Philip Clayton, a scholar and activist, discusses changing conversations around mind and consciousness, science engaged theology, panpsychism, mental causal power, and guardrails for theological thinking. Tripp and Phil delve into the intersection of science, philosophy, and theology, exploring various perspectives on the natural world, mind evolution, process theology, emergentism, God's creation, and divine life.
Mind metaphysics discourse has evolved, allowing open discussion on the reality of mind.
Intellectual climate offers diverse prospects for theologians and scientists amidst chaos and constructive reflection.
Emergence perspective in philosophical dialogues challenges dualism and physicalism, emphasizing the interplay between consciousness and the natural world.
Deep dives
Exploring the Evolution of Ideas on Mind and Emergence
Discussions on the nature of mind have evolved over time, with past taboos fading away. In the late 20th century, there was reluctance to discuss mind metaphysics. This skepticism prevailed until approximately 1974, when a shift towards acknowledging the reality of mind began. Contrastingly, recent years have seen a transformation, allowing open discourse on the pervasiveness and reality of mind, marking a significant shift in philosophical discussions.
Redefining Theological and Scientific Dialogues
The evolving climate of intellectual discussions offers diverse prospects for theologians and scientists alike. With multiple stances and interpretations available, there is an abundance of options to consider. This wide-open climate, while fostering constructive reflection, also generates a sense of chaos as various stances vie for attention, displaying both the positive opportunities for discourse and the challenges of diverse perspectives.
Navigating the Challenges in Philosophy and Science Intersections
Philosophical and scientific dialogues present challenges in reconciling differing viewpoints, particularly concerning mind and emergence. Dualism and physicalism encounter criticisms for their limitations, leading to the emergence of a rich theological perspective. The emergence perspective offers a nuanced understanding, emphasizing the importance of conscious life's emergent phenomena and the interplay between the natural world and complex entities.
Challenges in Reconciling Process Theology with Traditional Metaphysics
Engaging with the challenge of reconciling process theology with traditional metaphysics, the episode delves into the struggle faced by Christian theologians in adopting Whitehead's metaphysics. The discussion highlights the tension between adapting Whitehead's ideas to align with biblical scriptures and the flexibility afforded to theologians following other philosophical traditions. The episode underscores the difficulty encountered by process theologians when modifying their beliefs, contrasting it with the latitude given to theologians adhering to different philosophical frameworks.
Panpsychism and Proto-Panpsychism: New Perspectives on Mental Causation
Exploring the realms of panpsychism and proto-panpsychism, the episode delves into the concept of mental causation and its significance in philosophy. The conversation navigates the idea of a universal mental dimension inherent in all life forms, challenging traditional views of consciousness. By considering the emergence of life as a prolonged process, the episode examines how panpsychism offers a holistic perspective on mentality, emphasizing the interplay between physical and mental states in understanding existence and transformative theological reflections.
Philip Clayton returns to the podcast! This conversation was inspired by an online academic conference I put together as part of the God & the Book of Nature project at the University of Edinburgh titled the Mindfulness of Nature. You can find videos of all the papers from the gathering here.
As a scholar, Philip Clayton (Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology) works at the intersection points of science, philosophy, and theology. As an activist (president of EcoCiv.org, President of IPDC), he works to convene, facilitate, and catalyze multi-sectoral initiatives toward ecological civilization.
In the conversation, we discuss…
how the conversation around mind and consciousness is changing
the dramatically changing character of science engaged theology
can confessional theologians fully engage the sciences?
how panpsychism became a live option in philosophy and science
Tripp gets uncomfortable when Phil makes him pick between his position and John Cobb’s
is there mental causal power?
Tripp ends up venting about philosophical theologians who complain without understanding Whitehead
the correct answer is pneumaterialism
are there guardrails for theological thinking?
how does a process theologian end their emails? “keep it zesty”
