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Haunted by the Ghost in the Machine. Commentary on “The Spirituality of Human Consciousness: A Catholic Evaluation of Some Current Neuro-scientific Interpretations”

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Abstract

Metaphysical and epistemological dualism informs much contemporary discussion of the relationships of science and religion, in particular in relation to the neurosciences and the religious understanding of the human person. This dualism is a foundational artifact of modern culture; however, contemporary scientific research and historical theological scholarship encourage a more holistic view wherein human personhood is most fittingly understood as an emergent phenomenon of, but not simply reducible to, evolutionary and developmental neurobiology.

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Notes

  1. The Ecumenical Roundtable on Science, Technology and the Church is comprised of the following denominational initiatives: the Episcopal initiative on Science, Technology and Faith (http://episcopalscience.org. Accessed 18 July 2012); the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s initiative on Faith, Science and Technology (http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Faith-Science-and-Technology.aspx. Accessed 18 July 2012); the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith (http://www.pastcf.org. Accessed 18 July 2012); the Roman Catholic initiative on Science and Human Values (http://old.usccb.org/shv. Accessed 18 July 2012); the United Church of Christ Science and Technology Network (http://www.ucc.org/science. Accessed 18 July 2012); and a United Methodist initiative (http://www.wesnex.org. Accessed 18 July 2012).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith, 222 Cameron Street, Summerville, SC, 29483, USA

    James B. Miller

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  1. James B. Miller
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Correspondence to James B. Miller.

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Miller, J.B. Haunted by the Ghost in the Machine. Commentary on “The Spirituality of Human Consciousness: A Catholic Evaluation of Some Current Neuro-scientific Interpretations”. Sci Eng Ethics 18, 503–507 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-012-9389-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-012-9389-0

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