[Mecrupulent]

Originally Posted by philovan ↗

Those are all good points. Note, however, that thought per se is not dependent upon sensory input to the brain. It may be purely reflective. Also, the visual system is not immediately interrupted. Likewise hearing.

Like you, I'm merely speculating with zero medical knowledge. My son is a biomedical engineer, and I'll have to ask him his opinions when I see him.

The problem of thought is indeed on another level and very interesting !

It borders on metaphysical questions at this point, but what we may agree on is that if one has a thought process as just a head, for the previously mentioned reasons it would be borderline impossible for them to "show it" whatsoever

Mysteries, mysteries...

[philovan]

Originally Posted by Mecrupulent ↗

The problem of thought is indeed on another level and very interesting !

It borders on metaphysical questions at this point, but what we may agree on is that if one has a thought process as just a head, for the previously mentioned reasons it would be borderline impossible for them to "show it" whatsoever

Mysteries, mysteries...

Yes. Eye movements and possibly some variations in facial expression are the only means available.

[Mecrupulent]

Originally Posted by philovan ↗

Yes. Eye movements and possibly some variations in facial expression are the only means available.

... If it can be proven they aren't caused by purely physiological processes

[DarkSighted]

Originally Posted by philovan ↗

I've wondered about how decap actually plays out. I've read about studies (too formal a term perhaps, but let's say careful observations) of victims of the guillotine at the time of the Terror. It was said that eye movements and changes in facial expression were observed with some severed heads. Can you imagine having the thought: "that's my body over there?"

Even worse might be having rigor erectus, maybe SEEING your last stiffy ever straining desperately within your clothes as your eyes start to roll back, but can't feel it. Bogus.
And... well, he climbed high enough to tie that knot, feels like he could've just jumped from there and ended it, IF he hit right...

[philovan]

Originally Posted by Mecrupulent ↗

... If it can be proven they aren't caused by purely physiological processes

Yes, but what could constitute a proof, one way or another? I see no way out of that conundrum. It is, as you note, a metaphysical question at this point.