Desert Rose got a review copy of “The Immortal Mind“, and she loves it. Her mom loves it. And two of her neightbors love it, too. It’s made a huge splash. Although the material is scientific evidence, it’s written in a way that non-scientists can understand. And these are interesting topics to talk about with skeptics, atheists, and non-Christians. Let’s take a look at what’s in the book.

The book is about what the best explanation is for our mental experiences: consciousness, abstract thought, and free will. Basically, what is the “mind”? One view is that your mind is just your physical brain. That’s called “materialism”. Then there is “dualism”, where you are your mind, and you interact with your physical body. Which way does the evidence point?

Here’s the description of the new book:

Many scientists and doctors believe that there is no such thing as the soul. That there is no part of us that persists beyond death. We are not spiritual in any respect. We are made up of cells and tissue, and completely controlled by a material organ in our heads: the brain.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael Egnor, practicing neurosurgeon, neuroscientist and Professor of Neurosurgery at Stony Brook University, makes the case—based on 40 years of practice and over 7,000 brain surgeries—that science has gotten it all wrong. The human brain is incredible, mysterious, and powerful. But it’s not what makes us who we are. The soul does that.

Drawing on the most important research studies in neuroscience, Dr. Egnor presents evidence that the brain alone does not explain the mind. He explores, using modern neuroscience and his vast surgical experience, how inside every damaged brain there is a thinking, feeling person with a spiritual soul that transcends the brain. He argues that scientists can locate the parts of the brain that control the body or sensations or emotions, but they can’t find the seat of reason or free will. He uses fascinating case studies to show how cutting-edge brain surgery on patients who are awake, how research on conjoined twins who share parts of their brains, on patients in deep coma who are still able to communicate with people around them, on near-death experiences, and on artificial intelligence all make a scientific case for the existence of the spiritual human soul.

Engaging, thought-provoking, and groundbreaking, The Immortal Mind shows here that some aspect of who we are is spiritual and immortal, transcending the physical body. Using science, he proves the existence of the human soul.

You can pre-order the book here.

I know that there are great arguments for the soul in philosophy, like persistent identity over time, or intentionality. But somehow, I just feel that it is more persuasive to talk about the scientific evidence, and that’s what this book does.

When it comes to Creator and Designer, I have 6 arguments that use scientific evidence:

1. origin of the universe
2. cosmic fine-tuning
3. origin of life
4. fossil record
5. habitability
6. molecular machines

What I’d really like is to get a seventh argument added to my list. Another argument for falsifying naturalism / materialism that is based on scientific evidence. Run up the score! 7-0. Sounds like a football game now.

There is a GREAT pre-order goody if you order the book before May 31st. You get a free digital copy of “Minding the Brain“. It has articles by people you might recognize: Taliaferro, Menuge, Farris, Egnor, Marks, Gordon, Habermas! Lots of different topics by different authors, kind of like “The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith”, which is one of my favorite books.

I already bought Minding the Brain on Kindle, but if you like making an argument for the the soul, then it’s a great collection of chapters from some of the best scholars, and the digital version is free if you pre-order “The Immortal Mind”. Let me know in the comments if you have ever done prep to make an argument for the soul.