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The Philosophical Journey, 2/e
William Lawhead, The University of Mississippi

The Search for Ultimate Reality

Contemporary Connections

Our Chemical Makeup

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.


The Human Genome Project

Human Genome Project Information
(http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/home.html)

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)
The National Human Genome Research Institute
(http://www.genome.gov/)

Detailed introduction to the project and multiple links
Human Genome Research
(http://www.er.doe.gov/production/ober/hug_top.html)

Overview of project with timeline and history
Ethical, Legal, Social Implications of the Human Genome Project
(http://www.kumc.edu/gec/prof/geneelsi.html)

Collection of links compiled by the Genetics Education Center (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Chemistry and the Brain

Serotonin and judgment
(http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/serotonin.html)

Newsletter about the link between serotonin levels and destructive behavior from the Society for Neuroscience
Serotonin
(http://www.csuchico.edu/psy/BioPsych/serotonin.html)

Overview of serotonin's effects on behavior from the Department of Psychology (Cal State, Chico)
Addiction's path
(http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/addiction.html)

Newsletter about the brain changes involved in addiction from the Society for Neuroscience
Dopamine- A Sample Neurotransmitter
(http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html)

Discussion of role played by dopamine in drug addiction from the Addiction Science Research and Education Center (University of Texas)
Brain Briefings
(http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/index.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
The Anti-Depressant Waiting Game Part I: The Chemistry of Depression
(http://depression.about.com/library/weekly/aa051500.htm?iam=dpile_1&terms=serotonin)

Non-technical but detailed article by Nancy Schimelpfening about brain chemistry basics and the relation to depression; links to further article parts
Man Asserts Prozac® Defense at Bombing Trial
(http://www.ndsn.org/MARCH96/PROZAC.html)

Brief overview of case in which a man pled diminished capacity and lessened responsibility owing to chemicals in his system

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.



Zygon Center for Religion and Science
(http://zygoncenter.org/)

Site with up-to-date articles and newsletters on issues bearing on science and religion
Science and Spirit
(http://www.science-spirit.org/)

Site devoted to exploring links between science and spirituality
Research News in Science and Theology
(http://www.researchnewsonline.org/)

Online magazine exploring relationship of science, religion, and health; by subscription but past issues available online
The Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences
(http://www.ctns.org/)

Site devoted to bridging the gap between religion and science; good list of links to related sites
Some of Einstein's Writings on Science and Religion
(http://condor.stcloudstate.edu/~lesikar/einstein/)

Links to writings by Einstein collected by Prof. Lesikar (St. Cloud State University)
Do Science and Christianity conflict?
(http://www.bede.org.uk/boyce.htm)

Transcript of talk by Kenneth A. Boyce (Truman State University)
Christianity and Science are Compatible!
(http://mb-soft.com/public/duality.html)

Article from BELIEVE Religious Information Source
Theology and science: Current Issues and Future Directions
(http://www.meta-library.net/rjr/index-frame.html)

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.