Difference between mind and brain: the physical organ versus subjective experience

Two Interconnected but Distinct Realities

Although the terms "mind" and "brain" are often used interchangeably in everyday language, in psychology they refer to two very different concepts.

The fundamental distinction is that the brain is a physical, objective organ, while the mind is an experience that is mental and completely subjective.

We can use the analogy of thinking of the brain as the hardware of a computer, and the mind as the programs that run on it.

Understanding this difference is the first step in being able to approach the study of human behavior and consciousness in a much more accurate way.

The Brain as a Physical, Objective Entity

The brain is an organ that is part of the central nervous system and can be seen, touched, and studied using scientific methods.

Scientists can analyze its structure, neural connections, and functioning with the same objective tools used for any other organ in the body.

For example, the activation of a neural network in a specific region of the brain is a brain process that can be measured with current technology.

Its physical, observable nature is what fundamentally differentiates it from our concept of the mind, which is immaterial.

The Mind as a Subjective Experience

In direct contrast to the brain, the mind cannot be directly observed, since it is not a physical object located in a specific location.

The existence of the mind can only be inferred through a person's behavior and the subjective reports they give us about their experience.

A thought, an emotion, or a memory are mental processes that do not have a physical form, although they are directly related to brain activity.

The study of consciousness, which is one of the most complex and fascinating functions of the mind, remains one of the greatest challenges for the science.

The Mind-Brain