Go back
The nature of mind

The nature of mind

Debates

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

What is the nature of the human mind? What are its defining characteristics? Where is it located?

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by eagles54
What is the nature of the human mind? What are its defining characteristics? Where is it located?
I don't think it's located anywhere. But it depends on stuff (the brain) that is located inside our heads.

Subjectivity, or explicitness, is one defining feature, and one that can't be reduced conceptually to any objective feature, abstract or concrete.

Clock
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by eagles54
What is the nature of the human mind? What are its defining characteristics? Where is it located?
Merriam-Webster suggests this definition for mind.

a : the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons b : the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism c : the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism.

So the mind is everything that goes on mentally, it seems, from working out a math problem to crying at a funeral. In short, the mind is our invisible existence. And so, being invisible and having such a range of ability it can have no specific location. I have other ideas about the mind and it's counterparts, but sinse one of those counterparts is the spirit, I cannot speak of them in fear that the Man will stomp me down.

... --- ...

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by thesonofsaul
... but sinse one of those counterparts is the spirit, I cannot speak of them in fear that the Man will stomp me down...
I'll help. It's a part of your soul. Which will possibly go to heaven if you believe in that spiritual stuff...

I do...

But if you don't please don't be offended or anything...

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by ChessNut
I'll help. It's a part of your soul. Which will possibly go to heaven if you believe in that spiritual stuff...

I do...

But if you don't please don't be offended or anything...
How dare you speak your mind! Such rabblerousing is not allowed! Get thee to your assigned place and be quiet! Perhaps there should be a seperate forum just for you?

... --- ...

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by thesonofsaul
Merriam-Webster suggests this definition for mind.

a : the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons b : the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism c : the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism.

So the mind is everything that ...[text shortened]... ts is the spirit, I cannot speak of them in fear that the Man will stomp me down.

... --- ...
How can it be both an 'element' of sorts yet have no specific location? If it is an entity it should be able to be pinpointed.

Aren't mental functions like problem solving or crying more like aspects of what the mind exhibits and not the actual mind itself?

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by eagles54
How can it be both an 'element' of sorts yet have no specific location? If it is an entity it should be able to be pinpointed.

Aren't mental functions like problem solving or crying more like aspects of what the mind exhibits and not the actual mind itself?
Being an element merely suggests being a part of something. It does not suggest physicality. Ideas do not occupy space, at least not as our bodies do.

... --- ...

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by ChessNut
I'll help. It's a part of your soul. Which will possibly go to heaven if you believe in that spiritual stuff...

I do...

But if you don't please don't be offended or anything...
Not at all offended and thanks for being considerate 😀

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by thesonofsaul
How dare you speak your mind! Such rabblerousing is not allowed! Get thee to your assigned place and be quiet! Perhaps there should be a seperate forum just for you?

... --- ...
Sooo sorry. But how wonderful, a forum just for me?! But how can we save the unbelievers if we only have ourselves to argue with? 😉

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

I submit that the mind or concept of it is a definition without a location. Yes there is a brain in most of us but the mind is intangible.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Joe Fist
I submit that the mind or concept of it is a definition without a location. Yes there is a brain in most of us but the mind is intangible.
If it is not tangible.. how does one lose it?

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by ChessNut
If it is not tangible.. how does one lose it?
Good question. I would further submit that the expression "losing one's mind" is also inaccurate. Rather I think it just goes down a different path than the one which has been dominant.

By the way, its probably pretty obvious by now I am totally talking out of my a$$ but I think there might be a point I'm trying to make somewhere.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by thesonofsaul
Being an element merely suggests being a part of something. It does not suggest physicality. Ideas do not occupy space, at least not as our bodies do.

... --- ...

So if an element is part of something, does that means that the mind is not complete in itself? I'm not trying to badger but to understand.

Also, what are mental fabrications (problem-solving, crying, for instance) in relation to mind? Are they mind itself or perhaps its projections?

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Joe Fist
Good question. I would further submit that the expression "losing one's mind" is also inaccurate. Rather I think it just goes down a different path than the one which has been dominant.

By the way, its probably pretty obvious by now I am totally talking out of my a$$ but I think there might be a point I'm trying to make somewhere.
As your mind is pudding you shouldn't be to worried about losing it.

😉

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
As your mind is pudding you shouldn't be to worried about losing it.

😉
D'oh!!!!! Yeah but what if somebody eats all of the pudding? I think that may have already happened.... 🙄🙄

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.