Needless to say, I loved this new review of The Spiritual Brain by Bryan Appleyard in the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he says of my lead author Montreal neuroscientist Mario Beauregard:
The great strength of his position is the folly of the materialists. Beauregard continually draws attention to the scientifically dubious basis of their leap of faith. They argue that it must be so and then set about proving it. Their triumphalism – driven by big publishing deals – is their greatest weakness.
There are plenty of examples …
The nicest thing about a review like Appleyard’s is that, agree or disagree, he sees what WE see – plenty of bumph marketed as the “assured results of modern science.”
As applied to neuroscience, Mario Beauregard and I call it “neurobullshipping.”
By the way, the Philly Inquirer recently published a review of Mike Behe’s Edge of Evolution that identified the book’s argument, instead of attempting to discourage anyone from reading it.
And re Appleyard: here is a link to Appleyard’s review of Frank Tipler. He agrees with me in finding Tipler interesting – more interesting in his sheer eccentricity as a Christian materialist (!) than many dull drudges who churn out approved sludge.
Also at Mindful Hack:
Yes, Mario Beauregard and Denyse O’Leary really ARE non-materialists. And we utter worse heresies yet …
Dutch expert on near death experiences loves The Spiritual Brain.
Monk-led protest against Myanmar generals’ regime now underheavy assault
Why brain scans cannot tell whether you are religious or not
Smart birds spur scientists to rethink intelligence
At the Post-Darwinist: The universe next door: Buddhists confront science – and materialism