what is a thought made of?

Answer 1

a question for the ages !

there is currently NO complete physical theory on thought ( maybe perhaps because theories are thoughts ! ).

although many philosophical theories exist, none can be deemed acceptable scientifically.

physically, thought is considered a process of the brain and is based in the electrochemical reactions therein.

the "experience" of thought is not well understood ( what does it mean to see "blue" for example ).

some philosophers believe the problem is "intractable" ( unsolvable ) becuase human rationality will never be satisfied with an answer ( i.e. there will always be more questions ).

ancient hindu philosophers believed your mind was only a receiver of thoughts that existed independently. how you"tuned in" into to these infinite floating thoughts in space would comprise of your particular mind.

although theories range from one extreme to another, a few things can be pinned down :

1. thought probably occurs in your brain. ( medically disease accurately shows this )

2. thought is probably "stored" in the brain ( memories retrieved and amnesia )

3. thought may not exist at all but may be an illusion to which we assign a word "thought" . this illusion is actually the process of the elecrohemical reactions themselves. this illusion is abolished when you sleep or are unconscious.

4. this illusion is called consciousness and is more metaphysical in nature. ( i.e not a subject for the sciences ).

5. i believe consciousness is a subjective experience which in some individuals opens an infinity of questions and in others be a solved problem ( e.g. state of nirvana or cosmic union ). in other words, its a matter of accepting a belief.

6. i dont think your question can be approach rationally since the question itself is a thought . in other words, the answer to what a thought is made of is only another thought and so on ad infinitum.......

7. you may want to read "the physics of consciousness" for a good scientific survey of your question.

:)

Answer 2

You are into some really deep stuff here. Great!

Have you heard of a book called "The Mind's I"? I hope my memory is decent -- I think it's by Daniel Dennett. Or did Douglas Hofstadter have something to do with it, too?

I think also that Roger Penrose was writing stuff about consciousness and what exactly it is and where it resides in a conscious being.

I love questions like these. Great stuff for beer drinking conversations ...

Answer 3

An interaction of electrical signals between nuerons in your brain.

Research Monism and Dualism.

Monism = The idea that the mind is an entity of the physical brain.

Dualism = The idea that the mind and physical brain are two separate entities.

Answer 4

What is physics made of?

Answer 5

well sammy, it is the unconscous mind conversing with the concous mind trying to solve everyday problems.

Answer 6

waves / frequencies of energy