Can the mind be understood independently of physical matter? On today’s episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor continues his conversation with Dr. Angus Menuge, Chair of Philosophy at Concordia University, about his book Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science. They discuss various models of the mind-brain problem, including idealism, which posits that matter does not exist and that the world is made up of minds or spirits and their ideas. They also explore dualism, which suggests that the mind and body are fundamentally different substances, and emergence, which proposes that mental states emerge from physical processes. Along the way, the pair touches on topics such as quantum mechanics, split-brain surgery, and the binding problem. The conversation highlights the complexities and unanswered questions surrounding the mind-brain relationship. This is Part 2 of 3.

Additional Resources

• New book: Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science
• Michael Egnor is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at State University of New York, Stony Brook, has served as the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, and award-winning brain surgeon
• Angus J. L. Menuge is Chair of the Philosophy Department at Concordia University, Wisconsin
• Listen to Part 1 of this conversation