The mind and body are said to be two different entities that have different characteristics. Many have argued that each holds its own properties and can be without the other. In my opinion, the mind and body are distinguishable in there properties but are derived from the other. The mind and body are codependent on each other and need the other in making decisions. The mind requires the body to learn, experience so as to make accurate judgments, while the body requires the mind to make its decisions for it. Without one or the other, I feel they would not be able to exist.
The mind and the body coexist together and thrive on the other by using the others traits. Many argue that a human’s death is not death until the brain or mind has stopped. Once the brain is stopped there is no function to control the body and cannot be revived. By that same statement, some argue that the same body that ends with the minds death does not begin until the brain is functioning or until the mind is able to make decisions. A newborn though it has a mind that is capable of making decisions does not know how or is able to make those decisions.
It is through experience and time that the mind learns. The mind learns from the body, through the experiences that the body has. From touch to taste to sound every experience is a new experience to a new mind. A newborn does not know what is around it nor does it know the sounds and smells that surround the hospital. The newborns mind uses the body to determine and make interpretations as to what the surroundings are. In that aspect the mind is dependent on the body. It needs the body to experience. The mind cannot feel a desk or smell a flower.
It needs the body to relate those findings so that later it can make a judgment or decision on past knowledge. The mind later can use its past experiences and knowledge to make decisions that are relevant for that time. A quick example of how the mind and body are dependent is in the new technological revolution. A. I. or artificial intelligence is a computer that learns on its own. It is a computer that is able to experience and learn. The computer learns from using its senses, may they be wheels not legs or sensors rather than eyes in this case, to teach itself.
For example, a computer could hit an object that is obstructing its path. It then stores its findings to help in its future decisions. Since the computer, like a mind, learns through its experiences by using the body it now knows that when there is an obstacle in its path to go around, over or under and not through it. It uses its body to learn therefore both the mind, computer, is dependant on its body, robot. With the mind being dependant on the body one could argue that without the body the mind would cease to exist. This is true but is also true for the body not existing with the mind.
It uses the body to make decisions almost like a puppet. If the mind feels the body needs food it makes the decision to have the body walk from point A to point B and eat an apple. The body however needs the mind to make those decisions. How would the body know to eat if it was hungry or drink when thirsty? It wouldn’t. It would die of dehydration. The body depends on the mind to make decisions. It only relates the experiences to the mind so that the mind can make conscience choices that will help both the mind and body to coexist. It is in this aspect the mind and body is codependent.
The mind and body differ in makeup and characteristics but need the other to exist. The mind needs the body so as to learn and experience. It needs the body for knowledge so that it can make conscious assessments. The body also thrives on the mind. It needs the mind to make its decisions for it. It needs for the mind to know as know as much as possible so that the choices that it makes will affect the body in a positive way. The mind and body appear to be different by there characteristics but without the other would cease to exist.