Mind and Emergence

From Quantum to Consciousness
Erscheinungsjahr 2004
ISBN: 978-0-19-927252-5
Verlag: Oxford University Press

Buch, Englisch, 248 Seiten, Format (B × H): 138 mm x 216 mm

Is it true that the universe evolves through an ever-expanding series of levels from quantum states to consciousness? Philip Clayton introduces the non-expert to emergence theory, one of the most revolutionary claims to be made about the natural world in recent years, and its significance for religion. Emergence is based on the recognition that the world continually produces new patterns, new structures, and new types of causal forces. Clayton discusses whether a transcendent force is luring the natural world toward higher forms of existence, or whether basic forces in the natural world are producing ever more complex phenomena, including the life of the mind and the ideas of spirit and of God (immanent emergence). He then offers a reformulation of Christian theology that brings it more in line with the new emergence-based understanding of the natural world.

Contents/contributors

- 1 From Reduction to Emergence

- 2 Defining Emergence

- 3 Emergence in the Natural Sciences

- 4 Emergence and Mind

- 5 Emergence and Transcendence

Zielgruppe

Scholars and readers interested in the field of `religion and science', theologians, metaphysicians, philosophers of science, scientists.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Clayton, Philip

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Geschichte der Physik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Wissenschaften: Theorie, Epistemologie, Methodik
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Philosophie des Geistes, Neurophilosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie

Über Autor(innen)

Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology; Professor of Philosophy and of Religion, Claremont Graduate University