Is it possible for a person to have two minds?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether a person can possess two minds, exploring various psychological and philosophical perspectives. It includes references to conditions like dissociative identity disorder and surgical cases involving the corpus callosum, as well as personal reflections on the nature of thought and identity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that individuals with dissociative identity disorder exhibit multiple points of view, potentially resembling separate minds.
  • Others reference commisurotomy patients, proposing that severing the corpus callosum might lead to two distinct cognitive processes.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the existence of two minds, arguing that understanding what constitutes a mind is essential to this discussion.
  • Another participant shares personal experiences of having multiple sets of thoughts simultaneously, questioning the definition of mind and its relation to the brain.
  • A participant reflects on the colloquial use of "being in two minds" when faced with decisions, pondering its relevance to the main question.
  • One participant, drawing from their experience in a psychiatric hospital, describes interactions among patients with multiple personalities, suggesting a distinction between having two minds and a single mind with sub-minds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus reached on whether two minds can exist. Some support the idea through psychological examples, while others challenge the notion and emphasize the need for a clearer definition of mind.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in defining "mind" and the implications of various psychological conditions, as well as the subjective nature of personal experiences related to thought processes.

itachigaraa
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Two minds?

Is it possible for a person to have two minds?
 
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I suppose someone with multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder) has multiple points of view on reality, and since one personality isn't aware of the cognitive processes of the others, I suppose they would be like separate minds.
 
itachigaraa said:
Is it possible for a person to have two minds?

Look up commisurotomy patients, those who have had their corpus collosum severed surgically.
 
itachigaraa said:
Is it possible for a person to have two minds?

If I say YES!
Can you anybody prove or disprove it?

(How one can make love with two or more without more minds ;) )
 
Don't expect any empirical data to prove two minds are possible.

Two personalities perhaps. Two minds -- never.

One must first understand what a mind is, and whether it exists, to understand whether two minds are possible.
 
I do have multiple sets of thoughts at any particular instance.

what is the definition of mind?
is it in the brain?
if it's in the brain, what will happen when one has a brain transplant?

too much on my mind..i'm going insane!
 
False Prophet said:
I suppose someone with multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder) has multiple points of view on reality, and since one personality isn't aware of the cognitive processes of the others, I suppose they would be like separate minds.

Are you certain they are COMPLETELY unaware of the cognitive processes of each other?

Thanks, Babsyco.
 
When you're deciding on something but don't know what to pick, people do tend to say you're in two minds.

Whether this has anything to do with your question and whether or not it can be helpful, I don't know but it's all that came to mind, no pun intended.
 
well I'm currently working at a psychiatric hospital and i can tell there are a lot of minds there!

Well these patients have conversations, fights and whatever with themselves.
I would call this having two minds, but at the same time I see it as one mind.
Maybe sub-minds in one larger mind is the way to go then.

But then again where does the line get crossed to actually have two separate minds? hmm this seems like only a literal defining thing...
 

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