The Mind/Brain Debate and the Afterlife

Modern thought is the arena for an important and hotly debated subject: is consciousness simply the sum of all neural and chemical activity in the brain, or does “mind” exist independently of brain function? What has been termed, the "reductionist" point of view” is skeptical of the existence of independent consciousness. For example, Francis Crick who was awarded the Nobel prize (along with American James Watson in 1962) for discovering the double-helix structure of DNA—is a well-known contemporary representative for the materialist viewpoint. In a study carried out over a period of years he stated that: "our minds—the behavior of our brains—can be explained by the interactions of nerve cells (and other cells) and the molecules associated with them."

On the other side, there are researchers working with such phenomena as NDE (near death experience) who reach a far different conclusion: consciousness exists using brain function something like a filter, but continues to exist after brain function ceases at death. These scientists and researches argue that Crick and others are clinging to an extreme point of view. "It is like saying that the cathedral is a pile of stones and glass. It is true, but too simplistic and it misses the point," says Michael Reiss, professor at the University of London. Along this fault line are grouped many other issues as well concerning spirituality, materialism, science and religion.

Here is an interesting article outlining some of the questions being raised today in contemporary research.