ENGLISH

Mind and Emergence: From Quantum to Consciousness

By Philip Clayton

Book information

Publisher
Oxford University Press, USA
Year
2005
ISBN
9780199272525, 0-19-927252-2
LCC
BT55 .C53 2004
Open Library ID
OL22604369M
Language
english
Format
DJVU
Filesize
1 MB (1531655 bytes)
Pages
249\249
Time added
2014-10-05 02:30:00

Description

Strong claims have been made for emergence as a new paradigm for understanding science, consciousness, and religion. Tracing the past history and current definitions of the concept, Clayton assesses the case for emergent phenomena in the natural world and their significance for philosophy and theology. Complex emergent phenomena require irreducible levels of explanation in physics, chemistry and biology. This pattern of emergence suggests a new approach to the problem of consciousness, which is neither reducible to brain states nor proof of a mental substance or soul. Although emergence does not entail classical theism, it is compatible with a variety of religious positions. Clayton concludes with a defence of emergentist panentheism and a Christian constructive theology consistent with the new sciences of emergence.

Similar books