What is mind?

Posted by Naomi Yang on October 2nd, 2019

A scientific definition of mind does not exist because it is not considered as a physical object. Therefore, it is defined as the consciousness’ awareness that reflects thought’s manifestation. In addition, it reflects emotions, perception, determination, imagination, and memory that occur in the brain. Contemporary, mind is deemed as a phenomenon that is physical and occurs in the brain. On the other hand, some philosophers insist that mind and brain are two different entities. However, there are others that claim that brain does not exist at all. Therefore, this paper will estimate different theories that attempt to lay bare truth about the mind. Additionally, various criticisms aimed against these theories will be reviewed.

Physicalism theory, which is also referred to as the reductive materialism, asserts that mind is correlated to physical events. For instance, ‘mental pain’ is presumably one perfect example that depicts mind’s physical nature. Physicalism argues that identity exists between ‘types.’ Its supporters argue that every aspect in this world is a subject of the physical nature. It exists as one substance that represents some form of monism. Some scholars are of the view that everything, including the brain, originates from the physical nature. However, some criticisms concerning the theory have come up from different scholars. For instance, revisionary materials, and materialism are characters that make many scholars doubt whether there is scientific proof of mind as a physical entity. Categorization of demonic possession as a form of ‘pain’ scatters some doubts of whether mind is physical.

The term pluralism is highly critical to philosophers and its meaning can easily be translated into “doctrine and multiplicity.” Therefore, this theory is the exact opposite of monism as well as dualism. Pluralism theory of mind can be interpreted in different ways. In metaphysics, the theory asserts that reality exists in multifaceted ways unlike in realism theory where it exists in one form. Pluralism refers to ways, modes, as well as kinds of being. This theory is of the view that mind interprets things in different ways. However, there are a number of criticisms pertaining to the pluralism theory. It is a theory that exists and represents certain level of inequality. Unlike monism, pluralism asserts that mind is a substance which deems thing in a multifaceted manner. This contradicts the earlier affirmation of mind as a physical entity.

Criticism is another theory that has been developed by philosophers to expound more on what mind is. It is also referred to as the ‘theory of mind.’ Many scholars view it as a philosophical interpretation that enhances cognitive psychology. Criticism theory is based on the folk psychology. At this juncture, each person holds his own folk hypothesis. He lives as if other people do not have observable features such as the beliefs, desires, and intentions. The made hypothesis are supposed to be the same. However, many philosophers rely on the theoretical conjectures that are found in science. Therefore, criticism theory starts being developed right at the early stages of life. As a person grows, he becomes considerate by elaborating more on the theory. Criticism theory holds some assumptions concerning the mind state. The theory asserts that behavior of human beings is deemed as brain’s inferential structure that has some sort of internal language.

Mind controls the whole body and is its very essential part. However, from generation to generation, mind has brought in a lot of contradictions of whether it exists in physical or in mental form. Physicists argue that mind is physical due to the fact it feels “pain”. On the other side, there is another bunch of philosophers who affirm that mind exists only in virtual world. They base their arguments on the fact that mind is a neurotransmission that exists in the brain, which is the physical object. Other philosophers assert that monism is another theory that gives its view of the mind. The theory states that mind is a factor that can function only in a specific way or manner. According to monism, there is no chance that mind will be able to function in multifaceted way. Dualism is one more theory that tries to explain the state of mind. However, under this theory, it is considered to function in different ways. Philosophers of this theory argue that mind exists in a space of limited options.

A number of theories have come up over time in the effort to explain what really brain is. However, each of these theories has its own controversies or criticism. Therefore, question relating to what mind is remains unanswered. There are those who strongly hold that mind exists in physical form while others prove that it is only a virtual entity (Lycan 45). Therefore, understanding of the state of mind depends on the argument presentation of these different philosophers.

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