So what is neurotheology?
Neurotheology has been defined as "science’s attempt at explaining religion within the physical aspect of the brain using rational thought”…is a unique field of scholarship and investigation that seeks to understand the relationship specifically between the brain and theology, and more broadly between the mind and religion. Neuroscientists have found ways to detect and measure the varieties of religion experiences by using brain scanning technology but there is still one of the deepest mysteries in science which is the nature of ‘consciousness’.
In the book ‘Atoms & Eden’ , Andrew Newberg (a physician) explained how NEUROSCIENTISTS who study spirituality say that MIND COULD EXIST INDEPENDENTLY OF THE BRAIN.
An interesting study was made when Franciscan nuns were praying and meditating and it was shown that important parts of their brain activated while praying. One important part was the frontal Lobe. While praying they would lose their sense of self, no longer seeing a distinction between who they are and the actual prayer process itself. Some people call this a feeling of connectedness or oneness. Another part that changes is the Parietal lobe. He did and compared different studies with meditators and other groups of practitioners… the most fascinating result was that he saw very different changes in the brain which concludes that different types of religious, practices and beliefs seem to be associated with different changes in the brain. At the end he was asked if consciousness exist outside the brain? He responded there was no answer, and it’s open to both possibilities… Do you think consciousness exist outside the brain?
An interesting study was made when Franciscan nuns were praying and meditating and it was shown that important parts of their brain activated while praying. One important part was the frontal Lobe. While praying they would lose their sense of self, no longer seeing a distinction between who they are and the actual prayer process itself. Some people call this a feeling of connectedness or oneness. Another part that changes is the Parietal lobe. He did and compared different studies with meditators and other groups of practitioners… the most fascinating result was that he saw very different changes in the brain which concludes that different types of religious, practices and beliefs seem to be associated with different changes in the brain. At the end he was asked if consciousness exist outside the brain? He responded there was no answer, and it’s open to both possibilities… Do you think consciousness exist outside the brain?
My answer to the prompt is yes, I do think that consciousness exists independently of the brain. My reasons for thinking so weren't directly addressed by any of the readings for class this week, but all of them touched on some aspect of the consciousness debate. While I disagree with Dennet that natural selection eliminates the concept of an immaterial soul, I did find a lot of his analysis interesting and thought-provoking. His point that artificial intelligence is a discussion that could prove as controversial as the evolution debate was surprising on the surface, but upon deeper analysis, it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteNewberg's research was interesting in that I can see it being used both to confirm and to deny an immaterial consciousness. It raises the question as to why and how brain activity is involved in transcendent experiences; whether these experiences are purely physical or in reaction to a different consciousness.
To be entirely honest, I'm not sure what to make of the Barbour reading. He brought up some interesting epistemological points that I think I would need to discuss or research more in-depth before I could bring any intelligent opinions to the discussion. What I basically got from the reading was that all of our experiences are derived from a much less objective foundation than is often assumed.
I think it is obvoious that consciousness depenends on the brain. Science has shown that during prayer, the brain was active, and being used. To me this means that consciousness cannot be aware to a person without the use of their brain, thus making it nonexistent without the brain. The brain is always being used, and in essence i do not believe any cognitive, mental, even physical process is completely independent of the brain. Consciousness relies on awareness and without the brain, humans have no awareness.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see is that the mind (consciousness) is independent of the brain because when speaking about the brain, it relates to the physical body. However most conscious activities occurs with the use of the brain, such as thinking and other bodily functions are controlled by the brain. The mind to me seems to transcend the body because with the mind, one can seem to define the physical world by doing things that seem impossible for them, such as thinking that something is possible for them. Then again when think about physical consciousness, I often think about brain activities which can be measured by EEG's or fMRI's. In regards to spiritually, I think that I am somewhat in the middle because when one mediate, it feels that the mind can take one to anywhere on Earth or universe despite physically being in one place. In other words, when I However in order to do that, one must be able to think that they're going somewhere with the use of their brain.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the readings, I agree with the section in "Atoms and Eden" when the interviewer prompt the interviewee with a question about meditation because when I mediate I feel like my consciousness is outside of my body and I am alone and zoned out in my own space.
Overall, I thought the reading made wonderful use of brain imaging technology when it came to investigating individuals who meditate.
I agree with Nathan that I see the two as dependent on each other. In the book he talks a lot about mapping the brain and what brain activity looks like when we have a religious experience. But this changes with each activity we do throughout the day. I can lose myself in a good book, a run, and a lot of activities you have learned to do so well. I dont think that means they are spiritual or that they are independent of the mind. I also feel the same when I am relaxing on the beach. Just because the brain isnt working as hard its still working. I dont know the idea just seems really absurd to me.
ReplyDeleteI think Neurotheology needs to be taken with a grain of salt, as such brain activity described in the study is true of anyone with a single-minded focus. Whether it is a nun prayer, a Buddhist meditating, or an intellectual studying, the frontal lobe will have increased activity at the cost of physical awareness. How many times have we all been really wrapped up in something only to be startled by someone we had no idea was there? These are a couple of reasons why I would agree with Nathan that the mind/consciousness is dependent and contingent upon the brain.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very sensitive topic, in the sense that we are trying to figure out exactly where consciousness lies within the brain. I believe they are one in the same, almost like how we view the soul and body. One might even argue that consciousness could be the soul. What about when we dream? How does that differ from thinking, or meditating?
ReplyDeleteI think it's dangerous to link consciousness an awareness. Think of a person in a coma who's body is not functional but inside is still fully aware. Furthermore, when we dream we certainly have a level of consciousness and awareness that is beyond our control. Our mind still makes choices, we just are not choosing them (or are we). So yes, I would say that ultimately we are able to break away thought from the mind to a higher level of consciousness.
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