How many minds do you think we have

Sounds a bit silly and of course the intuitive answer is one. But I've been thinking about it and I honestly believe I have at least two "minds" (whatever that means...).

A few reasons for this:

1. I am constantly having dialogues in my head as though there are more than one of "me" up there (once again, whatever that means). I call myself "man" in my thoughts and think stuff like "nah, I don't think that's a good idea man", and stuff like that.

2. I am constantly disagreeing with "myself". When I was struggling to quit weed a couple of months ago, there was a constant battle in my head that played out like a couple of toddlers arguing over toys. An example:

A: I want some bongs.
B: But you can't have any because of the p*ss test.
A: Yeah, but that's a few weeks away, I'll drink bulk water and exercise bulk and should be right.
B: I doubt that, it sometimes takes up to a few months.
A: I want bongs.

If weed isn't your thing, consider any conflicting thoughts you have (food you continue to eat despite telling "yourself" you shouldn't be, etc.) and ask yourself why one mind would be so conflicted about something you KNOW to be true. "I" know that I wouldn't have passed a p*ss test in such a short amount of time, but "I" thought I might be able to get away with it, until "I" talked some sense into "myself".

3. Consider being "of two minds" about something or "changing your mind". Like, don't you ever just sit there and talk to yourself in your mind (I hope so or I must be f*cked up lol). How can this possibly be unless there are more than one mind in our brain? How can something (a mind) think to itself, and then rebut?

Reading back over this now, I know it's not going to make much sense to those reading it, and I welcome all insults as much as insights. I know what I mean but am finding it hard to put into words.

It depends on what we're calling a mind.

But I understand what you are saying. The brain is very complicated and it seems almost too simple to refer to it singularly. It's as different entities, not one, in a way.

Haha, I don't think so Nags.

"The diagnosis requires that at least two personalities routinely take control of the individual's behavior with an associated memory loss that goes beyond normal forgetfulness"

This has never happened to me. This is more along the lines of Me, Myself and Irene stuff.

I really wish I could find the words to explain what I mean. It's hard to talk about the mind and thoughts I'm realizing.

Like, Nags, when you want to go to the fridge and grab out a bottle of water, what do you think?

1. Is it an automatic process where you "feel" thirsty and so your feet instinctively walk to the fridge and grab one out?
2. Or do you say to yourself, in your mind, "Man I'm thirsty, I'm grabbing a drink." And then when you see the bottle of water pick it up and go "yoink" and then after you've had a drink go "ahh, that's the sh*t".

Obviously not word-for-word, but I'm the latter. I am constantly having dialogues with myself. Once again, I realize this sounds really stupid and I can't find the right words to make it sound less-so.

I think I have 2 or three, but this is certainly an interesting inquiry.

Supposedly, the two sides of the brain act independently.

It depends on what we're calling a mind.

But I understand what you are saying. The brain is very complicated and it seems almost too simple to refer to it singularly. It's as different entities, not one, in a way.

I think I have 2 or three, but this is certainly an interesting inquiry.

Supposedly, the two sides of the brain act independently.

Sweet, thanks guys. I'm glad you get what I mean, and mostly that I'm not just going nuts. :D

Depends who you're talking about. Could be as high as 3 or so, but as low as 0.

At 11/4/2009 5:52:56 PM, mongoose wrote:
Depends who you're talking about. Could be as high as 3 or so, but as low as 0.

What do you mean "as high as 3 or so" man?

I think I get the "as low as 0". :D

I'm pretty sure I have two different minds.

wjmelements, don't you have some evil alter ego?

leet, can you give another example that would generally apply to everyone? I kind've understand, but not really. :)