Interesting question asked at Metafilter.
“Since we are nothing more than our synapses, do we have limited thoughts?My biology is a little shaky but since we have a finite amount of synapses (limited by the size of our brain?), can we only have a finite amount of thoughts? Additionally how does one have new thoughts? I mean, I notice that while ruminating, I end up with the same tape playing in my mind. What can one do to change that, as in look at the world and events from a different perspective and in new ways?”
If you think about it, it’s sort of a Zen “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. Personally, my thoughts on the subject are thoughts are infinite – only limited by our finite lifespans. Since every touch, sight, taste, smell and sense elicits a different thought, the question would probably be better asked can we only have an finite number of sensations during a lifetime? Yes and no. We sense until we die. Thus, during our lives, we can think infinitely. Death is the only factor that makes thought finite.
That’s my opinion..what’s yours?
Link: Can we have only a finite number of thoughts?
Technorati Tags: Thinking, thoughts, Zen
{ 1 comment }
I do believe that we have a limited number of simultaneous thoughts. I think that’s pretty well documented, and for as powerful as our brains are, the number is very small.
Nevertheless, I tend to agree with your views. I believe there is an infinite number of thoughts one can have in a lifetime. But that’s assuming that one never stops learning. For many people, that is not a valid assumption.
While this question can never be answered, one must also consider what thoughts lie in the mind, as opposed to the brain. There are real people, doctors, who believe that lots of our thoughts are in our heart. Seriously, the heart muscle. Google Dr. Paul Pearsall.