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

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 Searles contingent correlation, Timothy OConnors emergent necessitation, Colin McGinns mysterian naturalism, David Skrbinas panpsychism and Philip Claytons pluralistic emergentist monism. Moreland concludes that these approaches should be rejected in favor of what he calls the Argument from Consciousness.

Chapter One: The Epistemic Backdrop for Locating Consciousness in a Naturalist Ontology

Chapter Two: The Argument from Consciousness

Chapter Three: John Searle and Contingent Correlation

Chapter Four: Timothy OConnor and Emergent Necessitation

Chapter Five: Colin McGinn and Mysterian Naturalism

Chapter Six: David Skrbina and Panpsychism

Chapter Seven: Philip Clayton and Pluralistic Emergentist Monism

Chapter Eight: Science and Strong Physicalism

Chapter Nine: AC, Dualism and the Fear of God 

J.P. Morelandis 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 Philosophyand Metaphilosophy. He has authored, edited or contributed to thirty-five books including Universals(McGill-Queens), Naturalism: A Critical Analysis(Routledge) and Does God Exist?(Prometheus).