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Mind-Body Philosophy
Many people have heard the term “mind-body philosophy” used to describe the relationship between physical wellness and mental wellbeing. But mind-body philosophy in its truest form is so much more. It’s a philosophical inquiry that has engaged great minds for centuries, going far beyond the simple idea of a physical mind-body connection, and seeking answers for some of the most complex questions of human existence.
The question of consciousness has mystified humanity for millennia. Even those of us who do not specialize in philosophy or science may be prompted to examine these all-consuming mysteries, asking questions like: how does the three pounds of gray matter in each of our skulls creates all the subjective experiences of our lives every single day, and define the experiences we call reality?
We know it is the mind that allows us to witness and process the changes at every stage of life—and question them. But how does it work? And how much of our existence is defined by our physical substance versus our mental reality? Is the mind part of the body? Or could the body be part of the mind? And if they are separate, what is it that allows them to work together so seamlessly? These questions and more comprise the puzzle known as the mind-body problem.
In Mind-Body Philosophy, Professor Patrick Grim of the State University of New York at Stony Brook leads an intellectually exhilarating tour through questions and theories addressing one of life’s greatest mysteries. These 24 lectures address enduring mysteries through the lenses of both philosophy and its offspring, science. You will learn how some of the greatest thinkers have addressed and attempted to solve the mind-body problem. But you won’t just be a spectator; Dr. Grim thoroughly engages with the questions from all sides and encourages you to come to your own conclusions.
With an easygoing conversational manner, a contagious passion for his subject—and supported by illustrations, infographics, brain scans, videos, demonstrations, and on-screen text—Dr. Grim breaks down even the most complex theories into easily accessible parts. He guides you through a multidisciplinary search for truth using multiple philosophical lenses as well as neuroscience, mathematics, psychology, metaphysics, theology, and more.
As you look into the 20th century and beyond, you will examine how the fields of psychology and neuroscience have contributed to the discussion. Through the lens of modern thought, you will look at: How the physical body affects the mind, although we usually think of the mind “being in charge of” the body. How the fields of psychology and neuroscience have contributed to the mind-body discussion and what solutions each has to offer. How dreams, hallucinations, and experiences under anesthesia help us better understand consciousness. How we create memories and explore the relationship between memories and the concept of self. How the latest research on the complex relationships between mind, body, and emotions reveals surprising conclusions about the role of emotions in our lives and thoughts. How the exciting recent discoveries of neuroscience relate to our perceptions of the world. How binding in the brain could relate to consciousness and the mind-body problem.
In the early 20th century, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and mathematician Alan Turing both asked the question: “Is it possible for machines to think?” While Wittgenstein examined the role of language, Turing focused on machines and their prospects for computation. All contemporary computers—along with the fields of artificial intelligence and computational neural networks—trace their history back to Turing’s vision. Computers now exist everywhere in our daily lives. But can they “think?” Dr. Grim presents many of the theories that attempt to answer this question, including: Wittgenstein’s theories addressing the brain and language; The Turing test, which asks whether or not we could build a machine that would be indistinguishable from a human under specific conditions; Why some of the earliest developers of Artificial Intelligence believed they had solved the mind-body problem, and where they went wrong; Whether or not we can now claim to have intelligent machines, given that some computer programs can teach themselves new information; What computer science and information theory have taught us about the mind, intelligence, and consciousness.
InMind-Body Philosophy, Dr. Grim provides exciting analyses via thought experiments—mental exercises philosophers and scientists use to learn about the world around them. From Plato to Einstein, great thinkers in a variety of disciplines have used thought experiments to validate disparate theories. Dr. Grim also encourages us to develop our own thought experiments and, in a humorous but well-accepted philosophical line of inquiry, he suggests we consider . . . zombies. After all, zombies are just like us ...
The question of consciousness has mystified humanity for millennia. Even those of us who do not specialize in philosophy or science may be prompted to examine these all-consuming mysteries, asking questions like: how does the three pounds of gray matter in each of our skulls creates all the subjective experiences of our lives every single day, and define the experiences we call reality?
We know it is the mind that allows us to witness and process the changes at every stage of life—and question them. But how does it work? And how much of our existence is defined by our physical substance versus our mental reality? Is the mind part of the body? Or could the body be part of the mind? And if they are separate, what is it that allows them to work together so seamlessly? These questions and more comprise the puzzle known as the mind-body problem.
In Mind-Body Philosophy, Professor Patrick Grim of the State University of New York at Stony Brook leads an intellectually exhilarating tour through questions and theories addressing one of life’s greatest mysteries. These 24 lectures address enduring mysteries through the lenses of both philosophy and its offspring, science. You will learn how some of the greatest thinkers have addressed and attempted to solve the mind-body problem. But you won’t just be a spectator; Dr. Grim thoroughly engages with the questions from all sides and encourages you to come to your own conclusions.
With an easygoing conversational manner, a contagious passion for his subject—and supported by illustrations, infographics, brain scans, videos, demonstrations, and on-screen text—Dr. Grim breaks down even the most complex theories into easily accessible parts. He guides you through a multidisciplinary search for truth using multiple philosophical lenses as well as neuroscience, mathematics, psychology, metaphysics, theology, and more.
As you look into the 20th century and beyond, you will examine how the fields of psychology and neuroscience have contributed to the discussion. Through the lens of modern thought, you will look at: How the physical body affects the mind, although we usually think of the mind “being in charge of” the body. How the fields of psychology and neuroscience have contributed to the mind-body discussion and what solutions each has to offer. How dreams, hallucinations, and experiences under anesthesia help us better understand consciousness. How we create memories and explore the relationship between memories and the concept of self. How the latest research on the complex relationships between mind, body, and emotions reveals surprising conclusions about the role of emotions in our lives and thoughts. How the exciting recent discoveries of neuroscience relate to our perceptions of the world. How binding in the brain could relate to consciousness and the mind-body problem.
In the early 20th century, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and mathematician Alan Turing both asked the question: “Is it possible for machines to think?” While Wittgenstein examined the role of language, Turing focused on machines and their prospects for computation. All contemporary computers—along with the fields of artificial intelligence and computational neural networks—trace their history back to Turing’s vision. Computers now exist everywhere in our daily lives. But can they “think?” Dr. Grim presents many of the theories that attempt to answer this question, including: Wittgenstein’s theories addressing the brain and language; The Turing test, which asks whether or not we could build a machine that would be indistinguishable from a human under specific conditions; Why some of the earliest developers of Artificial Intelligence believed they had solved the mind-body problem, and where they went wrong; Whether or not we can now claim to have intelligent machines, given that some computer programs can teach themselves new information; What computer science and information theory have taught us about the mind, intelligence, and consciousness.
InMind-Body Philosophy, Dr. Grim provides exciting analyses via thought experiments—mental exercises philosophers and scientists use to learn about the world around them. From Plato to Einstein, great thinkers in a variety of disciplines have used thought experiments to validate disparate theories. Dr. Grim also encourages us to develop our own thought experiments and, in a humorous but well-accepted philosophical line of inquiry, he suggests we consider . . . zombies. After all, zombies are just like us ...
12 pages, Audio CD
Published January 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Grim
72 books36 followersDr. Patrick Grim is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
He graduated with highest honors in anthropology and philosophy from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He was named a Fulbright Fellow to the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, from which he earned his B.Phil. He earned his Ph.D. from Boston University.
Professor Grim is the recipient of several honors and awards. In addition to being named SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Dr. Grim has been awarded the President and Chancellor’s awards for excellence in teaching and was elected to the Academy of Teachers and Scholars. The Weinberg Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan in 2006, Professor Grim has also held visiting fellowships at the Center for Complex Systems at Michigan and at the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.
Professor Grim, author of The Incomplete Universe: Totality, Knowledge, and Truth; coauthor of The Philosophical Computer: Exploratory Essays in Philosophical Computer Modeling; and editor of the forthcoming Mind and Consciousness: 5 Questions, is widely published in scholarly journals. He is the founder and coeditor of 25 volumes of The Philosopher’s Annual, an anthology of the best articles published in philosophy each year.
He graduated with highest honors in anthropology and philosophy from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He was named a Fulbright Fellow to the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, from which he earned his B.Phil. He earned his Ph.D. from Boston University.
Professor Grim is the recipient of several honors and awards. In addition to being named SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Dr. Grim has been awarded the President and Chancellor’s awards for excellence in teaching and was elected to the Academy of Teachers and Scholars. The Weinberg Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan in 2006, Professor Grim has also held visiting fellowships at the Center for Complex Systems at Michigan and at the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.
Professor Grim, author of The Incomplete Universe: Totality, Knowledge, and Truth; coauthor of The Philosophical Computer: Exploratory Essays in Philosophical Computer Modeling; and editor of the forthcoming Mind and Consciousness: 5 Questions, is widely published in scholarly journals. He is the founder and coeditor of 25 volumes of The Philosopher’s Annual, an anthology of the best articles published in philosophy each year.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2018
A good solid (although fairly introductory) overview of the history and current issues in understanding the mind and consciousness. This wasn't deeply technical or philosophical. It touched on all the major views throughout history, and presented some helpful thought experiments and research experiments (some I hadn't heard before). It got me thinking, which is always dangerous.
September 1, 2018
This audiobook has a misleading title. This book is about consciousness and does delve into some interesting topics on how the mind works with or without the body, but ultimately, this is a philosophical discussion on what consciousness is and how we would measure it. It is an interesting conversation, but not exactly why I selected this audiobook.
April 23, 2021
a superfast overview of various mind/body questions, lots of breadth, not a lot of depth
June 11, 2018
Grim is very well spoken and does an amazing job of keeping the lectures interesting. The full course was around 12 hours long, but that time just flew by because he is so interesting to listen to.
May 23, 2019
This is a series of 24 lectures (about 11 hours total listening time) looking a the question of consciousness through scientific and philosophical traditions/methods.
Unlike other Great Courses that I could play while doing something else, this one was challenging enough that it demanded my full attention. Dr. Grim moves through the lectures at a brisk pace and assumes a working knowledge of basics in psychology, philosophy, biology, history, and other disciplines.
Some lecture titles (picked at random among the 24) are:
Using the Body to Shape the Mind
History of the Soul
Altered States of Consciousness
Rival Psychologies of the Mind
The Enigma of Free Will
Can a Machine Have Consciousness?
A Guided Tour of the Brain
Thought Experiments against Materialism
Unlike other Great Courses that I could play while doing something else, this one was challenging enough that it demanded my full attention. Dr. Grim moves through the lectures at a brisk pace and assumes a working knowledge of basics in psychology, philosophy, biology, history, and other disciplines.
Some lecture titles (picked at random among the 24) are:
Using the Body to Shape the Mind
History of the Soul
Altered States of Consciousness
Rival Psychologies of the Mind
The Enigma of Free Will
Can a Machine Have Consciousness?
A Guided Tour of the Brain
Thought Experiments against Materialism
April 12, 2019
I listened to the audio version of the lecture series.
I found the lectures to be challenging at times, but very interesting. It would help to have some background in philosophy and brain biology before listening to this series, but not absolutely necessary.
The series is available for borrowing on Hoopla.
I found the lectures to be challenging at times, but very interesting. It would help to have some background in philosophy and brain biology before listening to this series, but not absolutely necessary.
The series is available for borrowing on Hoopla.
July 7, 2019
This covers a great gamut of thinkers. I think Grim does a fair service to counter acting the prevalent materialist paradigm by providing non-dual points of view. There are a number of interesting thought experiments and historical account of research in this area. Some times quite challenging to process and at times quite whimsical in its metaphors.
abandoned
July 16, 2020I listened to 5 of 24 lectures. I liked the first lectures on what the Mind-Body problem is and the basic categories of philosophies, but began to lose interest as it went deeper into the history. I plan to skim through a pdf of the course to see what may interest me and may revisit the audio of the lectures later.
March 26, 2021
Interesting and thought proviking
July 11, 2024
This isn't as hokey as it sounds. It's not West Coast yogic pseudo-science, but researched theories on the relationship between mind and body.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews