The Wondering Brain: Thinking About Religion With and Beyond Cognitive Neuroscience

by Bulkeley; Kelly

• ISBN13: 9780415938419
• ISBN10: 0415938414
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-02
• Publisher: ROUTLEDGE

Summary

The explosion of new research in cognitive neuroscience has revealed fascinating dimensions of the human brain/mind system. But even as it brings us closer to understanding how the mind works, science is producing more, and perhaps even larger questions. What further powers and abilities are latent within us? The Wondering Brainargues that the profound questions raised by cognitive neuroscience may best be answered through a dialogue with religion. Kelly Bulkeley argues that cognitive neuroscience, seen in the light of religion, is a unique source of insight into the natural groundings of faith, morality, love, ecstasy, and revelation. And religion, seen in the light of cognitive neuroscience, is a powerful cultural system whose most valuable function is to stretch and expand our basic cognitive capacities. Kelly Bulkeley's deep engagement with both religious thinking and the workings of cognitive neuroscience is a constantly surprising book, full of stories that catch the reader in theunexpected place between two supposedly irreconcilable ways of being in the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(10)
I. Spheres of Wonder	3	(3)
II. Presidential Proclamation 6158	6	(5)
1 Dreams and Visions	11	(42)
I. The Young Man's Dreams	13	(4)
II. "Brain on Fire": A First Look at Cognitive Neuroscience	17	(18)
III. "Not My Human Mind": A First Look at Religious Studies	35	(8)
IV. The Young Man's Dreams, Anew	43	(10)
2 Sexual Desire	53	(46)
I. Angela Amid the Roses	55	(2)
II. Mating Games and Climactic Mysteries	57	(10)
III. Sex and the Sacred	67	(26)
Religion and Psychology Interlude I: How Freud Fares	82	(11)
IV. The Passion of Lester Burnham	93	(6)
3 Creative Madness	99	(44)
I. Teen Spirit	101	(1)
II. The Neuroscience of Creativity and Madness	102	(8)
III. Religion, Music, and the Brain	110	(23)
Religion and Psychology Interlude II: How Jung Fares	126	(7)
IV. No Recess	133	(10)
4 Contemplative Practice	143	(40)
I. "Recite!"	145	(4)
II. Cognitive Neuroscience on Reality, Consciousness, and Meditation	149	(11)
III. Mysticism, Reconsidered	160	(16)
Religion and Psychology Interlude III: How James Fares	165	(11)
IV. The Satanic Verses	176	(7)
Conclusion: The Evolution of Wonder	183	(18)
I. War and Wonder	187	(6)
II. The Rainbow	193	(8)
Endnotes	201	(12)
Bibliography	213	(6)
Index	219