Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: The Body as a Vehicle for the Mind

Rabbi Steinsaltz delves into the relationship between the mind and the body. He compares it to the relationship between a fiddler and a fiddle. Arguing that the brain is the mechanical "vehicle" that does the thinking associated with the mind, the Rabbi suggests that the brain and mind are interdependent, with neither functioning fully without the other.

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[AnduinX]

I do believe in mind/brain separation, not only due to personal experience, but I also think it logically fits all of the information we have better than the physicalist model. Mind/brain duality works with neuroscience, as well as near death experiences, and it has no problem with medical mysteries such as terminal lucidity and severe hydrocephalus, where people have been able to think and reason with barely any functioning brain. It unifies the field of conscious research.

[lourak]

The Rabbi is working hard to suggest body-mind duality, but I don't hear more than a mere unsupported assertion.  Did I miss something?

[MitzvaMobile]

Beggrs and prayers, Is the Rabbi's book on Rav NAchmans Stories, a must read,

[DocIrish100]

I believe that the Rabbi's assertion that the body/brain is merely the vehicle of consciousness (mind) is absolutely correct. While science has effectively demonstrated that consciousness is not causal with respect to most mental operations (which Rabbi Steinsaltz's talk seems to acknowledge), our neshama is unquestionably rooted in the Divine. Escaping mechanical brain-mind is a major goal of our practice. JMHO as a beinoni (rasha?).

[pedlin2]

can you smell waffles? it's either that or shit. how can some1 take 10 mins to say the mind controls your body and your body is physical.

[dokaflokajoe]

The mechanics and computers perform just like our body's only because WE are the ones who created them, so of course there would be extreme similarities.  derp? derp.