“The mind and body can never engage in dialogue. The mind can only ask questions.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「精神と肉体とは決して問答できないのだ。精神は問うことができるだけだ。」
English
“The mind and body can never engage in dialogue. The mind can only ask questions.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima explores the separation between the mind and the body, suggesting that they are fundamentally disconnected in their function. The mind, as represented by thought, reason, and consciousness, is described as something that can question and seek understanding, but it cannot have a direct conversation with the body, which is driven by physical instincts, sensations, and nature. Mishima implies that the mind can never fully understand or control the body because the two operate on fundamentally different planes. The mind is engaged in the realm of ideas and abstract thought, while the body is rooted in the concrete and material world. This disconnection highlights the tension that often exists between mental ideals and the physical reality of human existence.
Mishima’s words reflect his recurring theme of the tension between the spiritual and the physical. Throughout his works, he explored the struggle between the intellectual or aesthetic pursuits of the mind and the instinctual or bodily desires of the flesh. For Mishima, this divide represents a profound conflict within human nature—one that cannot be reconciled simply through reason or philosophy. The mind can question, but it is ultimately powerless to engage directly with the bodily experience. This view is in line with Mishima’s own personal philosophy, which often focused on the fragility of the human condition and the inevitable limitations imposed by the body, despite the aspirations of the mind.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote resonates with the ongoing philosophical and psychological debates about the relationship between mind and body. In today’s society, where mental health is increasingly recognized as a vital part of overall well-being, the mind-body connection is often discussed in terms of holistic health. Mishima’s words, however, remind us of the existential divide between the two, suggesting that, despite advances in psychology, philosophy, and medicine, the mind and body remain in distinct realms that cannot be fully unified or understood through simple dialogue. This reflection urges us to acknowledge the limitations of both mental and physical aspects of human experience, understanding that each must be approached individually but also acknowledging the unique challenges that arise from their separation.
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