Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion
Details and Description
Description
Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion is the second title published in the new Templeton Science and Religion Series. In this volume, Malcolm Jeeves and Warren S. Brown provide an overview of the relationship between neuroscience, psychology, and religion that is academically sophisticated, yet accessible to the general reader.
The authors introduce key terms; thoroughly chart the histories of both neuroscience and psychology, with a particular focus on how these disciplines have interfaced religion through the ages; and explore contemporary approaches to both fields, reviewing how current science/religion controversies are playing out today. Throughout, they cover issues like consciousness, morality, concepts of the soul, and theories of mind. Their examination of topics like brain imaging research, evolutionary psychology, and primate studies show how recent advances in these areas can blend harmoniously with religious belief, since they offer much to our understanding of humanity's place in the world. Jeeves and Brown conclude their comprehensive and inclusive survey by providing an interdisciplinary model for shaping the ongoing dialogue.
Sure to be of interest to both academics and curious intellectuals, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion addresses important age-old questions and demonstrates how modern scientific techniques can provide a much more nuanced range of potential answers to those questions.
Table of Contents
Preface / vii
Chapter 1: Neuroscience and Psychology Today / 3
Chapter 2: Warfare versus Partnership / 12
Chapter 3: From Soul to Mind: A Brief History / 24
Chapter 4: Principles of Brain Function / 41
Chapter 5: Linking Mind and Brain / 54
Chapter 6: The Human Animal: Evolutionary Psychology / 68
Chapter 7: The Neuroscience of Religiousness / 91
Chapter 8: Science, Religion, and Human Nature / 108
Chapter 9: Getting Our Bearings: Looking Back and Looking Forward / 128
Notes / 137
Further Reading / 147
Name Index / 151
Subject Index / 155
Endorsements and Reviews
Reviews
British Journal of Psychiatry
The authors successfully weave together empirical research findings with philosophical and theological discussions to provide a clear and lucid account of this developing area of study. . . . Overall, this is an excellent book. I would fully recommend it to psychologists and psychiatrists and anyone with an interest in this area. —Simon Dein
Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith—Vol. 63, No. 2
As the title of the book indicates, the text covers an incredible amount of intellectual geography, which may seem to be more than a tad ambitious. Jeeves and Brown are up to the task, though. . . . The writing in concise, crisp, and easy to follow
This text would be an excellent accompaniment either to an upper-division undergraduate course or to an entry-level graduate survey course. —William M. Struthers
Journal of Psychology and Theology—Vol. 38, No. 1
I think every person interested in integration of Christian theology and psychotherapy should read this book. This is an excellent book. It provides a sense of broader perspective that most of us within the integration movement in psychotherapy do not have talking more about psychology than about therapy. In particular it describes how neuroscience and psychology today are practiced by neuroscientists. It does so within the context of understanding the history of the dialogue between science and religion.
The book Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion is an excellent overview of cognitive neuroscience and physiological neuroscience in light of religion and spirituality.
The Global Spiral
This book provides an excellent and very accessible overview of the state-of-the-question at the intersection of the cognitive sciences, psychology, and religion. . . . . Those looking to get up-to-speed on the discussion will thank God for this little book, particularly in terms of how the authors help us think Christianly about neuropsychology, avoiding determinism and reductionism on the one side, but also not ignoring the latest scientific developments on the other side.
[B]etween the first introductory chapter and the final chapter that both looks backward (taking stock) and forward (anticipating new vistas), the reader is given a superb introduction to how the relationship between psychology, the neurosciences, and religion have developed, particularly in the last century and a half. Endnotes, a “Further Reading” list, indexes, and a number of helpful color figures add to the usefulness of this book for both undergraduate and (introductory) graduate courses on science and religion. —Amos Yong
For the complete review, see The Global Spiral
First Things—New York, NY
In Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion, they attempt to sort out the human, and in particular the religious, implications of recent discoveries. They provide a readable overview of the history of their field and of what has been learned so far about the structure and functioning of the human brain.
PsycCRITIQUES—Vol. 54, No. 21
Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion: Illusions. Delusions, and Realities about Human Nature will be of primary interest to generalist psychologists with minimal knowledge in neuroscience or the psychology of religion, or to persons with backgrounds in religious studies with an interest in understanding basic neurological issues in this area. . . . Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religion can serve as a very good primer to understand historical perspectives regarding the dualistic nature of humankind, as well as current issues in the neuroscientific study of spirituality.
Books and Culture—March/April Issue
The purpose of the book is to introduce non-scientists to some of the developments in contemporary neuroscience, and to reflect on the significance of these findings for people of faith. Jeeves and Brown do an excellent job of this.
The Scientific and Medical Network
This unusual book is a collaboration between two neuropsychologists who are also Christians. They give an overview of various aspects of the field, including science and religion, how the soul became the mind, the mind-brain relationship, evolutionary psychology and the neuroscience of religious experience. All these concepts are clearly explained.
ESSSAT News
Finally a book that will make you breathe more freely if you are interested in an objective and realistic concept of science and religion. It is very well written and pleasurable to read.
Malcolm Jeeves and Warren S. Brown have amply accomplished their aim to “present a more holistic and complex view of the brain and human nature.” Thinking from the standpoint of non-reductive physicalism or dual-aspect monism, they set a firm base for everyone interested in the science-religion dialogue.
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