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Mind beyond the brain: proposal of a pragmatic interactionist framework
1Research Center in Spirituality and Health (NUPES), School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)
|July 8, 2025
Summary
This study introduces the Pragmatic Interactionist framework, proposing the mind exists and functions beyond the brain, potentially surviving death. It suggests the brain acts as a filter for the mind, challenging current neuroscience paradigms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
- Psychology
Background:
- Consciousness and the mind-brain relationship are poorly understood.
- Scientific discussions often overlook anomalous and spiritual experiences.
- A lack of scientific framework hinders the study of mind beyond brain phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose the 'Pragmatic Interactionist' framework for the mind-brain relationship.
- To integrate evidence from spiritual and anomalous experiences into a scientific model.
- To suggest the mind's potential existence and function beyond the physical brain.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an enlarged empirical base and expanded naturalism.
- Analyzing evidence from near-death, end-of-life, out-of-body, and mediumistic experiences.
- Examining alleged memories of previous lives.
Main Results:
- Proposes an interactionist mind-body relationship.
- Asserts the mind exists and functions independently of the brain.
- Suggests the brain functions as a tool and filter for the mind.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework offers a new perspective on the mind-brain connection.
- It encourages further research into phenomena suggesting a non-physical mind.
- It aims to expand our understanding of human consciousness and its potential beyond the brain.
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