- The mind is the product of the brain; and
- The brain is the product of the mind
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Mind Your Brain
Of these two statements:
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6 comments:
Upon casual glance, I'd side toward the former, not the latter. However, to be more thorough, define those two terms (mind; brain) and let's discuss the matter further, shall we?
Sincerely,
Adam Haman
This is not the best place to engage in a discussion of such a complicated subject. I've tried it here and on other blogs before -- it just doesn't work. Suffice it to say that in such matters I place myself in the tradition of Aristotle, Wittgenstein, Ryle, Kenny, and Szasz -- contra materialism and dualism. "Mind" is a verb, not a noun -- it's something we do, not something we have -- and a person is more than the sum of his parts. When a human being acts (Misesian sense), he actualizes the potentialities of his brain.
If you're using "mind" as a verb, then I think you're exactly right. Determinism is pseudo-scientific nonsense. Dualism is mystic nonsense.
Adam Haman
PS. I assume you refer to "Kenny" of South Park. That little guy ROCKS as a philosopher!
Adam, we seem to be on the same wavelength. As much as I like South Park Kenny, I was referring to Anthony Kenny, the distinguished philosopher of Aristotle, Aquinas, and Wittgenstein.
Two good Kennys, that's fer sure. By the by, my wife Jennifer and I really enjoyed chatting with you (and hearing you speak) at the FFF conference earlier this month.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Adam Haman
Adam, same here. It was a pleasure. I hope our paths cross before long.
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