I like smart-asses 
but anyways, no this isn't as circular an argument as you're proposing, I don't think. I'll give you thought influences thought.
Let's break it down to the practical example. The brain release endorphins and manages the nervous system right? I think we also have a mutual understanding of mind as it applies here. If you electrically stimulate the brain it can produce euphoric experiences, if you use mind altering drugs it can too etc. Preforming a lobotomy affects memory, etc. All of those are manipulating the brain to adjust the mind. You could poke someone with a knife and they would be in pain. They're brain would then recognize it needs some chemicals produced and would handle the problem. The mind would interpret all of the inputs and come up with the abstract idea that it got stabbed and it hurts. That would be an example of physiology affecting mind through the brain. You can't reason actions influencing thought? Here's one: You decide you're hungry(thought) and fix yourself something to eat (action). You accidentally burn yourself which triggers a pain response (brain). Now you learn that stoves are hot and you should be more careful (thought). Clearly in the chain an action caused a change in thought pattern which is the mind. Now let's see examples of mind altering physiology through the brain:
1.positive thinking, positive affirmation and self-coaching- all good ways to alter thoughts to have the brain release chemicals.
2.irrational fear response. -ie. being afraid of heights causes serious physiological problems with no real stimuli other than thought
3.intent plays a big role in the outcome of of an event
Those are just a few examples of thought influencing the brain to do something different than it's doing. No amount of influence from mind or brain or external stimuli seems to be able to remove the "I" portion of identity, yet. What I'm proposing is that this basest level of self is stored in or is a soul. It would have to be immaterial because it's intangible. It has to be independent of the brain, since it survives brain death, therefore I wouldn't group it with abstract thought. I hope this sheds a little light on my perspective.
but anyways, no this isn't as circular an argument as you're proposing, I don't think. I'll give you thought influences thought.Let's break it down to the practical example. The brain release endorphins and manages the nervous system right? I think we also have a mutual understanding of mind as it applies here. If you electrically stimulate the brain it can produce euphoric experiences, if you use mind altering drugs it can too etc. Preforming a lobotomy affects memory, etc. All of those are manipulating the brain to adjust the mind. You could poke someone with a knife and they would be in pain. They're brain would then recognize it needs some chemicals produced and would handle the problem. The mind would interpret all of the inputs and come up with the abstract idea that it got stabbed and it hurts. That would be an example of physiology affecting mind through the brain. You can't reason actions influencing thought? Here's one: You decide you're hungry(thought) and fix yourself something to eat (action). You accidentally burn yourself which triggers a pain response (brain). Now you learn that stoves are hot and you should be more careful (thought). Clearly in the chain an action caused a change in thought pattern which is the mind. Now let's see examples of mind altering physiology through the brain:
1.positive thinking, positive affirmation and self-coaching- all good ways to alter thoughts to have the brain release chemicals.
2.irrational fear response. -ie. being afraid of heights causes serious physiological problems with no real stimuli other than thought
3.intent plays a big role in the outcome of of an event
Those are just a few examples of thought influencing the brain to do something different than it's doing. No amount of influence from mind or brain or external stimuli seems to be able to remove the "I" portion of identity, yet. What I'm proposing is that this basest level of self is stored in or is a soul. It would have to be immaterial because it's intangible. It has to be independent of the brain, since it survives brain death, therefore I wouldn't group it with abstract thought. I hope this sheds a little light on my perspective.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
