A Brain Takes Up Room
A brain takes up room. But my mental states don't take up space: no matter how many worries I have, I don't need a bigger house to accommodate them all. As a result, my mental states are not the same as my brain states.
Physicalism: The View that Everything is Physical
Physicalism is a philosophical and scientific view that everything is physical. The argument and relationship between mental state and brain state will be the center of the article. The debate will be aimed towards Physicalists, who believe that mental state fills space and is similar to brain state. Otto Neurath founded Physicalism, a philosophy connected to the concept of materialism. Millions of people across the world contemplate that human brain requires more space to reason and solve their daily problems. The perception of the society that mental state is identical to brain state is wrong and not scientifically proven. The current paper argues that mental state is not identical to brain state and does not require any space to think. The essay reviews various literatures on Physicalism and dualism. Many research have been done to establish and ascertain the relationship between mental and brain state. Philosophy of mind studies the state of mind including the mental events, functions, consciences, mind ontology, thoughts and a relationship between the body and mind. The thesis states that everything is supervenes based on the physical state. The existence of things is established in the physical state and is considered as a metaphysical thesis. The Greek philosophers attributed to the philosophy that everything is water. However, philosophers such as Berkeley based their idealism that everything is mental. The relationship between the states of the brain and mental has remained an endless controversy among many scholars. The mind of a human being is matter and exists in the physical state. However, the mental state is a psychological aspect and do not take space thus making it nonidentical with the brain’s states. Minds are not materials and do not take any interplanetary since they are considered as space and time, therefore, does not need more prominent vacuum to think.
The Debate on the Correlation Between Mental State and Mind
The debate on the correlation between mental state and mind has remained an endless debate for many decades. There is a disagreement between dualists and Physicalists on the relationship between the psychological state and body. Dualists have researched for decades, but the questions remain among many people. There are a significant difference and similarities between the brain and mental state (Francescotti and Robert 89). The matter has been defined as any physical substance which occupies space and has mass. Besides, matter does not include mind and spirit; therefore, distinctly disregard the mental state. Mental states are not identical with the state of the brain because the brain is a substance which occupies space while the mind does not (Descartes 102).
Both the Mind and Brain are Composed of Different Substances
Both the mind and brain are compost of different substances. The mind thinks and does not attribute to any physical object as argued by Physicalists. Substance dualists have supported the difference between mind and body in various ways. However, both the mind and body affect one another (Gennaro and Rocco 89). The mental state controls the brain and entire body by instructing in on what to do. Mental states are fundamental attributes of the brain state thus ascertaining the fact that mental states are not materialistic (Neurath 234). Human consciousness does not occupy any space and is a non-physical propriety of the brain state which is physical. Contrary, some philosophers and dualist believe that mental states are disposition and episodes of the brain state. Mental states are found within the brain as non-existence matter with consciousness (Descartes 109).
Immaterial Substances do not Occupy any Space
Immaterial substances do not occupy any space. Descartes argued that the existence of brain is spatial while the essences of mental state are thoughts. Human beings and other animals perceive various things through the psychological state of mind and can think of millions of impressions in mind without necessarily creating bigger space for ideas (Descartes 119). The mental state is involved in sensation and helps human beings to reason up before taking any action. Animals and human beings are able to take action after stimulation. For instance, the brain will inform the body that is time to look for food whenever one is hungry. The stimulation is able to alert an individual to escape when there is danger and can think of so many things in seconds at the same time (Chakraborty and Alpana 123).
Physicalism: The View that Everything is Physical
The Physicalism concept ascertains that everything in the universe conforms to a physical state. Similarly, Physicalists do not just justify their findings that the entire universe and everything in it is physical. Moreover, they have included the psychological, moral and social nature as physical or supervened on the physical state (Descartes 89). Dualism arguments over mental state and body are essential and explain the difference between the two concepts (Chakraborty and Alpana 123). Many people substantially agree with dualism and disregard Physicalism thesis concerning the relationship between mind and body. Physicalism based on consciousness is a metaphysical view which argues that the entire mental phenomenon is based on physical aspects and necessitated by the physical phenomena. The relationship between psychological and physical state is greatly supported by the philosophy of Physicalism contrary to dualism.
Human Bodies and the Brain are Made Up of Atoms and Occupy Space
Human bodies and the brain are made up of atoms and occupy space. The physical aspect of human anatomy and mind coordinates with the mental state to operate and function properly (Daddesio and Thomas 56). Bodies compost matter while mental states are the center of consciousness and have no physical property. The difference between the brain and mental state is based on materialism which asserts that substances are made up of matter and occupy space (Neurath 234). According to Descartes, the human body or brain is connected to mental states. The mental state enables human beings to exist in their conscious states and do not require matter but cognizant mind. Dualism states that the body or brain is different from mental states and can only coordinate together. The immaterial mental state pre-exist the brain (Descartes 334)
No Matter How Many Worries, Thoughts Do Not Require Space
No matter how many worries a person may have, the thought does not need any space in mind. Thoughts are matter and cannot be touched and lack density. Mental state is just thoughts caused by a behavioral response from the environment (Dror, Itiel and Harnad 189). The thoughts are sensations and cannot occupy any space. Therefore, people don’t need bigger space to consider more. However, scientists have proven that the brain capacity determines the intelligent quotient of animals. Mental states are features of the brain and occupy no space as argued by Physicalism thoughts (Neurath 214).
Space as Subjective and Ideal: Immanuel Kant
According to Immanuel Kant (1770), space is not real. He argues that is not an objective and factual but subjective and ideal. Kant (1770) demonstrated that the vacuum originates from human mind due to the perception that everything coordinates externally as supported by Physicalism philosophy. Space and time are imperceptible and considered inert. The existence of thoughts is dependent on mental which are the brain. The thoughts originate from the brain and do not require any space to exist. Thoughts are intuitions and depend on the perception of everything that surrounds the man. Mental state is a representation of what people think or have access to. The mental state instigates from the brain after being perceived through thoughts or sights (Dror, Itiel and Harnad 189).
Too Much Thought Requires Time to Relax, Not Space
The assertion by the Physicalists that mental states are identical to physical state is not realistic. Human beings may deliberate much contemplation, and the brain capacity will never be filled up. Rational feelings are based on psychological perspectives and do not take any space whatsoever (Eckert and Maureen 59). Similarly, the philosophical theories further argued that there is a relation between the state of the mind and supervenience. Supervenience is a form of Physicalism which asserts that mental truths are prior deducible and away from the totality of physical facts. The supervenience based on posterior Physicalism argues that mental truths are posterior and empirically necessitated by an entirety of the physical truths (Eckert and Maureen 67).
The Relationship Between the Body and Mind
Majority of modern philosophers of mind may have a deductive or non-reductive thought on Physicalism notion by asserting that the brain is not separated from the body. The brain has not been considered a different substance and all mental supervene the physical property. The relationship between the body and mind is based on stimuli and sensory organs (Kant, Walford, and Meerbote 123). Environmental and internal factors influence the state of mind leading to specific thoughts. The changes in the mental states are as a result of stimuli from the surroundings which may cause a feeling of sensations that is either pleasant or unpleasant. For instance, a lady may have a desire for chocolate and will move towards supermarket to purchase the chocolate (Kant, Walford, and Meerbote). The thoughts in the lady’s mind will never occupy any space since thoughts are psychological. The desires, beliefs, and attitudes cause brain neurons to contract and relax (Morris and Dolores 123).
Mental States do not Require Cosmological Space
However, it is not possible to imagine things without space and time thereby supporting the argument by Physicalism ideology. People commonly think and perceive things based on space and time, but mental does not require any cosmos. People do not perceive space and time without imagining objects and scenarios. Representation of many things in the brain makes human beings believe that their mind is filled-up and needs more cosmic. The situations occur because people cannot perceive objects without space and time as argued by (Kant 318).
Thoughts Require Time to Relax, Not Space
The idea that too much thought requires time to relax is not related to the vacuum in the brain but relaxation. Most studies have found that human beings are more productive after taking a break, especially when involving in activities related to mind work such as freelancing or any office work which requires intelligence work and not physical activity (Descartes 29). The productivity is related to the pre-occupation of much time at drudgery. The brain needs more time to relax and not space for thoughts as perceived by most people. The feelings are related to intuition and anecdote. Human physiological processes do not stop regardless of how long people relax. There is no correlation between brain space and mental state as asserted by Physicalists. Substance dualism states that there is no correlation between mental state and body. The mental state is immaterial and cannot occupy any apace (Morris and Dolores 123).
The Functionality of the Brain and Mental State
Mental states enable human beings and other animals to engage in various activities caused by human behavior and response. A psychological state allows a disposition which makes people behave in specific ways. Mental states compose of consciousness which is psychologically based and physiologically monitor the brain (Walter and Sven). Human psychology leads to different conscious such as perception, sensation, and other memories. Dualism philosophy may be correct to ascertain that minds are non-physical states by psychological processes (Dror et al 108). Every individual has his or her mental and it is, therefore, impossible to think for someone, but one may give other their cognizance concerning specific issues. Physical states allow people to have access to what exists and can be touched thereby ascertaining the difference between mind and brain. Brains occupy space while mental states are thoughts (Eckert and Maureen 213).
The Distinction Between Mind and Body
Proper functionality of the brain is necessary for the mental state to exist. The psychological state cannot exist without the mind. Mental state or consciousness can be affected by many factors such as drugs and alcohol. Mental states are meant for information processing and cannot be seen, touched, or weighed. A psychological state enables human beings to think independently and coherently. Epiphenomenalism in the brain is important shows how mental states relate to the body or mind. Mental states are just conditions such as thinking, beliefs, memories, and sensation (Descartes 301).
Descartes: Mind and Body as Distinct Things
Descartes argued that mind and body are two distinct things. He stipulated that the human mind is made up conscious while the physical brain is made up of matter. According to Descartes, the existence of brain is extended to matter which occupies space while the human mental state is nothing rather than an activity involving thinking. The brain is purely material and has weight, shape, and occupies specific space. The two substances are not identical but coordinate together for efficient functionality. Mental state is a nonmaterial identity and cannot be included in physical materials (Descartes 324).
Mental State and Properties are Different from Brain State
Mental state and properties are not identical to brain state which is physical. Mental state is not divisible like the brain and cannot occupy any space. The human brain may be exposed to an extreme and unfavorable temperature causing it to change. The temperature of the brain keeps changing thereby making it a physical and divisible property. However, psychological states are physically not divisible but can be identified with the physical state of mind depending on the condition. According to Leibniz’s principle, identical things should be indiscernible (Rodríguez-Pereyra 245). Brain states have spatial location in the brain, therefore making them not identical with the brain state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mental states are not identical with brain states. Psychological states, unlike the brain, do not occupy any space and cannot be considered as matter. The suggestions for improvement should focus on more studies to ascertain the relationship between mental and brain state. The mental state is not identical to the brain as argued by Physicalists because the mental state is not materialistic and has no atoms or density. The brain has atoms, shape, and density occupying a space while the mind or mental state is a consciousness based on sensation, feelings, worries, beliefs, and memories. The psychological state does not require more prominent space to think more but needs the brain to relax its neurons for effective functionality.
Works Cited
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Dror, Itiel E, and Stevan R. Harnad. Cognition Distributed: How Cognitive Technology Extends Our Minds. John Benjamins, 2008.
Eckert, Maureen. Theories of Mind: An Introductory Reader. Rowman & Littlefield, 2006.
Francescotti, Robert. Physicalism and the Mind, 2014. Internet resource.
Gennaro, Rocco J. Mind and Brain: A Dialogue on the Mind-Body Problem. Hackett Publishing, 1996.
Kant, Immanuel, David Walford, and Ralf Meerbote. Theoretical Philosophy, 1755-1770. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Kant, Immanuel. Kant's Inaugural Dissertation of 1770. Kessinger Pub, 2007.
Morris, Dolores G. Physicalism, Dualism and the Mind-Body Problem. Umi Dissertatio, 2012.
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Rodríguez-Pereyra, Gonzalo. Leibniz's Principle of Identity of Indiscernibles. Oxford UP, 2014.
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