25. The Believing Brain: How Iain McGilchrist rediscovered the soul
Jul 23, 2024
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Atheist neuroscientists revisit a 25-year-old bet on consciousness, hinting at a resurgence of belief in the soul. Discussions on atheist-materialist views, panpsychism, and dualism in understanding consciousness. Ex-atheist Jen Fulwiler shares her journey to belief in God. Iain McGilchrist uncovers how a new mind understanding leads back to God.
Consciousness's mystery challenges neuroscience, with subjective experiences eluding physical explanations.
Emergent materialist views face resistance from philosophers like Chalmers, highlighting consciousness's unexplained aspects.
McGillchrist's theory on brain hemispheres exposes cultural left-brained dominance impacting societal issues.
Dismissal of intangible aspects leads to a crisis of meaning, mental health challenges, and societal disconnect.
Deep dives
25-Year Bet on Consciousness Among Philosophers
Philosopher David Chalmers recounts winning a case of wine after a 25-year bet with neuroscientist Christoph Koch on consciousness. Koch believed neuroscience would solve human consciousness, while Chalmers differed, asserting a need for more than material understanding. Chalmers' win in 2023 acknowledged neuroscience's failure to solve the mind's mystery despite significant efforts.
Challenges in Understanding Consciousness
Consciousness remains a mysterious phenomenon, essential for life's meaning. Philosopher Chalmers emphasizes the challenge of explaining why we have conscious experiences and inner movies. While neuroscience delves into brain activities, the 'hard problem of consciousness' persists, questioning how physical brain processes lead to subjective experiences.
Divergent Views on Consciousness
Emergent materialist views by scientists like Daniel Dennett argue that consciousness emerges from brain activity. However, philosopher Chalmers disputes such reductionist accounts, citing the inadequacy in explaining subjective experiences solely through physical processes. This divergence marks the ongoing debate within the field of consciousness studies.
Ian McGillchrist's Analysis on Left and Right Brain Dominance
Ian McGillchrist's thesis on brain hemispheres suggests a dominance of left-brained thinking in culture. The left hemisphere's focus on grasping details contrasts with the right hemisphere's holistic comprehension, impacting societal structures. McGillchrist links this imbalance to crises like the meta-crisis and mental health issues, highlighting the loss of meaningful connections, nature appreciation, and spiritual engagement.
Consequences of Materialist Views on Culture
Materialist assumptions in culture limit the understanding of non-measurable aspects like art, empathy, and spirituality. The dismissal of abstract qualities leads to a meaning crisis, mental health challenges, and societal disconnect. Philosopher McGillchrist ties these repercussions to a loss of vital relationships, nature appreciation, and spiritual connections, contributing to a broader meta-crisis.
Ian McGillchrist's Perspective on Faith and Consciousness
Ian McGillchrist delves into the intersection of faith and consciousness in his book, "The Matter with Things." Despite skepticism, he includes a challenging chapter about a divine source underlying the mind and cosmos, emphasizing the complexity and richness of the cosmos. McGillchrist's panentheist belief posits that God transcends all things while being immanent in each, advocating for a deeper understanding of the sacred beyond conventional religious portrayals.
Jen Fullwiler's Journey from Atheism to Christianity
Jen Fullwiler's path from atheism to Catholicism was sparked by motherhood, challenging her materialist worldview. Her experience of unconditional love for her child led her to question the limits of atheism. Through intellectual exploration and encounters with believers, Fullwiler embraced the possibility of a divine reality. Her unexpected journey culminated in finding resonance in Christianity as she recognized the undeniable presence of something greater than material explanations.
Why did atheist neuroscientist Christoph Koch recently lose a 25-year-old bet on consciousness? Why is 'panpsychism' in fashion? And could the latest research on the brain be pointing us back towards God?
Justin speaks to scientists and philosophers such as Sharon Dirckx and Philip Goff on the surprising turn away from atheist materialism. Ex-atheist Jennifer Fulwiler shares her story of realising love must be more than brain chemistry and influential thinker Iain McGilchrist reveals how a new understanding of the mind is pointing us back to God.
