Definitions of Select Theories of Consciousness
There are many different theories of consciousness, each supposing that they have the appropriate, correct answer for the question “What is Consciousness?” Dualism is the idea that the mind/soul can be separate from the body, and can live on after a person dies. Many scientists completely disregard dualism, because how can one prove a soul? How the soul can interact with and control the body (and whether it does or not) is the subject of thousands of years of debate. Most religions have some sort of dualistic belief. An argument against dualism is that it violates the laws of physics that an immaterial substance can have an effect on a physical being. I contend that we still have more to discover about physics. Panpsychism is the idea that all things in the universe have a consciousness or soul to them. Star Wars popularized this concept in the “Force”. I am amenable to this idea; it would explain why certain objects or machines seem so contrary at times. Yes, I anthropomorphize my possessions.
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One’s mind/soul does not exist outside one’s body, and when the body dies, so too does the mind. There are various theories that scientists have put forth in support of this, some more likely to me than others. Epiphenomenalism, for instance is highly unlikely to me. The idea that though consciousness does exist, and though it is formed by the brain it has no effect on our behavior is patently false to my eyes. I have personal experience of my conscious mind affecting my behavior. The idea that consciousness is a mere “by product” is
We tend to think that our bodies and minds as separate systems and believe they function, independently. Yet instinctively we should know that that is incorrect. We all as human beings function independently with both the mind and the body,
Richard Taylor explained why the body and the mind are one, and why they are not two separate substances. In the article “The Mind as a Function of the Body”, Taylor divides his article in a number of sections and explains clearly why dualism, or the theory that the mind and the body are separate is not conceivable. In one of these sections it is explained in detail the origin of why some philosophers and people believe in dualist metaphysics. As stated by Taylor “when we form an idea of a body or a physical object, what is most likely to come to mind is not some person or animal but something much simpler, such as a stone or a marble”(133). The human has the tendency to believe a physical object as simple, and not containing anything complex. A problem with believing this is that unlike a stone or a marble a human (or an animal) has a brain and the body is composed of living cells (excluding dead skin cells, hair, and nails which are dead cells). The f...
The differences of mind and soul have intrigued mankind since the dawn of time, Rene Descartes, Thomas Nagel, and Plato have addressed the differences between mind and matter. Does the soul remain despite the demise of its material extension? Is the soul immaterial? Are bodies, but a mere extension of forms in the physical world? Descartes, Nagel, and Plato agree that the immaterial soul and the physical body are distinct entities.
Yes I believe there is such thing as soul how else would you explain heaven and hell. It survives outside the body because our bodies are not yet dead. Just like when you go to bed at night and have a dream about a dead relative that you two are fishing. It’s like your spirit meeting with that person just like if you went to visit a friend.
In the Bible, there are several references that help me to better understand this thought—in fact the word ‘soul’ is used nearly 800 times in the Bible. In Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 it says “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun.” This verse means that the soul and body die together. In Genesis 2:7, God breathes life into Adam and he becomes a living soul, meaning that before, he was not a living soul. On the other hand, I did find a verse that could mean the soul is separated from the body at death: “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7. I also found a verse that means the soul does not die unless God destroys it: "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew
In summary, it is my belief that our mind exists within our brain; however that is just its housing. Upon the death of our physical body our mind moves and inhabits our soul in a similar way. In terms of the immortality of our mind, it undergoes a transformation so great during these transitions that the old mind no longer exists as it did. Over time, if the soul dies as well, and the mind transitions again to a different vessel, these changes continually alter and shape the mind to the point where it is no longer the original.
Dualism claims that the mind is a distinct nonphysical thing, a complete entity that is independent of any physical body to which it is temporarily attached. Any mental states and activities, as well as physical ones, originate from this unique entity. Dualism states that the real essence of a person has nothing to do with his physical body, but rather from the distinct nonphysical entity of the mind. The mind is in constant interaction with the body. The body's sense organs create experiences in the mind. The desires and decisions of the mind cause the body to act in certain ways. This is what makes each mind's body its own.
Have you ever consciously thought about your consciousness throughout any given day? Throughout any given day regardless of the occurrences, actions are affected by differing states of consciousness. As frequently as stages of consciousness may change, one does not stop and consciously allocate parts of their day into different categories. It is important to note the importance of being aware of different conscious phases throughout any given day, because these different phases affect decision-making aspects of our lives, and are crucial in understanding our own actions and reactions. Periods throughout any given day for me are divided into asleep, alert, and daydreaming modes. Throughout my phases of the day I am sleeping, eating, studying
The desire to avoid dualism has been the driving motive behind much contemporary work on the mind-body problem. Gilbert Ryle made fun of it as the theory of 'the ghost in the machine', and various forms of behaviorism and materialism are designed to show that a place can be found for thoughts, sensations, feelings, and other mental phenomena in a purely physical world. But these theories have trouble accounting for consciousness and its subjective qualia. As the science develops and we discover facts, dualism does not seems likely to be true.
Is Consciousness something automatic, rooted in our selves, something inseparable in a being with abilities of
In philosophy, the majority of studies relate to the mind. Whether it is the main subject or just a helpful side topic to move the main subject along, this term is used often. Defining the term mind is difficult, and is a topic that is popularly studied and debated among philosophers. These qualified and knowledgeable people try to determine whether or not the mind is who people are or if they are their body or a combination. Although they have learned many helpful truths and defined other useful terms, the debate is still evident in the philosophical community today. Learning about how the mind relates to the body, and whether the mind and the brain are the same thing are other ways to look at the many options of how to discern
“Consciousness is defined as everything of which we are aware at any given time - our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions of the external environment. Physiological researchers have returned to the study of consciousness, in examining physiological rhythms, sleep, and altered states of consciousness (changes in awareness produced by sleep, meditation, hypnosis, and drugs)” (Wood, 2011, 169). There are five levels of consciousness; Conscious (sensing, perceiving, and choosing), Preconscious (memories that we can access), Unconscious ( memories that we can not access), Non-conscious ( bodily functions without sensation), and Subconscious ( “inner child,” self image formed in early childhood).
Mind and body are one in the same because if the mind were not affected by the physical world, then it would not have to follow the rules of the physical world. If the mind were truly a separate thing from the body, in theory people should be able to have outer body experiences as they please. It cannot be done because the mind is confined to the body and therefore is part of the body. Outer body experiences people have claimed to have are nothing but dreams. When a person suffers trauma and claims to have had an outer body experience what they describe as experiencing is the same description of a dream. Everyone who truly dies never come back. Dead men tell no tales.
The soul lives on after the death of its physical body. There is much more to living beings than just having a physical body. This is made evident through Plato’s idea of reincarnation. This idea is made when Socrates introduces the Argument from Opposites. Plato claims, “Everything that comes to be so of anything comes to be in this way and no other – opposites from opposites…” (Phaedo 70e). For instance, for an object to become bigger, it must have been first been smaller, and has become bigger out of this smallness. If everything is born of its opposite; then surely the soul is alive after death. This then leads the argument that dead things come from living things, and vice versa, that living things must come from dead things. Socrates also points out that if this were not the case, soon the world would be dead. The soul is immortal, it never dies. Instead, it just transfers out of the body when the body dies and then rejoins the body at
I believe our physical bodies are vessels for something greater than what can be seen or explored. The essence of who we truly are is within us, and I think this is what is frequently referred to as the soul. So to answer the question, I do not believe you have a soul because I believe we are our soul. The soul can be thought of as the essence of the human being. It is something that is beyond our senses so we cannot touch it, smell it, hear it, see it, or even taste it. To explain the soul is quite difficult because we cannot scientifically prove that it is real or that it is embedded into us humans. I believe in the concept of the soul and that our body serves as its temple. Some people have dark souls, while others have lively souls. To reiterate, the soul is our true essence, our true being. Every time we are hurting, so is the soul. Every time we feel joy, so does the soul. Again, to claim that the soul is real and that it lies inside of you is controversial because there aren’t any systematic efforts to prove otherwise. Regardless, it is something that I accept as true.