Can we figure out the human mind, useing mearly the human mind ?

Answer 1

Eventually, I think we will, but I'm an optimist.

We get closer and closer all the time. (With some pretty regular steps backward, too.) There's tons of work being done on the brain, and that's undoubtedly the engine of mind. But in areas like psychology, philosophy, psychiatry, anthropology--the list goes on and on--we refine ideas and concepts constantly, and come to clearer understanding of the mind.

Even the military applications of knowledge of the mind get better and better. (I mean things like breaking down ego for purposes of getting information and so on.) I hate to think about it, but it does add to man's knowledge.

We have a heck of a long way to go, but I think we've come a long way.

As far as "using merely the human mind," what the heck else would we use? All of our tools are products of the human mind, aren't they?

Answer 2

There are nine dimensions of the conditions for introspection. These nine dimensions are:

1. Challenge (How challenged, how emotionally involved, and how committed am I to the effort?)

2. Freedom (How free am I to decide how?)

3. Idea Time (Do I have time to think things through?)

4. Idea Support (Do I have resources to give new ideas a try?)

5. Trust & Openness (Do I feel safe in speaking my mind and openly offering different points of view?)

6. Playfulness and Humor (How relaxed am I - is it OK to have fun?)

7. Conflicts (To what degree do I engage in interpersonal conflict or "warfare?")

8. Debates (To what degree do I engage in lively debates about the issues)

9. Risk-Taking (Is it OK to fail when trying new things?)