Does the brain produce the mind? A survey of psychiatrists’ opinions

Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo)

Alexander Moreira-almeida¹  Saulo De Freitas Araujo¹ 

关键词: Mind-brain relationship;    psychiatry;    opinion;    survey;    psychiatrists;    Relação mente-cérebro;    psiquiatria;    opinião;    levantamento;    psiquiatras;   

DOI  :  10.1590/0101-60830000000051

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Background Psychiatrists’ views on the mind-brain relationship (MBR) have marked clinical and research implications, but there is a lack of studies on this topic. Objectives To evaluate psychiatrists’ opinions on the MBR, and whether they are amenable to change or not. Methods We conducted a survey of psychiatrists’ views on the MBR just before and after a debate on the MBR at the Brazilian Congress of Psychiatry in 2014. Results Initially, from more than 600 participants, 53% endorsed the view that “the mind (your “I”) is a product of brain activity”, while 47% disagreed. Moreover, 72% contested the view that “the universe is composed only of matter”. After the debate, 30% changed from a materialist to a non-materialist view of mind, while 17% changed in the opposite way. Discussion Psychiatrists are interested in debates on the MBR, do not hold a monolithic view on the subject and their positions are open to reflection and change, suggesting the need for more in-depth studies and rigorous but open-minded debates on the subject.

【 授权许可】

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