Definitional Difference between "Brain" and "Mind" - Free Report

The discussions concerning the distinction between brain and mind have been in existence ever since the days of Aristotle. On the one hand, the great thinkers and Aristotle considered the mind as some sort of unadulterated vibrating energy. On the other hand, the brain has always taken the physical and biological indicators of the mind. A critical examination of the brain and mind to understand their underlying differences is essential, particularly in the study of neuroscience and self-consciousness. Therefore, the paper dissects the definitional differences between the brain and mind, particularly those of physicality and materialism, those presented in dualism and treatment differences.

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The fundamental difference between the brain and the mind lies in their physicality. Biological science defines the brain as the organ located in the upper shell of the head. Both humans and animals have brains with different compositions and structures. The neurons and neural stem cells, a web of blood vessels and glial cells, joins together to form the human brain (Smart 1). Therefore, the brain serves as a physical organ that serves numerous coordination activities in the body. Unlike the brain, the mind is not a bodily organ. It is the establishment of faculties within the brain that deals with the cognitive and non-cognitive aspects. Thus, the mind is that imaginary section within the brain responsible for consciousness, development of imaginations, enhancing perceptions and thinking, and influencing human intelligence, judgment, communication, and memory. The non-cognitive aspects of the mind mainly concern with emotional changes and human instincts. Applying this biological definition concludes that the brain serves as the physical location, which is the residential area of the mind. In other words, the brain is the vessel housing the mind, while the mind refers to those electronic impulses leading to human thoughts and reasoning (Pandya 7). While the brain plays the pivotal roles of coordinating movements, activities within the organs, and transmission of impulses, the mind concentrates on thinking and muse at events that have happened and the upcoming schedules.

The concept of dualism offers an effective approach for distinguishing between the brain and mind. Dualism stipulates that the distinguishing feature between the two is materialism. While the brain is more of a physical body and materialistic, the mind is non-material and, in most cases, concerned with the spiritual dimension (Glannon 5). As a result, the mind entails the consciousness part of the brain. In a way, dualism takes the mind as a constitute of the brain. The mind resides within the brain and enhances perception, emotional trains, imagination, and memory. Therefore, dualism defines the mind as the processing of thoughts and reasoning.

On the one hand, the brain regulates the processes of different body parts by influencing the operations of various organs. On the other hand, the mind is responsible for the awareness and consciousness in the body. As a result, it can control whatever a person does and assign a reason for doing a particular action. Comparing the animals and humans is an excellent approach for examining the distinction between the brain and mind. Scientific studies have revealed that both animals and humans have a brain (Glannon 12). However, their mind, thus mental capacity differs. Therefore, humans can interpret and understand their environment both in scientific and general terms. They can adjust their behaviors to fit the environment because of the power of the mind. The animals can interpret their surrounding but fail to understand what happens around. Additionally, the mind, which is mainly concerned with religion, is not available in animals.

Another perspective from the aspect of dualism is that of the physical body and brain is a container that makes the activities of the mind and soul possible. The principle believes that the mind is different from the physical brain as it is the part responsible for the manifestation of different aspects of the body. The mind, together with the soul and spirit, forms the conscious part of the brain. The analogy of television is an excellent example of examining the definitional difference underlying the brain and mind. The television works by using sound waves and motion pictures. Without a television, there is no possible way for the sound waves and pictures to manifest to the viewers. The corporation of the two makes a television functional. The television in the analogy represents that brain, while the sound waves and pictures illustrate the mind. The television in the analogy is physical and materialistic, just like the brain, while the sound and motion pictures are non-material, just like the mind. The analogy clearly defines the structure and functionality differences between the brain and the mind (Block 213).

The identity theory offers a practical definitional difference between the brain and the mind. According to the identity theory, the states and processes of both the brain and mind demonstrate several identical aspects (Smart 2). Despite the similar frameworks, the identity theory affirms that the brain and mind are different in that they both take a different turn concerning the perception of things. For instance, pain or image formulation are all processes relating to the mind. The brain does not directly correlate to these processes. However, the brain facilitates the actions and functionality of the eyes and neurons, which in turn enhances the feeling of pain or the formulation of the images. According to Smart, some philosophers argue experiences that people have relates to brain processes. Nonetheless, these processes and experiences have several aspects of non-physical, non-material, or psychical properties (1). The irreducible non-physical properties of the mind are what defines the difference between the brain and the mind.

The treatment of the brain and mind offers the clinical and psychological definitions that are essential distinguishing factors. According to Pandya, a critical understanding of the structure and functionality of the brain is vital for the application of medicine and surgical treatments (9). The brain is composed of a physical part that requires different modes of treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, among others. All these treatments aim at addressing the defects caused by mechanical or chemical failures in the brain leading to poor functionalities. Just like the brain, the mind may develop several ailments that introduce cognition and personality defects. However, the modes of treatment for the illnesses of the mind tend to be different from those of the brain. Therefore, the treatments for the mind are usually psychological as opposed to those of the brain that are medical. Some of the treatments for the mind include cognitive analytic and behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, family, group, or interpersonal therapy and mentalization-based therapy, among others. A critical examination of these forms of treatment indicates that they respond to a non-materialistic or physical need, which is the primary difference between the brain and mind.

Those who believe that the brain and mind have the same definition address the inability to physically and biologically isolate the two. To them, the mind and brain are mutually inclusive, and none of the two can exist without the other. Additionally, those opposing the aspect of the brain and mind to being different assume that the brain controls the mind. However, psychology defines the mind as a social phenomenon while the brain as a natural experience (Barrett 2). Both the human brain and the mind influence the behaviors and personality of a person in different ways. Nonetheless, each of the two has a distinct impact on influencing human behaviors. Block, in the article, examines how the brain and mind operate and their roles in enhancing human consciousness and eliminating the aspect zombie attribute that would result in a person due to the lack of the two. Another clear distinction between the brain and mind is the control that they have on the body. Technically, the brain exerts commands and control over all parts of the body regardless of the situation and time. For instance, the brain commands the neurons, the lungs, and the hearts whether a person is asleep, sick, or awake. However, the mind only operates when a person is conscious (Barrett 6). Therefore, the brain and mind are different in this sense.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the brain and mind have different definitions. Biologically, the brain constitutes the muscular mass of blood vessels, neurons, and other matters found in the upper part of the skull. The mind comprises the sets of instructions that emanate from the brain. The brain facilitates the functions of the body. The interconnections established in the neurons and the nervous system of the body perform this task. Therefore, it commands different organs of the body by sending a set of defined instructions. The mind primarily involves the aspects of emotions and consciousness in a person. While the mind is a part that resides in the brain, the two are completely different.

Works Cited

Barrett, Lisa Feldman. “The future of psychology: Connecting Mind to the Brain”. Perspectives on Psychological Science 4.4 (2009): 326-339.

Block, Ned. “On a Confusion about a Function of Consciousness.” Behavioral and brain sciences 18.2 (1995): 206-218.

Glannon, Walter. “Mind-Brain Dualism in Psychiatry: Ethical Implications.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 11 (2020). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7063027/

Smart, John Jamieson Carswell. “The Mind/Brain Identity Theory.” (2000). https://stanford.library.sydney.edu.au/entries/mind-identity/

Pandya, Sunil K. “Understanding Brain, Mind, and Soul: Contributions from Neurology and Neurosurgery.” Mens sana monographs 9.1 (2011): 129.