Recent research is probing ever more deeply into the foundations of human biology. Those contributing to the Human Genome Project, for example, are mapping the human genetic code and discovering possible genetic factors for a host of diseases. Others have revealed significant correlations between levels of certain chemicals, such as serotonin or dopamine, and human behavior. What impact should such studies have on our conceptions of ourselves? How do they bear on the issue of the relative plausibility of physicalism and dualism? What implications do they have for our understanding of addiction and for the reasonableness of believing in metaphysical freedom? Use the links below to begin exploring such questions.
Extensive site with information about the nature of the project, media stories, links about ethical, legal, and social issues, etc. (supported by the U.S. Department of Energy) (
http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/home.html
)
Newsletter about the link between serotonin levels and destructive behavior from the Society for Neuroscience (
http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/serotonin.html
)
Newsletter about the brain changes involved in addiction from the Society for Neuroscience (
http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/addiction.html
)
Discussion of role played by dopamine in drug addiction from the Addiction Science Research and Education Center (University of Texas) (
http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html
)
Newsletters from the Society for Neuroscience giving brief overviews of applications of discoveries in neuroscience; page also includes links to further information about the brain (
http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/index.html
)
Non-technical but detailed article by Nancy Schimelpfening about brain chemistry basics and the relation to depression; links to further article parts (
http://depression.about.com/library/weekly/aa051500.htm?iam=dpile_1&terms=serotonin
)
The Fate of the Cartesian Compromise
In Descartes' day being a scientist could be very dangerous. When their methods and conclusions clashed with the ideas of the Church, scientists were often condemned as heretics and punished with imprisonment, torture, and even death by burning at the stake. One item on Descartes' agenda when writing his Meditations on First Philosophy was to create room in society for both science and religion. According to Descartes' dualist perspective, the physical and mental/spiritual domains are distinct parts of reality. His Cartesian compromise expresses the idea that the physical realm can be best explained by science, whereas the mental or spiritual domain is the purview of religious enquiry. Is any such compromise thinkable in today's world? What do you see as the appropriate relation between science and religion? Use the links below to begin exploring the general question of this relation. For a more detailed look at potential sources of conflict centering around the big bang theory and evolution see the Contemporary Connections in Chapter 4.
Online magazine exploring relationship of science, religion, and health; by subscription but past issues available online (
http://www.researchnewsonline.org/
)
Lengthy discussion by Robert J. Russell (Director of Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, Berkeley)For a more detailed look at particular issues of potential conflict (the big bang, evolution, and creationism) see the Contemporary Connections for Chapter 4. (
http://www.meta-library.net/rjr/index-frame.html
)
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