Gottfried Benn´s "brains" novella from 1916: implications for the philosophy of mind.
Philos Ethics Humanit Med February 19, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s13010-025-00165-3 (opens in new tab) via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 1916 novella by Gottfried Benn, 'Brains,' is examined for its relevance to the philosophy of mind. The work is argued to present a materialist and reductionist view of consciousness, where the mind is inseparable from and entirely dependent on the physical brain. The analysis suggests that Benn's literary depiction of a brain as a mere biological organ anticipates later philosophical debates about the mind-body problem, particularly challenging dualist perspectives. The novella's portrayal of consciousness as an epiphenomenon of neural processes is presented as a precursor to contemporary neuroscientific and eliminative materialist positions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that Gottfried Benn's novella "Brains" anticipates and contributes to debates in the philosophy of mind, particularly regarding consciousness and the mind-body problem. |
Abstract
Gottfried Benn´s "brains" novella from 1916: implications for the philosophy of mind.