Consciousness and the Existence of God

[Pages:258]Consciousness and the Existence of God

In Consciousness and the Existence of God, J.P. Moreland argues that the existence of finite, irreducible consciousness (or its regular, law-like correlation with physical states) provides evidence for the existence of God. Moreover, he analyzes and criticizes the top representative of rival approaches to explaining the origin of consciousness, including John Searle's contingent correlation, Timothy O'Connor's emergent necessitation, Colin McGinn's mysterian ``naturalism,'' David Skrbina's panpsychism and Philip Clayton's pluralistic emergentist monism. Moreland concludes that these approaches should be rejected in favor of what he calls ``the Argument from Consciousness.''

J.P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University. He has published over 60 articles in journals that include Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy and Metaphilosophy. He has authored, edited or contributed to thirty-five books including Universals (McGill-Queen's), Naturalism: A Critical Analysis (Routledge) and Does God Exist? (Prometheus).

Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Religion

Peter Byrne, Marcel Sarot, and Mark Wynn

1 God and Goodness A natural theological perspective Mark Wynn

2 Divinity and Maximal Greatness Daniel Hill

3 Providence, Evil, and the Openness of God William Hasker

4 Consciousness and the Existence of God A theistic argument J.P. Moreland

Consciousness and the Existence of God

A theistic argument

J.P. Moreland

First published 2008 by Routledge 270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

Simultaneously published in the UK by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Moreland, James Porter, 1948?

Consciousness and the existence of God: a theistic argument / By J.P.

Moreland.

p. cm. ? (Routledge studies in the philosophy of religion)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Consciousness. 2. Naturalism. 3. Theism. I. Title.

B808.9.M67 2008

2120.1?dc22

2007037875

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 0-203-92933-0 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 978-0-415-96240-7 (hbk) ISBN 978-0-203-92933-9 (ebk)

J.P. Moreland's intriguing and well-informed book argues forcefully for the view that a theistic explanation of human consciousness is the only viable alternative to an implausibly strong form of reductive physicalism in the philosophy of mind. It deserves close attention from philosophical naturalists and theists alike, and is written in an engaging and accessible manner that makes it suitable material for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and philosophical theology.

E.J. Lowe, Durham University

In Consciousness and the Existence of God, J.P. Moreland develops a ground breaking, rigorous, systematic case against naturalism and for theism in light of the evident reality of consciousness. His engagement with contemporary naturalism is vigorous, thorough, and fair. This is essential reading for those with interests in metaphysics and epistemology in general, and philosophy of mind and philosophy of religion in particular.

Charles Taliaferro, St. Olaf College

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