Philosophy
Introduction
The mind-body problem, which indicates a relation of mind with the body, is considered as a main issue in the philosophy of mind. In this paper, the perspectives of dualism and physicalism are described in relation to the reduction of the mind to brain.
Thesis Statement
“Though it seems we have a mind distinct from body, in the end we can just reduce mind to brain”.
Explanation
The mind can be reduced to brain. In this regard the perspectives of the dualists are worth considering. The Dualists dealing with the philosophy of mind consider that there is exists difference between the mind and the brain. They also emphasize that the mind and brain are not same, and the mind cannot be considered as a product of brain. Further, they describe that the phenomena associated with the mental capability is the non-physical attribute of the physical substance. For example, consciousness represents the non-physical attribute of the physical substance. But, the mental temperament, episodes and the states are the brain states, so we can just reduce the mind to the brain.
However, if physicalism is considered then the physicalists have regarded the mind as physical thing, which mean that mind is correctly attributed to the brain and the activities of brain as they have same properties. In this regard, they have presented the Type Identity Theory, which describes that the particular states of the mind are similar to the particular physical states of brain. But, the mind does not have resemblance to the brain, as we can speak of the right and left half of brain, but we cannot speak of the pieces of the joy and headache, half or full desire and belief, etc, as they do not make any sense. But, the truth associated with the states of brain can also be considered as a truth of the mind because mind also has states. Hence, in the end, just the reduction of mind to the brain is possible.
But, the divisibility of the mind and brain can be challenged as the consciousness is divisible because the consciousness is associated with the material substance. But, the fact is that the consciousness is not divisible because accepting the distension in the consciousness act will pave the way to unlimited regress. Furthermore, the divisibility of the brain and body and the indivisibility of the mind clearly describe the difference in mind and body and mind and brain. Moreover, mind is regarded as the consciousness of the individuality. The brain, however, belongs to an individual, but this is not the case with the mind, which is structured through several factors, such as social influence, and language of people, etc. The mind starts its function whenever there is consciousness of the individuality, which just offers the reduction of mind to the brain.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, it seems that the mind differs from the brain, but it is possible to reduce the mind to brain because mind cannot be regarded as the product of the brain, but the mental episodes, temperament, and the states can be regarded as the states of brain. In this regard, the divisibility of the brain and the indivisibility of mind clearly indicate that there is a difference between mind and it is just possible to reduce the mind to the brain. Also, the brain meant for an individual but the mind is influenced by many factors that just pave the way to the reduction of mind to the brain.
