# What is the mind/consciousness? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 22, 2001, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788 "2001-10-22T02:37:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/1 "2001-10-22T02:37:47Z")
Is it the sum of stored information and experiences, or the interpretation of the same, or does the mind exist apart from the physical brain? ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/2 "2001-10-22T02:41:55Z")
There is an incontestable, irrefutable, and absolute answer to this question. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/3 "2001-10-22T02:46:55Z")
For an extremely interesting approach (and some plausible answers) to this question, please read Julian Jaynes’ book; “The Origins of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind” ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/4 "2001-10-22T03:25:09Z")
I think I will. That sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/5 "2001-10-22T03:42:35Z")
Also try “How Natives Think” by Lucien Levy-Bruhl. First published in 1926; it’s a fascinating look at the mind in cultures that are relatively untainted by modern thought processes. It’s even [still in print](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0405121040/qid=1003721315/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_10_2/107-5690103-6129322) once in a while ! ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/6 "2001-10-22T03:54:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cuckoorex \* > \*\* …does the mind exist apart from the physical brain? \*\* Whoa. I’ll take “beyond the scope of General Questions” for $1,000, Alex." Off to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/7 "2001-10-22T04:18:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chickenhead \* > \*\*I think I will. That sounds interesting. \*\* Although he is less than credible in some circles, I can guarantee that you will never look at the Bible, schizophrenia, hypnotism, religion, UFO’s or the basic operation of your own brain and mind once you have read Jaynes’ book. A sampling of headers in the first chapter: Consciousness Not A Copy of Experience Consciousness Not Necessary for Concepts Consciousness Not Necessary for Learning Consciousness Not Necessary for Thinking Consciousness Not Necessary for Reason He makes exceptionally well though out cases for each one of these seemingly outlandish claims. And that’s just the first chapter in this incredible tome. ---
**Author:** ![Caracticus\_Potts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bcef8e/32.png) [@Caracticus\_Potts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caracticus_Potts)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-mind-consciousness/88788/8 "2001-10-22T04:34:16Z")
Well, just as an opinion with no links to back it up. I think the consciousness is separate from the brain, much like RAM is separate from the hard drive. They use each other but they exist without each other.