The mind-body problem is a philosophical question about how our mind and body are related. It asks whether our thoughts, feelings, and consciousness (our mind) are separate from our physical body, or if they are somehow connected. Some people think that the mind and body are like two separate things that can exist independently, while others believe that they are closely intertwined and cannot be separated. It’s like trying to figure out if our thoughts and feelings are just a result of our brain and body working together, or if there’s something more to our mind that goes beyond our physical form. It’s a fascinating mystery that scientists, philosophers, and thinkers have been pondering for a long time!
Below is a short thought-exercise to help kids start thinking about this problem. If you want to explore further with additional activities or read differing opinions from philosophers, see my previous blog post 5 Things Kids Should Consider About Who They Are.
What Makes The Robot Move?
Read the following to your kids:
Imagine you have a toy robot that can move and talk, just like a real person. It has a body made of metal and wires, and it can do all sorts of things like walk, dance, and even play soccer. But one day, the robot suddenly stops moving and talking. It just sits there, completely still. You can’t figure out what’s wrong with it, because all its parts and wires are still intact and functioning perfectly.
So you take a closer look and realize that the robot’s batteries have run out of power. You replace the batteries with fresh ones, and suddenly the robot comes back to life! It starts moving and talking again, just like before.
Now, here’s the question: When the robot stopped moving and talking, and then started again when you replaced the batteries, what do you think was responsible for its actions? Was it the body made of metal and wires, or was it something else? Think about it and try to come up with your own answer.
Some kids might say that it was the batteries that made the robot move and talk, while others might say that it was the robot’s body that was responsible. As your kids go through this, ask them followup questions. Bring up possible problems. Help them work through their thought process.
Stuffed Animal Activity
An activity that could help solidify the concept of the mind-body problem for children is to engage in a role-playing exercise. Here’s how you can do it:
Materials Needed:
- A small object, such as a toy or a stuffed animal.
Instructions:
- Have your kids choose a small object, such as a toy or a stuffed animal, to represent the “mind.” This object will be used to symbolize the intangible aspects of a person, such as their thoughts, feelings, and consciousness.
- Ask them to hold the object in their hand and imagine that it represents their mind. Discuss with them what the mind does, such as thinking, feeling emotions, and experiencing sensations.
- Next, have them stand up and move around to represent the “body.” They can walk, jump, dance, or perform other physical movements to simulate the actions of a body.
- Now, ask them to think about how the mind and body interact with each other. For example, they can imagine the mind sending signals to the body to move, or the body providing input to the mind through the senses.
- Encourage them to explore different scenarios. For instance, they can pretend that the mind and body are disconnected, and try to move the body without using the mind, or vice versa.
- After they have had a chance to experiment with different scenarios, have them reflect on their observations. Ask them questions such as: How did it feel to move the body without the mind? How did it feel to have the mind control the body? Did they notice any differences or challenges in these scenarios?
- Finally, have a discussion with them about the concept of the mind-body problem, drawing on their observations and reflections. Help them understand that the mind and body are closely interconnected, but they might also have distinct aspects. Discuss how the mind and body work together to create our experiences and perceptions of the world around us.
This hands-on role-playing activity can provide a tangible and experiential way for kids to explore the complex relationship between the mind and body, and help them better understand the concept of the mind-body problem.
