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Questioning Faith
Am I Just My Brain?
Modern research is uncovering more and more detail of what our brain is and how it works. We are living, thinking creatures who carry around with us an amazing organic supercomputer in our heads. But what is the relationship between our brains and our minds—and ultimately our sense of identity as a person? Are we more than machines? Is free-will an illusion? Do we have a soul? Brain Imaging Scientist Sharon Dirckx lays out the current understanding of who we are from biologists, philosophers, theologians and psychologists, and points towards a bigger picture, that suggests answers to the fundamental questions of our existence. Not just "What am I?", but "Who am I?"—and "Why am I?" Read this book to gain valuable insight into what modern research is telling us about ourselves, or to give a sceptical friend to challenge the idea that we are merely material beings living in a material world.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2019
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April 6, 2020
Compelling arguments for the existence of the mind as a non-material entity and consciousness. Excellent engagement with a range of viewpoints on the subject, leading to considerations on near death experience, cognitive stimulation and origins of religious belief. A great read as a believer or non believer alike.
November 26, 2019
I was listening to an online debate which considered the topic of panpsychism (The idea that everything is conscious to some degree) when I heard about this book. As it seemed to consider that perennial, but vital, problem for philosophy of the “mind-brain” problem I decided to give it a try.
It is quite clearly a book of two parts. The first part considers the problem that are encountered when we try to take a simple materialistic viewpoint of the mind and the limitations that still exist when we adopt any of the dualist positions. These arguments are well described and the strengths and weakness of each position well delineated. In particular the problems we encounter with the issues of free will and personhood, when we adopt a unitary materialistic (You are your brain) position, are well made. This is a useful counterpoint to much of the current media which feels that this issue has been solved.
I can remember working through this period when the advances in the neurosciences seemed to leave little room for the mind. There seemed to be little need to consider the psyche as we could now explain everything by looking at the brain. Certainly this approach played great dividends in my specialised area (dementia) but it never seem to offer any hope of help to those poor souls troubled by purely turmoil in the mind. Indeed the only real change was that psychiatry seemed to change from being ‘brainless’ to become simply ‘mindless’.
The first part of the book is successful but the second half is, unfortunately, less so. The latter portion of the book takes the stance that, if there is evidence that consciousness is best looked in a non-material way (qualitatively rather than quantitatively), then we can take this as proof for the Christian beliefs. I found this much harder to take for two reasons. Firstly the arguments were less well laid out and argued and secondly I felt she presumed faith on the reader’s part. I think someone who is already a believer would find the statements convincing. However, a reader who does not already have religious faith (especially if this is not Christian) will find this half of the book heavy with statements lacking convincing support.
Overall, an interesting read, brief but engaging, initially at least.
It is quite clearly a book of two parts. The first part considers the problem that are encountered when we try to take a simple materialistic viewpoint of the mind and the limitations that still exist when we adopt any of the dualist positions. These arguments are well described and the strengths and weakness of each position well delineated. In particular the problems we encounter with the issues of free will and personhood, when we adopt a unitary materialistic (You are your brain) position, are well made. This is a useful counterpoint to much of the current media which feels that this issue has been solved.
I can remember working through this period when the advances in the neurosciences seemed to leave little room for the mind. There seemed to be little need to consider the psyche as we could now explain everything by looking at the brain. Certainly this approach played great dividends in my specialised area (dementia) but it never seem to offer any hope of help to those poor souls troubled by purely turmoil in the mind. Indeed the only real change was that psychiatry seemed to change from being ‘brainless’ to become simply ‘mindless’.
The first part of the book is successful but the second half is, unfortunately, less so. The latter portion of the book takes the stance that, if there is evidence that consciousness is best looked in a non-material way (qualitatively rather than quantitatively), then we can take this as proof for the Christian beliefs. I found this much harder to take for two reasons. Firstly the arguments were less well laid out and argued and secondly I felt she presumed faith on the reader’s part. I think someone who is already a believer would find the statements convincing. However, a reader who does not already have religious faith (especially if this is not Christian) will find this half of the book heavy with statements lacking convincing support.
Overall, an interesting read, brief but engaging, initially at least.
July 23, 2025
Sharon Dirckx gives a compact introduction to the so-called mind-brain problem, i.e. what is the relationship between the mind and the brain. Is mind=brain (reductive physicalism), is the mind more than the brain but the brain generates (all of) the mind (non-reductive physicalism), or is the mind beyond the brain (substance dualism)?
Dirckx introduces those three different approaches and investigates their implications, particularly relating to free will. Towards the end, there is a focus on the non-physical approach and how it relates to the Christian faith.
In the third chapter, she gives a quote from a philosophy professor, who distinguishes between two problems in this context. The „easy“ problem (which is not so easy after all): explaining correlations between conscious experience and brain activity; and the „hard“ problem: accounting for conscious experience in the first place.
One thought experiment from this chapter stuck in my mind. It’s called „Mary’s room“. Very roughly explained the thought experiment considers a person, Mary, who is a scientist with a detailed knowledge of all physical, chemical, biological aspects related to human vision. Mary was also born blind. One day she miraculously gains vision, and the question is: Does she learn anything new about vision, actually seeing stuff for the very first time? The author of the thought experiment makes the point that if the answer is yes, then physical facts alone cannot explain the first-person experience.
What I like is that Dirckx, coming from a Christian perspective, also explains alternative views (although briefly as this is a brief book), particularly relating to the nature of religion. She gives her take on some approaches to „explain religion away“, e.g. religion results from human error, religion is a product of evolution, or stems from our genes.
To me personally, a decisive question is „Is there any non-physical/ non-naturalistic part of reality“. Today, I would not only say yes, but I would say that the non-naturalistic part is actually the more relevant one. A core part of the Christian faith is that the relational part of reality (relationship to God and to humans) is more fundamental than the rational (or physical) part of reality - a thought that feels almost blasphemous considering the implicit philosophical assumptions mainly communicated during 8 years of education in the natural sciences.
I have never read a book (including this book) on the relationship between science and faith/ religion where afterwards I thought the Christian worldview is a logical necessity. There are some points where I always think „but that does not follow necessarily“. But each time it is a challenging and enriching experience, coming from the perspective of a firm Christian biblical faith.
Dirckx illustrates how the Christian faith is compatible with neuroscientific discoveries, with observed correlations between brain activity and conscious experience etc. Apart from the quite interesting thought experiments and discussed neuroscientific studies, one key takeaway to me is that a theistic Christian worldview is not by default any less intellectually plausible than any other, especially a purely naturalistic atheistic one. Each time I read a book on some part of relationship between science and faith, there is the same thought at some point of the book: there’s a part which is logical necessity and „facts“ (like classifications and statements such as that any worldview, atheistic or theistic, is a statement of faith and not deducible purely from observations of the physical reality around us), and then there is part which is a plausible train of thought, assumptions + implications, laying out and balancing different possibilities with varying degree of plausibility. But you never get from 0 to 1 in one continuous line - there’s the infamous leap of faith.
Dirckx introduces those three different approaches and investigates their implications, particularly relating to free will. Towards the end, there is a focus on the non-physical approach and how it relates to the Christian faith.
In the third chapter, she gives a quote from a philosophy professor, who distinguishes between two problems in this context. The „easy“ problem (which is not so easy after all): explaining correlations between conscious experience and brain activity; and the „hard“ problem: accounting for conscious experience in the first place.
One thought experiment from this chapter stuck in my mind. It’s called „Mary’s room“. Very roughly explained the thought experiment considers a person, Mary, who is a scientist with a detailed knowledge of all physical, chemical, biological aspects related to human vision. Mary was also born blind. One day she miraculously gains vision, and the question is: Does she learn anything new about vision, actually seeing stuff for the very first time? The author of the thought experiment makes the point that if the answer is yes, then physical facts alone cannot explain the first-person experience.
What I like is that Dirckx, coming from a Christian perspective, also explains alternative views (although briefly as this is a brief book), particularly relating to the nature of religion. She gives her take on some approaches to „explain religion away“, e.g. religion results from human error, religion is a product of evolution, or stems from our genes.
To me personally, a decisive question is „Is there any non-physical/ non-naturalistic part of reality“. Today, I would not only say yes, but I would say that the non-naturalistic part is actually the more relevant one. A core part of the Christian faith is that the relational part of reality (relationship to God and to humans) is more fundamental than the rational (or physical) part of reality - a thought that feels almost blasphemous considering the implicit philosophical assumptions mainly communicated during 8 years of education in the natural sciences.
I have never read a book (including this book) on the relationship between science and faith/ religion where afterwards I thought the Christian worldview is a logical necessity. There are some points where I always think „but that does not follow necessarily“. But each time it is a challenging and enriching experience, coming from the perspective of a firm Christian biblical faith.
Dirckx illustrates how the Christian faith is compatible with neuroscientific discoveries, with observed correlations between brain activity and conscious experience etc. Apart from the quite interesting thought experiments and discussed neuroscientific studies, one key takeaway to me is that a theistic Christian worldview is not by default any less intellectually plausible than any other, especially a purely naturalistic atheistic one. Each time I read a book on some part of relationship between science and faith, there is the same thought at some point of the book: there’s a part which is logical necessity and „facts“ (like classifications and statements such as that any worldview, atheistic or theistic, is a statement of faith and not deducible purely from observations of the physical reality around us), and then there is part which is a plausible train of thought, assumptions + implications, laying out and balancing different possibilities with varying degree of plausibility. But you never get from 0 to 1 in one continuous line - there’s the infamous leap of faith.
July 12, 2022
Picked it up on a whim at a conference as it connected with my recent explorations of the slightly fringe topics of consciousness studies, metaphysics, the paranormal, near-death experiences, and more.
On the whole, this book is a helpful introduction on the topic of consciousness from a Christian perspective. I appreciated it. It lays out the various models currently on offer, discusses their various histories, strengths and weaknesses, and then argues for the existence of the soul, consciousness, and more.
Along the way the author deals with, among other things, the determinism espoused by Sam Harris, and the reductive physicalism of someone like atheist Daniel Dennett who basically argues that consciousness is not really a thing that needs explaining. Furthermore, issues of AI consciousness are touched upon as well.
This seems to be an increasingly relevant topic as more and more people shift away from pure naturalistic materialism towards some other set of philosophical assumptions. Leading thinkers in our culture are pondering these profound mysteries in a new way.
I think this short and helpful book can serve to prepare thoughtful Christians to be conversant on these matters and have the confidence in their convictions.
On the whole, this book is a helpful introduction on the topic of consciousness from a Christian perspective. I appreciated it. It lays out the various models currently on offer, discusses their various histories, strengths and weaknesses, and then argues for the existence of the soul, consciousness, and more.
Along the way the author deals with, among other things, the determinism espoused by Sam Harris, and the reductive physicalism of someone like atheist Daniel Dennett who basically argues that consciousness is not really a thing that needs explaining. Furthermore, issues of AI consciousness are touched upon as well.
This seems to be an increasingly relevant topic as more and more people shift away from pure naturalistic materialism towards some other set of philosophical assumptions. Leading thinkers in our culture are pondering these profound mysteries in a new way.
I think this short and helpful book can serve to prepare thoughtful Christians to be conversant on these matters and have the confidence in their convictions.
April 12, 2024
I was working at a conference in Poland and told as an employee I could pick one book for free from the bookstore. It was a Christian conference and ironically I was working through my deconstruction/reconstruction of faith. I had been listening to many podcasts and talks (all non-Christian POVs) about the human brain and whether or not religion is just a by-product of how our brain is wired. This is something I’ve been grappling with these past few years, is God actually just “in” my brain?
Dirckx makes good arguments from a Christian POV, but I have to say I didn’t find this book entirely biased. While she speaks from a Christian POV, she became a Christian later in life and references all manners of worldview and various works throughout this book. A lot to chew on after reading. I appreciated the “further reading” section as well.
Dirckx makes good arguments from a Christian POV, but I have to say I didn’t find this book entirely biased. While she speaks from a Christian POV, she became a Christian later in life and references all manners of worldview and various works throughout this book. A lot to chew on after reading. I appreciated the “further reading” section as well.
June 29, 2021
Good book for introducing neuroscience
It was a little rudimentary on the science but I enjoyed the authors message. Would like to go a little more in depth with some of the principles.
It was a little rudimentary on the science but I enjoyed the authors message. Would like to go a little more in depth with some of the principles.
September 12, 2023
This was a good overview of the mind-brain problem and a decent defense of substance dualism given the short length of the book. The short nature of the book prevents it from becoming overwhelmingly convincing in any one section, however.
July 16, 2024
Good lil book exploring what is the brain and what is the mind (or are they the same thing?) bonus points for unpronounceable author name :-)
November 2, 2021
Pseudoscientific Dribble
Brief read, but brief is how the author tries to hand wave complex scientific questions and research away after only a few sentences of introduction. The full last third of the blessedly short book is (not so) subtlety trying to sway the reader to Christianity.
Treating human consciousness as some pinnacle of divine invention shows incredible hubris. Never does the author consider the (likely) prospect that we are just an imperfect and ever evolving trial of natural phenomena. Just because we cannot currently understand how consciousness arises (however you define consciousness), that does not require the invocation of invisible forces (God the broadcaster).
I’d be interested in how she rationalizes the possibility of conscious minds arising on other worlds. Did Jesus die and rise there,too? If so, wouldn’t that make the sacrifice less ima truly and more like a “job”? Would the Bible necessarily need to be the same text - just inscribed in another language?
Not a serious coverage of the question posed. Just a reason to recruit - poorly executed.
Brief read, but brief is how the author tries to hand wave complex scientific questions and research away after only a few sentences of introduction. The full last third of the blessedly short book is (not so) subtlety trying to sway the reader to Christianity.
Treating human consciousness as some pinnacle of divine invention shows incredible hubris. Never does the author consider the (likely) prospect that we are just an imperfect and ever evolving trial of natural phenomena. Just because we cannot currently understand how consciousness arises (however you define consciousness), that does not require the invocation of invisible forces (God the broadcaster).
I’d be interested in how she rationalizes the possibility of conscious minds arising on other worlds. Did Jesus die and rise there,too? If so, wouldn’t that make the sacrifice less ima truly and more like a “job”? Would the Bible necessarily need to be the same text - just inscribed in another language?
Not a serious coverage of the question posed. Just a reason to recruit - poorly executed.
January 29, 2020
This is an excellent primer on the mind-body problem that reviews all major views in a highly readable style. Note that this book’s author is a Christian-theist and, therefore, the book is written from that viewpoint. This is a worthwhile book written by a scholar with a science background (PhD in brain imaging).
January 22, 2021
Interesting read on neuroscience and Christianity. The author is well versed in philosophy and brain science. She is well respected in her field, research and studies. It’s one of those books you have to read at a slower pace. It takes time to think and digest some of the deeper thoughts she touches on in this short book.
June 3, 2023
A general survey of attitudes toward consciousness and the mind and the brain, but perhaps because this is also meant to be a Christian resource, it is too blatantly organized to segue into the religious conversation, and doesn’t make as much sense as a survey.
Permeated with proofs that aren’t really rigorous. Maybe this is a helpful book for many but I just expected something different.
Permeated with proofs that aren’t really rigorous. Maybe this is a helpful book for many but I just expected something different.
July 2, 2019
Really good read!
May 24, 2024
Overall idea and review:
Excellent on the topic through and through. I’ve never considered the three main views—mind is the brain, brain generates the mind, mind is beyond the brain (but influenced by it)—but throughout her book, she does so, and shows that the latter two can be Christian, but it seems the third view fits by far most. But best of all in this book is how she interacts with the views also from a scientific/study-based way. Very helpful. Would totally recommend to anyone struggling with this. (Which, I think, more people may have a subtle angst about this than we realize, since science seems to say to us we are just our brains…)
Favorite Ideas:
- The fact that our thoughts can impact our neurons, which seems backwards, is a fascinating reality to think about. It shows we must be more than our brains. See 49-50 and “downward causation.”
- Some people being in a vegetable state, but somehow being conscious, was also fascinating (see 57-58)
- Many parts of the brain have been shown to impact parts of us and our minds, but none have impacted the sense of who you are. Very interesting… See 69
- The view of Thomistic dualism, which seems to be right: “the view that conscious states exist beyond the brain but are also causally connected to the brain. A holistic dualist accepts and welcomes the discoveries of modern neuroscience but would add that they are not the whole story. Further, the non-phsycial can change the physical in other areas of life…” (70)
- Her critique of religious tendencies proving that religion is false is excellent. “That would be a bit like saying knowledge of the software design behind Facebook rules out the existence of Mark Zuckerberg.” Right. “Perhaps we are wired for God because God exists?” (100)
- “Brains don’t think. People think using their brains.” (120)
General Notes:
- The three options—mind is the brain, brain generates the mind, mind is beyond the brain (but influenced by it)—were well explained
- Thinking about the complexities of consciousness was helpful
Things I Didn’t Particularly Like:
- Nothing. Really well done
Key Applications/Takeaways for My Life:
- Who I am, my consciousness, truly is not just material. I know that, but it’s good to be shown: It’s actually true. I am who I am, I think using my brain, but I am me, created by God, in a body, connected to my body, but also, I am me.
Excellent on the topic through and through. I’ve never considered the three main views—mind is the brain, brain generates the mind, mind is beyond the brain (but influenced by it)—but throughout her book, she does so, and shows that the latter two can be Christian, but it seems the third view fits by far most. But best of all in this book is how she interacts with the views also from a scientific/study-based way. Very helpful. Would totally recommend to anyone struggling with this. (Which, I think, more people may have a subtle angst about this than we realize, since science seems to say to us we are just our brains…)
Favorite Ideas:
- The fact that our thoughts can impact our neurons, which seems backwards, is a fascinating reality to think about. It shows we must be more than our brains. See 49-50 and “downward causation.”
- Some people being in a vegetable state, but somehow being conscious, was also fascinating (see 57-58)
- Many parts of the brain have been shown to impact parts of us and our minds, but none have impacted the sense of who you are. Very interesting… See 69
- The view of Thomistic dualism, which seems to be right: “the view that conscious states exist beyond the brain but are also causally connected to the brain. A holistic dualist accepts and welcomes the discoveries of modern neuroscience but would add that they are not the whole story. Further, the non-phsycial can change the physical in other areas of life…” (70)
- Her critique of religious tendencies proving that religion is false is excellent. “That would be a bit like saying knowledge of the software design behind Facebook rules out the existence of Mark Zuckerberg.” Right. “Perhaps we are wired for God because God exists?” (100)
- “Brains don’t think. People think using their brains.” (120)
General Notes:
- The three options—mind is the brain, brain generates the mind, mind is beyond the brain (but influenced by it)—were well explained
- Thinking about the complexities of consciousness was helpful
Things I Didn’t Particularly Like:
- Nothing. Really well done
Key Applications/Takeaways for My Life:
- Who I am, my consciousness, truly is not just material. I know that, but it’s good to be shown: It’s actually true. I am who I am, I think using my brain, but I am me, created by God, in a body, connected to my body, but also, I am me.
February 15, 2021
Dirckx is a brain imaging scientist who uses her expertise in the field of neuroscience to explore the question of whether or not there is more to what we are than can be found in the brain. But this is not a scientific book. Dirckx is clear from the start that this question, while related to science, is primarily philosophical. Is the mind just a part of the brain? Is it something different altogether? What implications do our answers to these questions have when it comes to topics like free will or moral responsibility? While these questions are informed by science, they are answered through philosophy.
In addressing these questions, Dirckx lays out the different philosophical approaches to the topic of mind. Some say we are nothing more than our brains - that consciousness is an illusion. Others say our minds emerge from our brains. More say that the mind and the brain are separate substances. In evaluating these positions, Dirckx both dives into both the science said to support them and subjects them to basic philosophical considerations. Throughout the process, she is careful to point out both some strengths and weaknesses of each proposal.
Ultimately, Dirckx lands on substance dualism - the view that the mind and the brain are separate substances - as the most reasonable view. While this easily aligns with Christian theology (a point highlights), Dirckx does not reach this conclusion from theology alone. Rather, she demonstrates throughout the book how dualism makes the most sense of our experiences and is not undermined by any of the scientific data - whether it's neuroscience or evolutionary psychology.
Overall, Dirckx has done an excellent job at writing an introduction to the discussions going on in the philosophy of mind and neuroscience. In fact, I'd go so far as to call this an essential read if you're interested in diving into that area. But note that as an introductory text it has it's limits - both in space for and depth of discussion. So this book is best used as an entry into philosophy of mind - specifically from a Christian perspective - but with the expectation that further reading will be required to gain a full understanding of the subject matter.
In addressing these questions, Dirckx lays out the different philosophical approaches to the topic of mind. Some say we are nothing more than our brains - that consciousness is an illusion. Others say our minds emerge from our brains. More say that the mind and the brain are separate substances. In evaluating these positions, Dirckx both dives into both the science said to support them and subjects them to basic philosophical considerations. Throughout the process, she is careful to point out both some strengths and weaknesses of each proposal.
Ultimately, Dirckx lands on substance dualism - the view that the mind and the brain are separate substances - as the most reasonable view. While this easily aligns with Christian theology (a point highlights), Dirckx does not reach this conclusion from theology alone. Rather, she demonstrates throughout the book how dualism makes the most sense of our experiences and is not undermined by any of the scientific data - whether it's neuroscience or evolutionary psychology.
Overall, Dirckx has done an excellent job at writing an introduction to the discussions going on in the philosophy of mind and neuroscience. In fact, I'd go so far as to call this an essential read if you're interested in diving into that area. But note that as an introductory text it has it's limits - both in space for and depth of discussion. So this book is best used as an entry into philosophy of mind - specifically from a Christian perspective - but with the expectation that further reading will be required to gain a full understanding of the subject matter.
March 14, 2024
‘brains don’t think: people think using their brains.’
i remember getting soo excited about this book when i saw it at forum. christian neuroscience!! the contents page basically just a list of questions i’ve been wrestling with but figured would be one of those ‘well God is God and i’m human - i’ll never really know’. but finally an opportunity to actually work through them.
i am so grateful for this book. it’s so refreshing to see christian scientists and sharon’s firmness is so inspiring. and she’s so right; when you actually look at the facts, there is no denying having to face these questions and having incomplete and inconclusive answers without the consideration of God.
i thought parts of the book were a bit unstructured though it’s really hard to cover such a broad area in such short space so i get that. and some arguments weren’t as convincing (e.g., the ‘God gene’ one, since there never really will be one singular gene for anything but doesn’t mean somethings not genetic).
but other parts were incredible, like the ‘is religious experience just brain activity?’ 10/10, that’s been my biggest question and she was amazing, thank you for that!! the determinism / free will discussions have given a lot for me to think about - always been more of a determinist but i’m thinking about it more now; definitely want to look into that more and explore it more biblically (maybe re read the chapter too haha).
also loved her discussions of brain and mind and body all together and all created by God, that was very cool. and her testimony is super encouraging.
ok this really reminds me how great the book was haha but yeah, thankful for this book!! really is incredible how God works
i remember getting soo excited about this book when i saw it at forum. christian neuroscience!! the contents page basically just a list of questions i’ve been wrestling with but figured would be one of those ‘well God is God and i’m human - i’ll never really know’. but finally an opportunity to actually work through them.
i am so grateful for this book. it’s so refreshing to see christian scientists and sharon’s firmness is so inspiring. and she’s so right; when you actually look at the facts, there is no denying having to face these questions and having incomplete and inconclusive answers without the consideration of God.
i thought parts of the book were a bit unstructured though it’s really hard to cover such a broad area in such short space so i get that. and some arguments weren’t as convincing (e.g., the ‘God gene’ one, since there never really will be one singular gene for anything but doesn’t mean somethings not genetic).
but other parts were incredible, like the ‘is religious experience just brain activity?’ 10/10, that’s been my biggest question and she was amazing, thank you for that!! the determinism / free will discussions have given a lot for me to think about - always been more of a determinist but i’m thinking about it more now; definitely want to look into that more and explore it more biblically (maybe re read the chapter too haha).
also loved her discussions of brain and mind and body all together and all created by God, that was very cool. and her testimony is super encouraging.
ok this really reminds me how great the book was haha but yeah, thankful for this book!! really is incredible how God works
May 17, 2020
Insightful
I love this book. I am new in the field of neuroscience but as a computer scientist I can understand the implications of believing yourself as a thinking person ( someone with a non physical mind ) or a processing person ( someone with just a physical brain ). As a daily activity, I run web project in a bank for their customers. As a web developer I build up web applications by writing instructions for the computer to perform. Why my computer process the data ? Because of the mechanism involved. If the only reason why I think is because of the mechanism of thinking it is meaningless. Otherwise I could « reasonably » conclude that I am a computer scientist as my computer can believe he is a web developer. Is it true ? No. My computer process the data in the bank I work for because I wanted. The computer is not the web developper, I am. So unless there is a great I AM who wanted me to think, there is no reason or meaning or purpose of thinking. This book goes further and give more arguments supporting that we are more than our brain and discuss the counter arguments given by atheists. They both ( atheists and Christians) have strong conclusions or answers but only the christian faith has a strong a sound fondation to support their claims.
Helpful and good read for anyone who searches answers or is exploring this field. Great book. I strongly recommend it.
I love this book. I am new in the field of neuroscience but as a computer scientist I can understand the implications of believing yourself as a thinking person ( someone with a non physical mind ) or a processing person ( someone with just a physical brain ). As a daily activity, I run web project in a bank for their customers. As a web developer I build up web applications by writing instructions for the computer to perform. Why my computer process the data ? Because of the mechanism involved. If the only reason why I think is because of the mechanism of thinking it is meaningless. Otherwise I could « reasonably » conclude that I am a computer scientist as my computer can believe he is a web developer. Is it true ? No. My computer process the data in the bank I work for because I wanted. The computer is not the web developper, I am. So unless there is a great I AM who wanted me to think, there is no reason or meaning or purpose of thinking. This book goes further and give more arguments supporting that we are more than our brain and discuss the counter arguments given by atheists. They both ( atheists and Christians) have strong conclusions or answers but only the christian faith has a strong a sound fondation to support their claims.
Helpful and good read for anyone who searches answers or is exploring this field. Great book. I strongly recommend it.
January 4, 2022
First of all, OHHH MY LORD WHAT A BOOK😭😭😭😭
This book tries basically to explain the question whether we are just a brain—implying the question of life after death, or more than that—the possibility of having a kind of soul which is apart from the brain. To this, the author starts and keeps the subject of mind and brain, trying to explore different points of view that explain the consciousness as an activity of the brain or if this could be something more than a material thing. According to that, the book seeks to answer additional questions like: “are we more than brain activity?”, “Are we more than machines?”, “Why can i think?”, etc. Also touches the subject of God and his existence, the religion and praying related to brain activity.
Finally it concludes with the idea that we are more than brains: “if you are just your brain, then you are made only for this world, and the only mantra to live by is to live well and make the most of life while you have it. Christianity says you are more than your brain—you are made for eternity”.
I loved this book. It was a really good one to introduce you to neuroscience and leaves you with the flavour on your tongue to read more about it!! Also is a plus that includes versicles to add biblical basis! It was an absolutely refresh to my soul and breaks the paradigm that science and God are not friends.
This book tries basically to explain the question whether we are just a brain—implying the question of life after death, or more than that—the possibility of having a kind of soul which is apart from the brain. To this, the author starts and keeps the subject of mind and brain, trying to explore different points of view that explain the consciousness as an activity of the brain or if this could be something more than a material thing. According to that, the book seeks to answer additional questions like: “are we more than brain activity?”, “Are we more than machines?”, “Why can i think?”, etc. Also touches the subject of God and his existence, the religion and praying related to brain activity.
Finally it concludes with the idea that we are more than brains: “if you are just your brain, then you are made only for this world, and the only mantra to live by is to live well and make the most of life while you have it. Christianity says you are more than your brain—you are made for eternity”.
I loved this book. It was a really good one to introduce you to neuroscience and leaves you with the flavour on your tongue to read more about it!! Also is a plus that includes versicles to add biblical basis! It was an absolutely refresh to my soul and breaks the paradigm that science and God are not friends.
August 25, 2024
This is a low brow book on the brain, and is more about trying to convince the reader that God is responsible for our (and all) consciousness. This fallacious assumption as usual overlooks the primary process of consciousness as a phenomenon that occurs after-the-fact. Dirckx mentions nerve conduction velocity but fails to draw the profound conclusion that this entails, that brain events occur before conscious events, that consciousness is NOT instantaneous but is a phenomenon that enters into experience after sensory information has been integrated into the brain as well as the brain projecting content back out into the body and the world via feed forward processes (i.e., the predictive brain, which is a sub-function of the projective brain). She barely touches on the evolution of brain, which is critical for any discussion on the brain, making her book virtually vacuous. Our brains evolved from initial sensory pathways to larger more complex sensory integrated circuits, and eventually to meta-circuits that built on these original circuits. The meta-circuits are those that eventually subserve conscious experience, where the brain effectively monitors itself. Again, Dirckx fails to address any of this properly (where in fact there is a lot of good research on it now). Much more can be said, but this should give the reader sufficient pause for thought.
August 13, 2022
I read an interview with the author in the book A Case for Heaven which I wanted to re-name, A Case for Hell because that author put a lot into the hell part. Anyways, this brilliant author makes a case for answering the question in the title: Yes, I am more than my brain. She does not go into the NDEs but rather neuroscience. She presents a good case for the idea that the mind is a non-material entity. She presents alternate/opposing views and then presents the flaws in those arguments. However, she does not seem to be dogmatic about her view-that there the physical brain is the only source for our minds. She seems to realize that her view might not be 100% correct. I have found that some atheist neuroscientists and philosophers and some religious people think they have the corner on the truth. This author gave me the impression that she knows there is a lot of mystery and unknown in this debate. The atheist scientists are condescending. However, religious people can be simplistic and irrational
January 3, 2024
Dirckx is a Ph.D. In brain imaging but seems to make her living as a lecturer in Oxford’s Center for Christian Apologetics (and giving lots of speeches to largely Christian audiences in the US). She is a hot ticket in the Christian Apologetics circles, relying on her expertise in brain science. I’m not naturally interested in apologetics, so I’m not the best source for a recommendation on such books. But, here we go: I found the opening chapters disjointed, in desperate need of connectivity. In an effort to make the book accessible—it is an easily understood book, I fear she left out too much, making the book too shallow. There are some chapters in the middle of the book that are quite good/interesting (the free will chapter, being my favorite). And the last couple of chapters lean toward evangelistic/testimony and less about science and the brain. I’m sorry to say that overall I did not find the book compelling. There are some good youtube videos of her interviews and lectures that convey the information better.
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June 1, 2023The material here is fine as far as it goes, but the subject matter is simply too big to fit in the confines of this "Questioning Faith" series. There's so much neurobiology, philosophy, and theology that gets shortchanged, because the series is all about keeping everything under 150 pages. "Am I Just My Brain?" works as an introduction consciousness questions, and it refreshed me on the subject a bit, but I would have a hard time recommending it to anyone unless they are extremely unfamiliar with the subject matter.
As a counter example, I enjoyed Sam Allberry's entry in this series, "Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?" That book tackled a much more specific topic in Christian ethics, making it easier for Allberry to handle relevant questions with some depth and seriousness. Dirckx seems like she understands the issues in "Am I Just My Brain?" but she's too constrained by the limitations of the series.
As a counter example, I enjoyed Sam Allberry's entry in this series, "Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?" That book tackled a much more specific topic in Christian ethics, making it easier for Allberry to handle relevant questions with some depth and seriousness. Dirckx seems like she understands the issues in "Am I Just My Brain?" but she's too constrained by the limitations of the series.
June 29, 2020
Why do I think? How is thinking possible? What is consciousness? How does God factor in?
If you’re struggling or even just curious about these and/or similar questions, READ THIS BOOK. Sharon Dirckx does a phenomenal job of exploring as explaining human consciousness. Her writing is scholarly yet easily understandable, and her tone is compassionate and relatable. She is an expert in the human brain having spent decades studying it, so she is both credible and passionate. If you’re even a bit curious about God, or maybe you’re willing to challenge your belief that He doesn’t exist, please read this book.
Parents—this book is another one to add to your arsenal to help you teach your kids about apologetics and how God relates to His world. Read this book. Have your high-school-/college-age kids read this book.
Everyone should read this book. I can not recommend it highly enough.
If you’re struggling or even just curious about these and/or similar questions, READ THIS BOOK. Sharon Dirckx does a phenomenal job of exploring as explaining human consciousness. Her writing is scholarly yet easily understandable, and her tone is compassionate and relatable. She is an expert in the human brain having spent decades studying it, so she is both credible and passionate. If you’re even a bit curious about God, or maybe you’re willing to challenge your belief that He doesn’t exist, please read this book.
Parents—this book is another one to add to your arsenal to help you teach your kids about apologetics and how God relates to His world. Read this book. Have your high-school-/college-age kids read this book.
Everyone should read this book. I can not recommend it highly enough.
January 23, 2020
Clear and easy to read. The author is a neuroscientist and a Christian. She is very open about her Christian faith and the intersection between neuroscience and spirituality is a focus of the book. The book is intended for a general audience of any faith or none. Are mind, consciousness and brain activity the same thing? If my experiences of God could be monitored on a brain scan what would that say about me, God, my experiences? Are my beliefs just the result of firing neurons in my brain? Is my writing of this review and everything I'm thinking and typing just the inevitable outcome of a series of causes and effects or am I deciding it...??? All questions addressed in this book without giving you an actual headache - impressive stuff!
March 27, 2022
"Consciousness simply cannot be reducible to physical processes in the brain."
Neuroscience and the study of the relationship between the mind and brain fascinate me. So, I was excited to dig into "Am I Just My Brain" by Dr Dirckx. This book is a simple overview of current research in this field and implications this has for the philosophical and theological fields. On the positive side, Dr Dirckx is very readable and she makes solid conclusions from the data. However, this is definitely an introductory work. Do not read this expecting too much detail. Nevertheless, as an introduction to this fascinating field, this book does a good job. If you are interested in learning more about what Neuroscience has to say about the mind, then I recommend this book.
Neuroscience and the study of the relationship between the mind and brain fascinate me. So, I was excited to dig into "Am I Just My Brain" by Dr Dirckx. This book is a simple overview of current research in this field and implications this has for the philosophical and theological fields. On the positive side, Dr Dirckx is very readable and she makes solid conclusions from the data. However, this is definitely an introductory work. Do not read this expecting too much detail. Nevertheless, as an introduction to this fascinating field, this book does a good job. If you are interested in learning more about what Neuroscience has to say about the mind, then I recommend this book.
September 29, 2023
I really liked this book, and I think the author did an excellent job. That being said, the book had flaws. To begin with, the topic is one of those impossible ones, where no one knows the answers. As a result, while I believe the authors answers were as good as possible, a sceptic may not be convinced. I remain very impressed with the effort made to discuss such a challenging topic. In addition, the transition from a discussion of the main topic “am I just my brain” to theological topics was not seamless and felt forced, which was no ideal. This may have been a necessary addition for the publisher, so once again I think the author did a good job. If you are interested in the topic and are willing to listen to a Christian perspective, then I would highly recommend the book.
December 2, 2021
awesome short intro to phil of mind
Thanks so much Sharon for writing such a helpful book! I learned a lot. I love the clarity of your explanations. They are really good!
On a couple of points, I wasn’t quite convinced. Explanations and definitions on libertarianism I thought was a bit too simple. However, these seem to be due to the purpose of this book being an introduction to the topic, which is served so well I guess.
Lastly, there were several typos and grammatical errors. I guess it is the editors’ and the publisher’s role to prevent this from happening?
Anyway, thanks for a great book!
Thanks so much Sharon for writing such a helpful book! I learned a lot. I love the clarity of your explanations. They are really good!
On a couple of points, I wasn’t quite convinced. Explanations and definitions on libertarianism I thought was a bit too simple. However, these seem to be due to the purpose of this book being an introduction to the topic, which is served so well I guess.
Lastly, there were several typos and grammatical errors. I guess it is the editors’ and the publisher’s role to prevent this from happening?
Anyway, thanks for a great book!
September 11, 2023
An easy to read short book that examines the question of how we have consciousness. Are we just our brain? Does the mind exist? She exams 3 proposals: nope, all we are are lots (billions) of firing neurons; yes, the mind exists, generated by the brain; the mind can exist without the brain, in humans brain & mind are connected. She explores each of these possibilities while examine other questions as well: is free will an illusion; is religion experience generated by the brain? Interesting questions, she comes from a Christian world view so includes the possibility of God as being behind our experiences.
April 30, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot from Sharon Dirckx's extensive experience in the field of neuroscience research and analysis. I enjoyed each chapter and the questions she poses. Many of her examples were rich with context to the questions she was trying to answer. With that said, I felt as though the book began with one strategy (scientifically examining her interesting questions) and ended with something that felt like an opinion piece. I was disappointed to learn so much from her expertise and not see how it "paid off" with the conclusion. All in all, I am better off having read the book and that is appreciated.
August 10, 2022
What a fascinating, if challenging read this book is. The author uses her wide-ranging knowledge of neuroscience to make the reader think about thinking. Why do we think, how do we think, do we have free will in thought, what is soul, is there more beyond the brain’s chemistry? The volume is heavily cross referenced to philosophers and researchers work. I think (!) its conclusion is entirely plausible!
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