Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Michael Egnor

a-surreal-image-of-a-human-brain-partially-submerged-in-wate-1190970109-stockpack-adobe_stock
A surreal image of a human brain partially submerged in water, with electric sparks illuminating the surrounding dark space.

Rethinking the Relationship Between Mind and Brain: Dr. Angus Menuge

On this episode of Mind Matters News, host Dr. Michael Egnor speaks with Dr. Angus Menuge to discuss the mind-brain problem and his work on the recent volume exploring this topic, Minding the Brain. Egnor and Menuge explore various perspectives on the relationship between the mental and the physical. They cover the problems with materialist and physicalist views, which seek Read More ›

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Artistic collage showcasing the iconic David sculpture, symbolizing individuality, individual empowerment, and the human potential for creativity and innovation. Generative AI

A Case for the Soul: An Interview with Joshua Farris

Is the mind the same thing as the brain? Recently, we’ve been tackling this question known as the mind-brain problem with several of the contributing authors to our recent book Minding the Brain. In a similar fashion, we can also ask if there’s more to the human person than just our bodies. This week we have neurosurgeon Michael Egnor talking about Read More ›

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Deep meditation can create a spiritual bond between two people through telepathic communication. Concept Spiritual Bond, Deep Meditation, Telepathic Communication, Mind-Body Connection

The Impact of Descartes on the Philosophy of Mind

On this episode out of the vault, neuroscientist Dr. Michael Egnor welcomes Dr. Joshua Farris for a discussion about his recent published paper “Descartes’ New Clothes: Cartesian Thought in Philosophy, Neuroscience and Theism.” Descartes is famous for his dictum “I think, therefore I am.” Farris and Egnor discuss this statement and its implications for the mind-body debate. They also talk Read More ›

brain-mind-way-soul-and-hope-concept-art-illustration-surreal-mystery-artwork-imagination-painting-conceptual-idea-of-success-stockpack-adobe-stock
Brain mind way soul and hope concept art, illustration, surreal mystery artwork, imagination painting, conceptual idea of success

The Rational Soul: Rethinking Materialism with Neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor

In this episode, Pat Flynn and Dr. Michael Egnor conclude their discussion of Dr. Egnor’s contribution to the recent volume Minding the Brain. Flynn and Dr. Egnor discuss Thomistic dualism and its relation to neuroscience and the soul. Thomistic dualism is the belief that the soul is a separate entity from the body and that the rational aspects of the soul, Read More ›

Two Scientists in the Brain Research Laboratory work on a Project, Using Personal Computer with MRI Scans Show Brain Anomalies. Neuroscientists at Work.
Two Scientists in the Brain Research Laboratory work on a Project, Using Personal Computer with MRI Scans Show Brain Anomalies. Neuroscientists at Work.

Dr. Michael Egnor: Neuroscience, the Soul, and the Limits of Materialism

In this episode, Pat Flynn and Dr. Michael Egnor continue their discussion of Dr. Egnor’s contribution to the recent volume Minding the Brain. Flynn and Egnor discuss various criticisms of materialism in neuroscience. They touch on topics such as near-death experiences, the limitations of the computational theory of mind, and the nature of artificial intelligence. Dr. Egnor also addresses common questions Read More ›

two-human-profiles-with-a-green-abstract-design-symbolizing-concepts-of-nature-growth-and-interconnectedness-stockpack-adobe-stock
Two human profiles with a green abstract design, symbolizing concepts of nature, growth, and interconnectedness.

The Science of Mind: Debunking Materialism, with Dr. Michael Egnor

On this episode, host Pat Flynn begins a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Michael Egnor about topics such as mind, brain, dualism, the nature of the human person, neuroscience, and the soul. Dr. Egnor argues for dualism, stating that there are aspects of the mind that are not generated by the brain. They also discuss research on split-brain patients and its Read More ›

forgetful man
Forgetfulness - forgetful mid-adult man with eyeglasses

Caring for the Deeply Forgetful: An Interview with Dr. Stephen Post

How can we best compassionately relate to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease? Is there more to the mind than just the brain? On this episode of Mind Matters News, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor interviews Dr. Stephen Post. They discuss topics such as memory, consciousness, medical ethics, and the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Post emphasizes the importance of Read More ›

exploring-the-building-blocks-of-nature-a-visual-representation-of-atom-and-molecule-in-scientific-research-stockpack-adobe-stock
Exploring the Building Blocks of Nature - A Visual Representation of Atom and Molecule in Scientific Research

Bruce Gordon: Idealism, Quantum Mechanics, and the Fundamentality of Mind

Does quantum mechanics, properly understood, point to the fundamentality of mind in the universe? In this episode, Michael Egnor concludes a conversation with philosopher of physics Bruce Gordon about the relationship between idealism and quantum mechanics. Gordon argues that quantum mechanics points to mind as the fundamental unit of the universe, as it is irreducibly probabilistic and exhibits non-local phenomena. He Read More ›

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Abstract illustration of two woman’s profile portraits invoking ancient Janus image, surrounded by digital interfaces. Interpretation and personification of dualist AI technology, blue color.

Mind Over Matter: Dualism vs. Idealism

On this episode, host Dr. Michael Egnor continues his conversation with Dr. Bruce Gordon about a chapter he wrote in the recent volume Minding the Brain titled “Mind Over Matter: Idealism Ascendant.” In Part 2 of the conversation, Dr. Gordon reviews the strengths and weaknesses of dualism and its relationship to idealism. Different categories of dualism are evaluated, as well as challenges and Read More ›

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A poignant illustration of a humanoid robot.

Mind Over Matter: The Case for Idealism

On this episode, host Dr. Michael Egnor begins a conversation with Dr. Bruce Gordon about a chapter he wrote in the recent volume Minding the Brain titled “Mind Over Matter: Idealism Ascendant.” Dr. Gordon makes a case for idealism, a philosophy of mind positing that all of reality is, in some sense, mental. Egnor and Gordon discuss the plausibility of idealism Read More ›

Debunking the Hype of Artificial General Intelligence

In this episode, host Michael Egnor speaks with Dr. William Dembski, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, about his essay titled “Artificial General Intelligence as an Idol for Destruction.” Dembski argues that the belief in the imminent arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is unachievable and destructive. He points out that while AI has made Read More ›

woman-on-a-futuristic-fantasy-backdrop-portrait-with-selective-focus-and-copy-space-stockpack-adobe-stock
Woman on a futuristic fantasy backdrop. Portrait with selective focus and copy space

The Primacy of Information Over Matter

In this episode, host Michael Egnor continues a conversation with Dr. William Dembski, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, about the relationship between the mind and the body. Dembski argues that if information is considered fundamental rather than matter, it dissolves the mind-body problem. He suggests that information is not constrained by the speed of Read More ›

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Mystical Awakening, Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, The Mind-Body Connection

William Dembski on Information and the Mind-Body Relationship

On this episode, host Michael Egnor speaks with Bill Dembski about the concept of information and its role in understanding the mind-body relationship. Dembski explains that information is a verb, representing the narrowing of possibilities and the constraining of contingency. He discusses how information can be understood in different contexts and how it relates to concepts such as meaning and communication. Read More ›

an-individual-journeys-up-the-stairway-to-heaven-transcending-mortality-and-entering-the-afterlife-ascending-through-celestial-clouds-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
An individual journeys up the stairway to heaven, transcending mortality and entering the afterlife. Ascending through celestial clouds. Generative AI

Evaluating Popular Theories of the Mind-Brain Relationship

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the most common mind-brain theories? On today’s episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor concludes his conversation with Dr. Angus Menuge about the mind-brain relationship and the popular dualistic theories of Cartesian dualism and Thomistic dualism. Cartesian dualism posits that the mind and body are fundamentally different substances, with the mind being immaterial and the body Read More ›

adult-and-child-hands-holding-encephalography-brain-paper-cutout-epilepsy-and-alzheimer-awareness-seizure-disorder-mental-health-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Adult and child hands holding encephalography brain paper cutout, Epilepsy and alzheimer awareness, seizure disorder, mental health concept

From Physicalism to Idealism: Challenging Assumptions about Reality

Can the mind be understood independently of physical matter? On today’s episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor continues his conversation with Dr. Angus Menuge, Chair of Philosophy at Concordia University, about his book Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science. They discuss various models of the mind-brain problem, including idealism, which posits that matter does not exist and that Read More ›

the-human-soul-flies-to-the-kingdom-of-heaven-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
the human soul flies to the kingdom of heaven. Generative Ai.

Body & Soul: Joshua Farris and The Creation of Self

How does the body contribute to the soul? On today’s episode, host Michael Egnor and theologian Dr. Joshua Farris discuss the implications of a neo-Cartesian understanding of the human soul on divisive cultural issues such as transgenderism and abortion. Farris, author of the recent book The Creation of Self: A Case for the Soul, argues that the body supplies certain controls and Read More ›

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Luminous person. Individuality

What Makes Humans Unique? 

What makes humans unique compared to the rest of the natural world? Can strict materialists answer that question? In today’s podcast episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor speaks with Dr. Joshua Farris on the idea that human beings are made in God’s image, the mystery of consciousness, and panpsychism. Additional Resources

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Beautiful woman looking at self reflection in mirror.

The Person as “Immaterial Substance”

Is there substantial evidence that we are more than our bodies? And does that point to the existence of God? Theological anthropologist Dr. Joshua Farris thinks so. In this podcast episode, Farris speaks with host and neurosurgeon Michael Egnor to talk about materialism, mind, and theism, as well as Farris’ new book: The Creation of Self.  Additional Resources

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A low angle view of a statue of Rene Descartes against the historic building exterior, showcasing its intricate architecture and craftsmanship.

Discussing the Cartesian Error

What impact did the ideas of the philosopher René Descartes have on our modern conception of the mind/body problem? In today’s episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor digs deeper into his conversation with Dr. Joshua Farris, discussing Thomistic dualism, materialistic explanations for consciousness, and the inevitability of metaphysics.  Additional Resources

two-scientists-in-the-brain-research-laboratory-work-on-a-project-using-personal-computer-with-mri-scans-show-brain-anomalies-neuroscientists-at-work-stockpack-adobe-stock
Two Scientists in the Brain Research Laboratory work on a Project, Using Personal Computer with MRI Scans Show Brain Anomalies. Neuroscientists at Work.

Neuroscience, the Mind, and Theism

What can modern neuroscience teach us about the immaterial mind? Can we ever know anything for certain? In this episode, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor talks with anthropologist Dr. Joshua Farris. They discuss the brain, Descartes, and the theological implications of the various philosophies of mind.  Additional Resources