualism and materialism?
on shaffers arguments for and against dualism and materialism, what is the best position? and is there a solution to the mind body problem?
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What is the term for this idea about thought relative to action?
An idea was described to me once, that went something like this:
Thoughts give rise to actions. But, given that mental activity involves movement of neurotransmitters, etc. then thought itself is an ...
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What good books are there on the mind–body problem?
What good books are there on the mind–body problem?
I would be especially curious whether there are any well-written books about the "mind vs. brain" problem and related questions like the hard/soft ...
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About models of Human Cognition
Are there any models of Human Cognition that do not require some physicallist concepts? Maybe a model of the Mind-brain system as a self-sustaining self-controlling 'behavioural-algorithm' processing ...
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Regarding the Mind-brain conflict
Some philosopher or scientist made an analogy of Mind versus Brain is related to Software versus Hardware. What was that about? If an A.I. computing system called P.A.L. has a self-sustaining ...
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Regarding freedom of choice
If all Human beings are 'super complicated' neuro-chemical biological machines (with all possible 'brain' activities governed by the laws of physics and chemistry) how can any 'brain' activities even ...
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Does Cartesian Doubt Depend on Cartesian Dualism?
Even though this isn't exactly accurate, the way I like to think of Descartes' hyperbolic doubt as stating that there's no way to prove that information gained through sensory experience is accurate. ...
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If we would split my brain would there be two of me? [closed]
Considering that I can survive with only half of my brain, and I am a mind living in a body.
If we would split my brain in two and then implant one part into some other body and leave other half in my ...
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What school of thought is used in Wolfenstein: The New Order Tekla Monologue?
What philosophical frame is used in this Wolfenstein: The New Order Tekla Monologue?
-B Jesus Christ Tekla, aren't you asleep?
-T I try not to sleep. No telling if I will ever wake up.
-T Let me ask ...
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About a mind / brain analogy regarding computers [closed]
If the Mind is associated with a self-organizing system of software ( like in an A.I. system) and the Brain is associated with the system's hardware then it is assumed by many that the Brain causes ...
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Am I not my body?
My intuitive reaction to thought experiments such as described in the following question leaves me thinking I am not my body.
Almost Sure Mind Transfer via Parfit's Identity Theory (interesting ...
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Is soul motion? [closed]
Has any philosopher shown that it is not?
Aristotle holds - that the soul is the form, or essence of any living thing.
René Descartes holds - that the mind is a nonphysical substance.
If we assume ...
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The Notion of Objectivity
It seems to me that one of the most fundamental concepts in philosophy is "objectivity" since trying to find an answer for a question of any sort would ultimately depend upon the answer of ...
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What speaks for — and against — elimiative physicalism?
In the body-mind-problem, I myself stand on the side of eliminative physicalism.
I find this position to be the easiest to argue for: We saw persons changing their minds when their brains changed, ...
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How is physicalism true? [closed]
Assumptions:
Human auras exist.
There is a subset of the population who are capable of discerning their properties, by whatever means.
Machines can not sense human auras.
Following these ...
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Would rebuilding a human body rebuild the person it was?
I have zero background in philosophy, so forgive me for...asking this in an informal manner.
We have a hypothetical scenario. Suppose that our consciousness at
some time were reducible to ...
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In Hinduism, what is an astral body? [closed]
As per Hindu philosophy, there are three things - Body, Mind and Soul. Sometimes we come across this term "Astral Body."
I read in a book:
"When doing meditation, deeply into it, our astral body ...
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Is there a philosophical difference between consciousness and self-consciousness?
I was contemplating Heideggers idea of Being whose Being is a problem. Self-consciousness to me, whilst directly speaks of consciousness that is aware of its own self as a consciousness, also carries ...
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What area of philosophy deals with that which is outside of the normal (physical) reality (i.e. the "paranormal")?
I know that several different philosophy currents touch the subject of what we are as humans, what does it mean to be alive, and if we are something transcendent to the mere bodily representation that ...
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If I upload my brain into a computer is it still me?
I think the answer is yes but I know a lot of people disagree. So, I would like to ask these people when exactly does it stop being me.
Let's say I want to upload my brain into a computer using the ...
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Am I still the same person as I was yesterday?
Since every living being has a metabolism, we all live in non-equilibrium state. We keep on exchanging molecules and atoms with our environment. I assume that our brain is affected by this as well as ...
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What is the modern solution to the mind-body problem for those who still hold the mind is separate?
René Descartes gave us the problem of how the mind interacts with the body in its modern formulation. Essentially, he asked how the incorporeal mind was able to influence the material body. He also ...
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