By asserting that brain is the seat of all mental activities I do not imply that mind has only a pasive role. This is my position
1) Brain is a necessary condition for any sort of mental activity
2) For every mental activity there has to be corresponding physical activity in the brain; even though present day neuroscience is unable to uncover this link completely.
3) Though dependant on the brain, mind can function with some autonomy. We are able to bring about changes in our mental state with effort !. This can change the brain's function to that extent. For example during meditation one'e altered mental state induces changes in the brain and in the body. Similarly during hypnosis also one is able to change the mental state, and thereby the brain.
Conclusion from the above discussions:
a) The brain is a necessary condition for existence of mind.
b) States of the brain influences our mental actitivty (presence of illnesses, or alcohol, drugs etc)
c) States of mind can influence the brain to some extent.
This basic understanding assumes paramount importance when we try to understand mental health, mental illnesses, their causes, treatments etc.
ഇന്ത്യ
7 months ago
2 comments:
This is the area where we have lot of claims by lot of human beings or their minds,which are difficult to prove or disprove.
Can I say mind has shape or has no shape ? or mind has it's own physical existence other than brain? or has other properties like electro magnetic waves which are not perceptible to our existing sensory organs? Can we deny it's presence or existance outside it's seat or the brain?Do we have evidence that it disappear altogerher after brain cease to function?
So far there is no conclusive indisputable evidence to prove that mind or spirit transcends its physical basis of existence, that is the brain. But of course one cannot predict what science is going to prove tomorrow. This is where things shift to the domain of belief. My view that both positions are, at present, mere belief. I would prefer to leave this issue open.
Post a Comment