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Loading... The Evolution of the Soulby Richard Swinburne
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Belongs to SeriesGifford Lectures (1982-1984)
Men have evolved from animals, and animals from inanimate matter, but what has evolved is qualitatively different from the inanimate matter from which it began. Both men and the higher animals have a mental life of sensation, thought, purpose, desire, and belief. Although these mental statesin part cause, and are caused by, brain states, they are distinct from them. Richard Swinburne argues that we can only make sense of this interaction by supposing that mental states are states of a soul, a mental substance in interaction with the body. Although both have a rich mental life, humansouls, unlike animal souls, are capable of logical thought, have moral beliefs, have free will, and have an internal structure (so that their beliefs and desires are formed largely by other beliefs and desires inherent in the soul). Professor Swinburne concludes that there is no full scientificexplanation available for the evolution of the soul, and almost certainly there never will be.For this revised edition Professor Swinburne has taken the opportunity to strengthen or expand the argument in various places, to take account of certain developments in philosophy and cognitive science in the intervening years, and to add new discussion of important matters relating to the themesof the book, including connectionism and quantum theory. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)128.1Philosophy and Psychology Philosophy Of Humanity The Human Condition SoulLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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“Evolution of the Soul” is interesting, but disappoints where it counts. There’s probably better contemporary literature on the mind-body problem.
2.4/5 ( )