Neuroscience and Religion

Edited by Volney P. Gay - Contributions by Michael Bess; Stephan Carlson; Tom Gregor; Gary Jensen; Alicia Juarrero; John McCarthy; Jeff Schall and Edward Slingerland

This is a unique set of multidisciplinary reflections on how the neurosciences shape our understanding of religious experience and religious institutions. Twelve scholars and scientists assess how advances in the neurosciences affect our traditional sense of mind, self, and soul.

Chapter 1 Introduction: Neuroscience and Religion: Brain, Mind, Self, and Soul Chapter 2 Chapter 1. A Conversation on Neuroscience and Religion Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Science, Religion, and Three Shades of Black Boxes Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Neuroscience, Theory of Mind, and the Status of Human-Level Truth Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Downward Causation and Religion Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Rapid Advances in Human Brain-Machine Interfacing: Ethical and Social Implications Chapter 7 Chapter 6. The Neuroscience of Religious Experience: An Introductory Survey Chapter 8 Chapter 7. Actions, Reasons, Neurons, and Causes Chapter 9 Chapter 8. Human Universals and Human Nature Chapter 10 Chapter 9. Religion, Science, and Cognition: Explorations in Pluralistic Integration Chapter 11 Chapter 10. "The Little Divine Machine": The Soul/Body Problem Revisited Chapter 12 Conclusion: Looking Forward: The Question of Brain, Mind, Self, and Soul