Lost Your Mind?
Ken Purnell
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) February 14, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18644723 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that modern neuroscience still cannot answer five basic questions about consciousness, including what it is, whether it can exist without a working brain, and whether the mind shapes the brain as much as the brain shapes the mind. Proposes that readers rethink common assumptions about the brain, consciousness, and personal identity. |
Abstract
Where is your mind right now, and why can no one find it, even with the best brain scanners on Earth? This short, accessible paper walks you through five deceptively simple questions that modern neuroscience still cannot answer about consciousness, from what it is to whether it can exist without a working brain, to whether your mind is sculpting your brain as much as your brain is shaping your mind. Blending vivid examples with up‑to‑date research, it invites you as an educator, student, or simply a curious person to rethink what you think you ‘know’ about the brain, consciousness, the mind, and who you really are.