The Soul, Consciousness, and Language From a Scientific and Philosophical Perspective
Does science support either a theistic or a materialistic view of the human person? Does consciousness present a problem for science?
In the video below Joseph Miller, The Purposeful Universe project lead, discusses the four levels of consciousness and how scientific discoveries about language and human self-consciousness play into the theism/materialism debate in his talk entitled ”In Search of an Adequate Anthropology: What Can Science and Psychology Tell Us About Ourselves?” Mr. Miller’s talk was part of the Science and Faith Lecture Series at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Topics in this video:
Theism to Materialism
6:00–10:30
Why did almost everyone believe in God in A.D. 1500, and why is it so difficult to believe in God in the 2000s?
Epicycles and Paradigm Shift
10:30–14:30
When a new scientific discovery radically redefines a previously conventional belief, there is a crisis. Some experts try to hold on to their firmly held beliefs that are being disproved by the new discovery, and a paradigm shift is required to make the new discovery widely accepted as the new normal.
The Soul as a Model Revolution
14:30–18:10
Human souls and consciousness are topics that create a crisis for materialism.
Mind Versus Brain and the Four Levels of Consciousness
18:10–19:50
How is consciousness defined and understood?
Artificial Intelligence
19:50–25:22
How is human consciousness different from artificial intelligence? Could artificial intelligence ever match or surpass human consciousness?
Animal Intelligence
25:22–29:39
How is human intelligence different from animal intelligence?
Human Intelligence
29:39–37:58
What is unique about human intelligence and consciousness? How are language, consciousness, and rationality connected?
The Five Transcendental Desires
37:58–40:20
Humans have five innate desires for perfect truth, beauty, goodness, love, and being/home. Why is this?
Near Death Experiences
40:20–48:15
What are near death experiences and what do they indicate about human life?
