Synopses & Reviews
This is the first major response to the new challenge of neuroscience to religion. There have been limited responses from a purely Christian point of view, but this takes account of eastern as well as western forms of religious experience. It challenges the prevailing naturalistic assumption of our culture, including the idea that the mind is either identical with or a temporary by-product of brain activity. It also discusses religion as institutions and religion as inner experience of the Transcendent, and suggests a form of spirituality for today.
Synopsis
This is the first major response to the challenge of neuroscience to religion. It considers eastern forms of religious experience as well as Christian viewpoints and challenges the idea of a mind identical to, or a by-product of, brain activity. It explores religion as inner experience of the Transcendent, and suggests a modern spirituality.
About the Author
JOHN HICK is a world-renowned philosopher of religion. He is the author of numerous books, translated into sixteen languages. He has taught in Britain and the United States and lectured in many countries. His Gifford Lectures, An Interpretation of Religion, received the Grawemeyer Award for new religious thinking.
Table of Contents
PART I * Religion as Human Institutions * Spirituality and Mysticism * What is Religious Experience? * 'By Their Fruits You Will Know Them' * PART II * The Neurosciences' Challenge to Religious Belief * Caveats and Questions * Mind-Brain Identity? * Current Naturalistic THeories * The Alternative Possibility * Freewill? * PART III * The Epistemological Problem * The Epistemological Solution * Any Particular Religion? * Responses to Religious Diversity * A Philosophy of Religious Pluralism * Pluralism and the Religions * Spirituality for Today * After Death? * Summarising Conclusion * Bibliography * Index