Mind, Brain and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and ReligionDoes science argue against the existence of the human soul? Many scientists and scholars believe the whole is more than the sum of the parts. This book uses information and systems theory to describe the more that does not reduce to the parts. One sees this in the synapses - or apparently empty gaps between the neurons in one's brain-where informative relationships give rise to human mind, culture, and spirituality. Drawing upon the disciplines of cognitive science, computer science, neuroscience, general systems theory, pragmatic philosophy, and Christian theology, Mark Graves reinterprets the traditional doctrine of the soul as form of the body to frame contemporary scientific study of the human soul. |
Contents
Mind | 1 |
Systems Theory | 31 |
Levels of Human Existence | 61 |
Emergence of Water Emergence of Life | 93 |
Spiritual Relationships | 127 |
Brain | 153 |
American Pragmatism | 177 |
The Elusive Soul | 205 |
| 223 | |
| 235 | |
Other editions - View all
Mind, Brain and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and ... Mark Graves Limited preview - 2016 |
Mind, Brain and the Elusive Soul: Human Systems of Cognitive Science and ... Mark Graves Limited preview - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
activity aspects atoms become behavior biological processes body brain Cambridge cell Chapter Christian Cognitive Neuroscience cognitive science coherent complex components computer science concepts constitutive absence constraining relationships constraints cultural systems cultural-level systems cyclic AMP decision-making define depends describe developed disciplines Downward Causation dynamic form emergent properties emergent systems emergentists entities existence experience function Gelpi Gracing of Human Graph hemoglobin higher-level human person human systems Ibid individual interactions interpretation Irenaeus Josiah Royce language logical lower-level loyalty memory mental metaphysics mind nature neural neurons object occurs one's organization participate particles Peirce Peirce's perspective phase space phenomena philosophical physical-level pragmatic process philosophy protein provides psychological psychological-level quantum mechanics real possibility reality reductionism relations religious Royce science and religion scientific scientists second-order emergence semiotics social soul spiritual strong emergence structure subatomic systems theory Theology third-order emergence transcendent transcendent-level systems understanding University Press water molecules Whitehead York