Is your body something you have, or are?
Dualism has a long history;
Are you the driver of a fleshy car?
Or is mind body? A real mystery
Suppose the mind arises from the brain
Like steam, floating above a boiling pot;
Or a cloud releasing self-conscious rain
Epiphenomenalism can rot!
If brain is cause and conscious mind effect
Then matter is the parent of spirit
And the proud ship of dualism wrecked;
But what if mind is real, and brain knows it?
Then, like a radio, the brain receives
And of itself as instrument, conceives
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Comments (5)
My dad always said that we're all spiritual beings that are having a human experience. He also said that our body is merely a vehicle for us. Loved your poem!
Now that I've looked up its meaning, I'm with you; epiphenomenalism can rot! I do not subscribe to dualism, but I do subscribe to you, which is why these nice poems keep showing up in my feed. Well done, thought-provoking piece!
Deep thoughts by D.J. Excellent sonnet! I learned a new word. I’m no scholar, but have had experiences that prove to me it’s impossible for the soul/mind to be created at the same time as the body. In short, I’ve had OBE stemming from an accident when I was 15. I’m obviously not the first or last person to experience them. It hasn’t happened in a long time but can tell you that I I’ve seen my own body independent of where I perceived the location of my conscious mind to be and am still able to hold thoughts and memories of my waking life when it happens. I believe there is some kind of magnetic properties going on that keeps us incarnate. we have a brain and body to use but we are neither of them.
Epiphenomenalism, and I radiate at 98.6ºF. Great sonnet. I'd say you read my mind, but something keeps jamming me.
And I thought that I was introspective today! This blew my mind/brain - whatever. I had to look up epiphenomenalism - it may be the longest word I've ever seen on Vocal. I like this - I'll be mulling over this now whilst I iron.