Are mental experiences physical events?

[Ardipithecus]

Originally Posted by Dunemeister

On one level yes, but the mental cannot be reduced to the physical

It is not a matter of "reducing" the mental to the physical. The mental is a product of neuronal circuits of the brain. The brain generates all thought, perceives all incoming data, translates symbolic language into usable data. Our self-awarenss, our identity, our personality structure are all a product of billions of neurons in billions of circuits with perhaps a trillion synaptic junctions to dendrites. It is complex but we have imaged thought and mental states with fMRI, PET Scannin, TCMI, TDI and other sophisticated ways to take pictures of brain productions.

Mental function is a product of brain circuits. I don't use the term "reduced to matter." Everything is reduced to matter or energy.

A great symphony is not reduced to the brilliant composer. But the symphony is a product of the brain of the composer.

Why do people consider attributing mental function to the physical brain "reduction?" Everything that we know exists is composed of particles of energy. Matter itself is composed of bound forms of energy.

There is no evidence of mind arising separate from the body and brain. Mental ceases when the brain dies.

Ardi

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Ardipithecus

It is not a matter of "reducing" the mental to the physical. The mental is a product of neuronal circuits of the brain.

Then you are addressing it as a "product" of something else, and hence not touching upon its nature.

[MSizer]

The mind and all it's components are the actions of the brain. If you consider an action physical (I do) then yes, all mental things are purely physical. The apparent immaterial nature of thought is illusory. If someone shoots you in the head and you loose your right temporal lobe, you no longer can orient yourself properly, you'll probably by schizo, all these things are just what the brain does, and they are material.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Then you are addressing it as a "product" of something else, and hence not touching upon its nature.

Its nature is physical.

[MSizer]

Asking whether a thought is physical is like asking whether walking is physical. It's a controlled action of a system of body parts working together. The result is that stuff moves and we sense it. Same with thoughts. Electricity builds up, chemicals bridge synaptic gaps, and we sense it. Nothing different between a thought and kicking someone in the walnuts. Each involves elctrical potential, chemicals moving, physical motions, and ensuing sensations.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by atotalstranger

Its nature is physical.

Except, of course, where it is ideal in nature?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by MSizer

The mind and all it's components are the actions of the brain. If you consider an action physical (I do) then yes, all mental things are purely physical. The apparent immaterial nature of thought is illusory. If someone shoots you in the head and you loose your right temporal lobe, you no longer can orient yourself properly, you'll probably by schizo, all these things are just what the brain does, and they are material.

And what is the nature of an illusion?

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Except, of course, where it is ideal in nature?

The nature of "ideal" is physical too.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by atotalstranger

The nature of "ideal" is physical too.

Except, of course, where it's ideal.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Except, of course, where it's ideal.

It's turtles all the way down.