Since this is more of a primer, I think it is worth mentioning that this question touches on the philosophies of mind-body dualism and monism. Weaving in and out of the debate is genetics and neurobiology. Is the mind different than the soul? Is the mind and body one in the same? These are the big, BIG philosophical questions that have been batted around in quite a few threads.
A Google search for monism, dualism, and neurobiology should get anyone on the beginning of a rather arduous path for those who are interested.