What are the characteristics of conscious mind?
(Note: This chapter is based on the assumption that the brain is objectively real. In Chapter 9 and following, we shall see that this assumption is unnecessary and, in fact, like any assumption of an objective reality (Section 1.1), it cannot be verified. Furthermore, it leads to the additional assumption that there is an objective “I” that suffers.) Mind is the conscious experience of the functioning of the brain and senses. This is to be distinguished from the functioning itself. Mind has three important aspects: a) The contents of mind: Mental contents include thoughts, emotions, feelings, dreams, and visions. Perceptual contents include those that are internal to the body as well as those that are external. Perceptual contents that are internal include sensations of pain, pressure, stretching, tension, movement, proprioception, and interoception. Many of these involve emotional components as well, such as fear or pleasure. Analogs of these mental and perceptual contents are the sha
