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As I have been reading these forum posts, I have been trying very hard to move past my own basic assumptions and look at the question from different angles. I think the question of whether the mind is separate from the brain is an interesting one, and one that while I at first assumed was easily debated has become increasingly more complex. I think I agree with K. Smythe however, in that I do not understand why it matters what exactly the mind is, or why the brain as a functional machine and the mind have to be mutually exclusive. I have always assumed that the brain, in its vast complexity, works to create a range of thoughts and feelings. I think that the functions of the brain work together to create what we think of as our "mind", and to say that it is an organic process rather than some kind of spiritual one does not limit its potential or power, at least not to me. As I believe was mentioned above, everyone is different, and has different viewpoints and mindsets based on both where they come from and who they are to begin with. I believe that who someone is is determined by things such as genetics and experiences, and do not think that it is in any way belittling the mind to say that the brain is similarly molded. I think personally that perhaps the mind is a function of the brain, and the mind could perhaps be thought of as the sum of all parts.