Budhists seem to think there is something non-material about the mind. But surely the mind is just the brain, or maybe a program running on the brain?

Materialism states that we are mere machines, biological computers or automata. The universe does not require our existence - we are accidents of evolution. Our minds are programs running on the brain.

Our minds cease to exist when the brain ceases to function. The mind has no spiritual dimension. Buddist philosophers disagree with these statements and can produce powerful arguments against materialism.

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I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.