J. P. Moreland Knihy

A singularly powerful and rigorous argument in favor of modern substance dualism In The Substance of A Comprehensive Defense of Contemporary Substance Dualism , two distinguished philosophers deliver a unique and powerful defense of contemporary substance dualism, which makes the claim that the human person is an embodied fundamental, immaterial, and unifying substance. Multidisciplinary in scope, the book explores areas of philosophy, cognitive science, neuroscience, and the sociology of mind-body beliefs. The authors present the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and rigorous non-edited work on substance dualism in the field, as well as a detailed history of how property and substance dualism have been presented and evaluated over the last 150 years. Alongside developing new and updated positive arguments for substance dualism, they also discuss key metaphysical notions and distinctions that inform the examination of substance dualism and its alternatives. Readers will also Perfect for professional philosophers, The Substance of Consciousness will also earn a place in the libraries of consciousness researchers, philosophical theologians, and religious studies scholars.

This volume is a significant contribution to the philosophy of mind, particularly substance dualism, which has recently seen a resurgence in scholarly interest. Once dismissed as outdated, substance dualism is now being reexamined by a growing number of philosophers who challenge previous objections and misunderstandings. This anthology is unique in its pro-contra format, featuring contemporary writings from leading proponents and critics of dualism. It facilitates rigorous discourse on dualist and physicalist perspectives regarding human persons. Chapters delve into various forms of substance dualism—such as emergent, Thomistic, and Cartesian—while engaging with physicalist theories like animalism and non-reductive physicalism. The editors, Loose, Menuge, and Moreland, pair essays from dualist advocates with critiques from physicalist opponents, allowing readers to explore contrasting viewpoints within thematic sections. This structure provides nuanced introductions for students and stimulates the interest of professional philosophers eager to deepen their understanding. Skillfully curated, the volume connects contemporary science with analytic theology, striking a balance between advocacy and criticism. It serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars, and students in philosophy, theology, and neuroscience.