"It's very difficult to explain exactly, i do think the brain is the engine of the body." (Orphan)

The brain is certainly the engine of the body but what controls the engine?
The nervous systems and glandular secretions regulate the physical functions but they cannot be regarded as free or morally responsible for the decisions we make. Either moral responsibility exists or it doesn't. If it doesn't morality is also an illusion because "ought implies can" (Kant). Good and evil become fictions in an amoral, mechanistic universe. Human and animal rights become human inventions in a purposeless, valueless and meaningless existence. Does that explanation correspond to the way people live?

What is YOUR answer?

"It's very difficult to explain exactly, i do think the brain is the engine of the body." (Orphan)

The brain is certainly the engine of the body but what controls the engine?
The nervous systems and glandular secretions regulate the physical functions but they cannot be regarded as free or morally responsible for the decisions we make. Either moral responsibility exists or it doesn't. If it doesn't morality is also an illusion because "ought implies can" (Kant). Good and evil become fictions in an amoral, mechanistic universe. Human and animal rights become human inventions in a purposeless, valueless and meaningless existence. Does that explanation correspond to the way people live?

I'm debating this very thing myself, as I've started reading about Neuropsychology, with the findings that people tend to reason their actions out by saying, "I did it because I was in love, or I was horney, or angery, affraid, confused, and so on." I've found that our feelings especially love is more about the chamical releases in the brain, and the firing of electro pulses amongst the neurons.

However, consiousness is a rather important factor in this equation.

I'm going to have to say this is a very large topic, as I would say not only are we going to have to delve into Nature vs Nurture, but also All the different fields of psychology. Then when you ask about what controls the engine, there are those who argue there is a human "soul", but no one can prove it. So then we get into various religious aspects, and spititual beliefs. Then there is the various asspects to cultural differences, and the difference in people's own point of veiw.

"Either moral responsibility exists or it doesn't."-You That's not exactely true. Because you can have both. Even morals are subject to one's own perception, interpretation, and then choice made of free will. What I mean is, one may say it's wornd to let some one die with out helping them, while another states, it's wrong to help some one who does not deserve the help. Who is right? That would depend upon one's point of veiw, and interpretation of that view.

"Human and animal rights become human inventions in a purposeless, valueless and meaningless existence."-You
If no one honors the morals, then the morals don't exsist. So, since the majority honor the rules, then we have a regualar code of moral conduct. What is money with out every one's desire for it? A piece of papper with colours on it, or a shinny piece of round metal? Our existence holds only meaning to each of us as individuals, as “No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head.” ~Terry Josephson Feelings allow us to empathise and connect to other beings.

No this does not work with how we live. People make choices for different reasons, and we may not agree but that's not to say we are right.

I guess the only answer we can really give you is, Does it really matter?

We are each made unique by our personality, soul and spirit... those are the driving forces of our thoughts, decisions and morality.
At least that is the way I see it.

No metaphysical problem is more vigorously discussed by the present day
Psychologists than that of mind and body. Most of us assume that all thinking
Takes place in the brain. It is only since a few decades that psychologists are
Treating body and mind as one unit called psycho-somatic system. This led to
The development of new subjects like Psycho-biology and Psycho-neuro-immunology.
Modern medicine has recognized the brain-spine system as one unit, but it
Does not assign thinking functions to any part of the spine. It is now known that
Even when a considerable amount of brain is removed through surgery, a person can
Still have reasonable mental abilities and can lead a near normal life. Modern
Research found that one region in brain can perform several tasks and so can
Compensate for the loss of damage of another region. On the contrary, surgical
Removal of some 'safe' parts from womb of women is known to cause problems of mind
Like dementia. Then, what are the components of mind and where are they located?
The present paper tries to provide some information in this line, using
Interpretations of the principles given in ancient scriptures of India.

Indians put their hand on the chest when they say "I am saying this from the
depths of my Manas". Manas (rational mind) is a common word used in India, and no
One shows his head when he uses that word. The Europeans have an esoteric
Tradition that mind exists independently of the physical brain, and thoughts
Become known to a person through the brain. During the 1970s, neurologists
Became increasingly dissatisfied with the epiphenomenalism theories of mind
And brain. More scientists came to suspect that mind and brain were different in a
Kind and could interact.

More information in my article on mind:

Components Of Mind According To Ancient Scriptures Of India (http://www.scientificblogging.com/components_mind/blog/components_mind_according_t_ancient_scriptures_ind ia)

Hello VSPrasad,

Is it correct to say that according to the Ancient Scriptures of India mental events are really physical events? In other words, the mental is really physical events happening in various parts of the body.

Regards

Tut

I have a text book 7 inches thick on different positions, I really don't know where to begin. From what I have garnered I think it is most likely that mental events are caused (arise out of) physical events but are not themselves physical events.

It is the wrong type of question, like the man watching baseball and saying "I see all the players you've told me about except one, where is the 'team sprit' "

Or a man visiting a university

"You have shown me the science block, arts block and the gym but where is the university"

When we ask if mental events are physical events we make a category mistake.