Questions About How the Mind Works

by Steven Pinker (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (1)

What is the difference the brain or the mind and why do some think it is the same thing??

Daniel The brain is the organ that appears to give rise to the mind. They are not the same thing, much as a musical instrument is not the same thing as a son…moreThe brain is the organ that appears to give rise to the mind. They are not the same thing, much as a musical instrument is not the same thing as a song played on it. Perhaps by "same thing" you mean why do some people think the mind is nothing more than an epiphenomenon of the brain. That is, why do some people believe the mind has no additional supernatural (or metaphysical) component? The answer is that no scientific study of the mind suggests the brain is insufficient to account for it. See also: Mind–body problem and philosophy of mind.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

Is knowledge of Geometric Optics required to understand chapter 4? If not, is there anything special required and how can I learn it?

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