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Rica Dela Cruz's picture

I am intrigued by the first

I am intrigued by the first comment written by Emily Alspector because I too am not fully convinced that the brain alone is the reason for behavior and believe that the mind has an equal influence for behavior. Aware of this, I tried to think of reasons for how this model of input/output boxes could also relate to the mind and not just to the nervous system. If this model were correct, where do these inputs come from then? There must be something provoking inputs, which then produce outputs, or no outputs. Are these inputs due to the brain or the mind? Also, how is it that our brains, according to this model, can produce an output without having an input? Could this be a result of the mind? One problem with the model for me is that we are assuming that inputs and outputs are produced from the brain and it seems to neglect the mind.

In addition, I do not like that this model says that there can be an input that produces no output. I feel that when an input is made, one is conscious of that input and therefore can make a conscious decision to produce an output or no output at all. Since one is most likely conscious of the input made, one should be able to produce some form of output. I feel that there must always be a decision made when an input enters. Therefore, the decision of creating no output can be an output within itself. Can't we say "no output" is another type of output? Even if we were not conscious of the input, wouldn't it still be somewhere stored in our brains or minds? I feel that this too can be a type of output. 

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