Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagDualism

charting-consciousness-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Charting Consciousness.

Six Theories of Consciousness

Everybody talks about AI becoming conscious, but no one ever defines what consciousness is.

Who gave consciousness and creativity to whoever or whatever is responsible for simulating us, and who simulated our simulator?

Read More ›
mind-stockpack-adobe-stock-407320224-stockpack-adobestock
Mind.

Consciousness and Free Will: JP Moreland’s Case for Dualism

He argues that dualism, the sense that we are souls as well as bodies, is the natural interpretation of our lived experience

Moreland contends thatthe dualist view isn’t an irrational leap of faith but a well-supported, philosophically robust position.

Read More ›
immortal-soul-stockpack-adobe-stock-1108570307-stockpack-adobestock
immortal soul

Foundations of the Soul: A Conversation with J.P. Moreland

Today, guest host Pat Flynn welcomes Dr. J.P. Moreland to the Mind Matters News podcast to discuss which of the main metaphysical theories can best account for the existence of the soul. Moreland argues that the soul is a real, non-physical entity that has consciousness and exists separately from the physical brain. He presents three empirically equivalent theories – strict Read More ›

body-mind-soul-spirit-motivational-words-quotes-concept-stoc-1110324376-stockpack-adobestock
Body Mind Soul Spirit, Motivational Words Quotes Concept

The Immortal Mind: An Interview with Neurosurgeon Dr. Michael

Is the mind more than the brain? Is there a scientific case for the existence of the soul? On this episode, host Dr. Robert J. Marks speaks with neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor about his new book The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon’s Case for the Existence of the Soul. Dr. Egnor is an experienced brain surgeon who previously held materialist views but Read More ›

view-form-medical-partition-taiwanese-female-in-vegetative-s-377806105-stockpack-adobestock
view form medical partition taiwanese female in vegetative state resting alone on bed in bright hospital.

Are People in a Persistent Vegetative State Mindless? Maybe Not

They often can and do think. Research in the area helps us understand the relationship between the mind and the brain better

While none of this research is decisive, the materialist paradigm is challenged by awareness in PVS. The dualist perspective better fits the evidence.

Read More ›
energy-of-thought-human-head-emitting-abstract-fractal-struc-622519680-stockpack-adobestock
Energy of Thought. Human head emitting abstract fractal structure to illustrate working of human mind, Generative AI illustration

Is There a Mind Behind the Math Behind the Material World?

What does it mean for something to exist? Today, we’re joined by Doug Axe to talk about idealism and what it means for understanding the world around us. Idealism is the belief that reality exists exclusively of minds and their ideas, rather than a physical, material world. This contrasts with physicalism/materialism which views the physical world as the only true Read More ›

brain-psychology-mind-soul-and-hope-concept-art-3d-illustrat-477180129-stockpack-adobe_stock
Brain psychology mind soul and hope concept art, 3d illustration, surreal artwork, imagination painting, conceptual idea

Beyond Materialism: Exploring the Mind-Brain Relationship

Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor and philosopher Angus Menuge probe the relationship through philosophy, neuroscience, and information theory

Understanding the mind in terms of information processing, rather than as a byproduct of brain activity, could reshape the debate.

Read More ›
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 ›

steine-im-see-bei-sonnenuntergang-stockpack-adobe-stock-246973286-stockpack-adobe_stock
Steine im See bei Sonnenuntergang

Beyond the Physical: Exploring the Nature of the Mind

A recent podcast panel challenged the prevailing materialist assumptions about the mind and explored better accounts of the richness of human consciousness

Minding the Brain, to which the panelists contributed, challenges skeptical readers to move beyond physicalism, which is not producing useful results.

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 ›

abstract-illustration-of-two-womans-profile-portraits-invoking-ancient-janus-image-surrounded-by-digital-interfaces-interpretation-and-personification-of-dualist-ai-technology-blue-color-stockpack-adobe-stock
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 ›

a-poignant-illustration-of-a-humanoid-robot-stockpack-adobe-stock
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 ›

a-meteor-streaks-across-the-milky-way-during-the-perseid-meteor-shower-of-2016-stockpack-adobe-stock
A meteor streaks across the Milky Way during the Perseid meteor shower of 2016.

Science Needs a Mind to Work

The use of science to discredit the existence of mental subjects is fatally flawed.

The idea that science has somehow shown the irrelevance of the mind to explaining behavior is seriously confused.

Read More ›
synaps-with-neurons-in-the-background-neurotransmitters-in-synaptic-junction-information-transmission-in-the-brain-stockpack-adobe-stock
Synaps with neurons in the background, neurotransmitters in synaptic junction, information transmission in the brain

Neuroscience Has Never Provided Much Evidence for Materialism

In a chapter of the new book, Minding the Brain, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor points out that many great neuroscientists were non-materialists

Great neuroscientists weren’t dualists in spite of the evidence but because of it. Their research really did not support a materialist view of the mind.

Read More ›
zen-garden-meditation-stone-background-with-stone-and-lines-in-sand-for-relaxation-balance-and-harmony-spirituality-or-spa-wellness-stockpack-adobe-stock
zen garden meditation stone background with stone and lines in sand for relaxation balance and harmony spirituality or spa wellness

Philosopher: I Accept Dualism But Don’t Believe in the Soul

David Chalmers, whose background is in physics, talks to Robert Lawrence Kuhn at Closer to Truth about his struggle to accept that the mind is immaterial

David Chalmers, the New York University philosopher who coined the term “Hard Problem of Consciousness” was willing to take the risk of openly identifying as a dualist — that is, he believes that, on evidence, the human mind is immaterial. On that view, widely accepted worldwide, the human being has a dual nature: a material body and an immaterial mind. But Chalmers draws the line at believing in the existence of a soul. Here is his discussion at Closer to Truth with Robert Lawrence Kuhn, “Is the ‘Soul’ Immortal?” (May 4, 2021, 9:06 min): The claim that human beings have or are an ‘immortal soul’ goes back to the ancient Greeks, if not further. In a pre-scientific world, it would Read More ›

this-experimental-painting-features-swirls-of-black-grey
This experimental painting features swirls of black, grey, purple, and white paints.

The Nature of Mind, Body, and Soul

How do the mind, the body, and the soul interact? After years of studying the brain, there are still many questions. Dr. Joshua Farris discusses free will, consciousness, and philosophy on this bingecast with Dr. Michael Egnor. Additional Resources Dr. Joshua Farris Dr. Michael Egnor Buy Dr. Joshua R. Farris’ Book: The Soul of Theological Anthropology Cartesian Exploration What is Read More ›

gray-maze-with-mechanic-brain-stockpack-adobe-stock
Gray maze with mechanic brain

Mysteries of the Mind

It’s hard to know where the brain ends and the mind begins. How can studying our brains give us insight into our minds? Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and neurosurgeon Michael Egnor sit down for a chat about all things brain related including neurotheology, methods of studying the brain, and other mind/brain phenomena. Additional Resources Andrew Newberg’s Website Michael Egnor at Discovery.org Read More ›

unlocking-the-mysteries-of-life-and-death-concepttwo-human-figures-join-together-with-bright-rays-and-keyhole-between-them-stockpack-adobe-stock
Unlocking the Mysteries of Life and Death concept.Two human figures join together with bright rays and keyhole between them.

Why Cartesian Dualism?

Materialism is dead. There are simply too many questions left unanswered after years of studying the brain. Now, people are scrambling for a new way to understand the mind-body relationship. Cartesian dualism has become a whipping boy in philosophy, but it has advantages over the alternatives. Dr. Joshua Farris discusses Cartesianism and philosophy with Dr. Michael Egnor. Show Notes 01:27 Read More ›

3d-rendering-of-human-brain-on-technology-background-stockpack-adobe-stock
3d rendering of human  brain on technology background

Neurotheology: Spirituality and the Brain

Neurotheology is the study of the relationship of our religious and spiritual selves and our brains. How can studying our brains give us insight into our minds? Dr. Michael Egnor interviews Dr. Andrew Newberg on neuroscience, methods of studying the brain, and how our minds and brains are related. Show Notes Additional Resources