Consciousness and the Existence of God: A Theistic Argument [Paperback]

J. P. Moreland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0415989531 | ISBN-13: 978-0415989534 | Edition: 1

In Consciousness and the Existence of God, J.P. Moreland argues that the existence of finite, irreducible consciousness (or its regular, law-like correlation with physical states) provides evidence for the existence of God. Moreover, he analyzes and criticizes the top representative of rival approaches to explaining the origin of consciousness, including John Searle’s contingent correlation, Timothy O’Connor’s emergent necessitation, Colin McGinn’s mysterian "naturalism," David Skrbina’s panpsychism and Philip Clayton’s pluralistic emergentist monism. Moreland concludes that these approaches should be rejected in favor of what he calls "the Argument from Consciousness."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J.P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University. He has published over 60 articles in journals that include Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy and Metaphilosophy. He has authored, edited or contributed to thirty-five books including Universals (McGill-Queen’s), Naturalism: A Critical Analysis (Routledge) and Does God Exist? (Prometheus).

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (June 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415989531
• ISBN-13: 978-0415989534
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,189,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With degrees in philosophy, theology, and chemistry, I have taught theology and philosophy at several schools throughout the U.S. I have authored or co-authored several dozen books including Kingdom Triangle, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview; Christianity and the Nature of Science; Scaling the Secular City; Does God Exist?; Immortality: The Other Side of Death; and The Life and Death Debate: Moral Issues of Our Times. I am a co-editor of Christian Perspectives on Being Human and Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus. My academic work appears in journals and periodicals such as Christianity Today, Philosophia Christi, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, and The American Philosophical Quarterly. I served with Campus Crusade for 10 years, planted two churches, and I have spoken on over 200 college campuses. Presently, my wife and I attend the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough... as always. September 18, 2009

By F. Barfety

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

JP Moreland provides a detailed review of the latest theories about Consciousness. Difficulty wise, it's as advertised, written for scholars and students, but well worth it for anyone interested in the subject and wants to take their reading skills to the next level. JP doesn't burn bridges with the people he critics. Like a teacher he simply lays out what they're doing right and where and why they err, leaving an inviting door wide open. I just ordered The Recalcitrant Imago Dei: Human Persons and the Failure of Naturalism (Veritas) and have listened to a CD from the Evangelical Philosophical Society website ([...] with a lecture from JP on Consciousness. Like this book, the content of that one hour lecture/Q&A was priceless. JP is a great mentor with the interest of your soul at heart.