Science, Consciousness and Ultimate Reality Edited by David Lorimer July 2004, 250 pages ISBN 0 907845 797 (paperback), $29.90 / £17.95 Search Inside the Book at Amazon.com Search Inside the Book at Amazon.co.uk Secure ordering "Every chapter is worth reading and Guy Caxton's is a gem."  Theology

The Science, Consciousness  and Ultimate Reality project was set up with the support of the John Templeton Foundation in order to examine critical issues at the interface between science, religion and the relatively new field of ‘consciousness studies’. The results give a variety of fascinating perspectives on this emerging area.

David Lorimer has brought together an impressive list of contributors representing the diverse fields of physics, neuroscience, psychology, theology and moral philosophy: Denis Alexander, Bernard Carr, Chris Clarke, Guy Claxton, Peter Fenwick, David Fontana, John Habgood, Mary Midgley, Ravi Ravindra, Alan Torrance and Keith Ward.
 

"The book reads relatively free of obfuscatory jargon, no doubt because of the interaction among the authors from their co-participation in conferences and lectures on the theme. This exchange among the contributors/presenters has produced a high degree of focal centrality in the overall text." Metapsychology

"To present a range of viewpoints is commendable, especially when most of the individual essays are distinctly good." Neil Spurway, European Society for the Study of Science and Theology News

"It is hardly possible to exaggerate the timeliness of the theme . . . This is a book which most readers of this journal should relish."  David Hicks, The Christian Parapsychologist.

"This is a compulsory read. . . . These essays are at the cutting edge of the ultimate questions of human existence. Where are we now? What is the self? How does everything fit together?"  Max Payne, Network

"Vital in light of researchers' growing realization that the foundational philosophy of science should accomodate mind-matter interaction."  Science and Theology News

"There is much we can learn from this intelligent, well argued and paradigm testing book. We should take advantage of it."  Michael Baigent, Freemasonry Today

Contributors

Editor’s Introduction, David Lorimer   full text

Physics

Mind and the Cosmos, Bernard Carr

Quantum Mechanics, Consciousness and the Self, Chris Clarke

Yoga, Physics and Consciousness, Ravi Ravindra

Neuroscience, Psychology

Neurophysiology, Consciousness and Ultimate Reality, Peter Fenwick

Proximal Spirituality: Why the Brains of Angels are Different from Ours, Guy Claxton

Science, Religion and Psychology: The Case for the Transpersonal, David Fontana

Theology

Human Nature and the Soul, Keith Ward

Theism, Naturalism and Cognitive Science: Can the Academy make Sense of Itself?,  Alan Torrance

Ethics

Mind and Body: The End of Apartheid, Mary Midgley

Science, Faith and Human Values, Denis Alexander

Science and Human Responsibility: On Being a Person, John Habgood