Egnor explains why not and goes on to cite the Big Bang, singularities in black holes, and the field equations of curved space-time, quantum entanglement, and — of course — the immaterial mind.
Tag: Michael Egnor
At Mind Matters News: The reality of the mind: The argument from epilepsy
Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor asks, Why do epileptic seizures evoke many odd behaviors but not abstract thought?
At Mind Matters News: Michael Egnor takes a more jaundiced view of Richard Lewontin
Michael Egnor asks, re Richard Lewontin, Is it scientific misconduct to make science about materialist atheism?
At Mind Matters News: Quantum physics: Is everything determined? Egnor vs. Papineau, Round 6
Physicalist philosopher David Papineau is clearly unhappy with the implications of quantum mechanics, as neurosurgeon Michael Egnor sets them out.
At Mind Matters News: Can traditional philosophy help us understand mind vs. brain?
In the Western world, the traditional view of the soul originated with Greek philosophers, chiefly Aristotle and Plato.
At Mind Matters News: Egnor vs. Papineau Round 4, Egnor defends the mind vs. the brain
It became quite the dustup actually. Egnor deals with the brain as an organ, not a theory, and doesn’t see it as equivalent to the mind. Papineau differs.
At Mind Matters News: Round 3: Egnor vs Papineau: The Big Bang has no natural beginning
David Papineau: I am not claiming that every physical event has a physical cause, because I think the Big Bang doesn’t have a cause. I think there’s some physical events that don’t have physical causes.
Round 2: Naturalist philosopher replies to neurosurgeon Michael Egnor
Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor was permitted the opening statement. Now here’s Papineau’s reply (partial transcript).
At Mind Matters News: Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor takes on philosopher David Papineau, Round 1
In the debate, Egnor begins by offering three fundamental reasons why the mind is not the brain.
Michael Egnor: Is neurotheology just a “brain prosperity gospel”?
Egnor: Neurotheology stamps a scientific imprimatur on the profoundly misguided doctrine that if you believe in God, if you observe the Sabbath, if you never fail to pray your rosary, your brain is better! Your frontal lobes get better blood flow, your hypothalamic neurotransmitters are better balanced, and your cerebellum is more finely tuned! But for what? A cerebral facelift?
At Mind Matters News: Trying to disprove free will shows that materialism doesn’t work
To deny free will, biologist Jerry Coyne tries, once again, to defeat the implications of quantum mechanics, neuroscience, and logic.
Michael Egnor is asked: If IQ is inherited, is the intellect simply material?
Egnor: The intellect and will depend on but are not created by bodily functions, senses, and memory. They are, however, affected by deficits in these areas.
Michael Egnor to Jerry Coyne: Why the universe itself can’t be the most fundamental thing
Egnor: The cause of the universe must be something other than the universe itself and must have the power to cause things independently of the laws of nature. That is what all men call God.
Physicist and philosopher Bruce Gordon on panpsychism
The main reason that interest in panpsychism is growing is probably the inability of materialism to provide a coherent account of consciousness.
Bruce Gordon and Michael Egnor: Why idealism is actually a practical philosophy
Gordon thinks idealism (= reality is first and foremost a mental phenomenon) is defensible, reasonable, and too easily discarded.