While arguing against Michael Egnor’s view, Dr. Faizal Ali finds himself in an argument with himself:
Dr. Ali contradicts himself. First, he argues that it’s no surprise that cutting the brain in half and separating the cerebral hemispheres, as Sperry did, has no effect on abstract thought. Then he argues, in connection with Penfield’s seizure research, that abstract thought is the wholly material result of delicate complex connections within the brain: (“what is needed [for abstract thought from brain connections] is a [metaphorical] trained concert pianist”).
In short, he argues that it’s no surprise that cutting the brain in half has no effect on abstract thought, and then he argues that delicate complexity and interconnection is essential for abstract thought. Dr. Ali is debating Dr. Ali.
To understand the materialist folly better, consider the three kinds of neuroscientific evidence that can be used to evaluate materialist vs. dualist claims: correlation, evocation, and ablation.
What is abstract thought, Part II, “Can materialism explain abstract thought? Part II” at Mind Matters News
See also: A reply to Dr. Ali
Also by Michael Egnor on the immaterial mind:
Materialism is an intellectual trap, out of which neuroscience needs to climb Neurologist Steven Novella refutes himself. He first asserts that everything he knows is an illusion. Then he insists that his illusions slap him in the face with reality.
Four researchers whose work sheds light on the reality of the mind The brain can be cut in half, but the intellect and will cannot. The intellect and will are metaphysically simple
Atheist psychiatrist misunderstands the evidence for an immaterial mind. Patients with massive brain damage were shown to have a mental life.
and
Materialism is an intellectual trap, out of which neuroscience needs to climb. Neurologist Steven Novella refutes himself. He first asserts that everything he knows is an illusion. Then he insists that his illusions slap him in the face with reality.