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The Evolution of the Soul

by Richard Swinburne

Series: Gifford Lectures (1982-1984)

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891306,583 (3.88)1
Men have evolved from animals, and animals from inanimate matter, but what has evolved is qualitatively different from the inanimate matter from which it began. Both men and the higher animals have a mental life of sensation, thought, purpose, desire, and belief. Although these mental statesin part cause, and are caused by, brain states, they are distinct from them. Richard Swinburne argues that we can only make sense of this interaction by supposing that mental states are states of a soul, a mental substance in interaction with the body. Although both have a rich mental life, humansouls, unlike animal souls, are capable of logical thought, have moral beliefs, have free will, and have an internal structure (so that their beliefs and desires are formed largely by other beliefs and desires inherent in the soul). Professor Swinburne concludes that there is no full scientificexplanation available for the evolution of the soul, and almost certainly there never will be.For this revised edition Professor Swinburne has taken the opportunity to strengthen or expand the argument in various places, to take account of certain developments in philosophy and cognitive science in the intervening years, and to add new discussion of important matters relating to the themesof the book, including connectionism and quantum theory.… (more)
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Perhaps I went into this book with the wrong expectations, but I found it disappointing. There are really interesting and thought provoking discussions along the way; however, as far as giving an evolutionary account of the soul in animals, Swinburne tosses his hands up and says “it’s a mystery!”. Fine and well if you’re me; not fine and well if you’re writing a book titled “The Evolution of the Soul”. Secondly, where Swinburne does attempt to describe the evolutionary development of the mental life (thought, sensation, belief, desire, and purpose), it’s rife with “well, obviously natural selection would select for such-and-so” with little justification. Moreover, these assumptions have been seriously challenged by Plantinga’s evolutionary argument against naturalism and the subsequent discussion. (To be fair, this book is from 1986 and Plantinga’s EAAN didn’t get a serious treatment until 2002). Last, Swinburne’s argument for why souls can persist past death of the body is “lol God”. True, but ultimately unsatisfying.

“Evolution of the Soul” is interesting, but disappoints where it counts. There’s probably better contemporary literature on the mind-body problem.

2.4/5 ( )
  ZacharyTLawson | Jul 10, 2019 |
no reviews | add a review

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Gifford Lectures (1982-1984)
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Men have evolved from animals, and animals from inanimate matter, but what has evolved is qualitatively different from the inanimate matter from which it began. Both men and the higher animals have a mental life of sensation, thought, purpose, desire, and belief. Although these mental statesin part cause, and are caused by, brain states, they are distinct from them. Richard Swinburne argues that we can only make sense of this interaction by supposing that mental states are states of a soul, a mental substance in interaction with the body. Although both have a rich mental life, humansouls, unlike animal souls, are capable of logical thought, have moral beliefs, have free will, and have an internal structure (so that their beliefs and desires are formed largely by other beliefs and desires inherent in the soul). Professor Swinburne concludes that there is no full scientificexplanation available for the evolution of the soul, and almost certainly there never will be.For this revised edition Professor Swinburne has taken the opportunity to strengthen or expand the argument in various places, to take account of certain developments in philosophy and cognitive science in the intervening years, and to add new discussion of important matters relating to the themesof the book, including connectionism and quantum theory.

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