Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Vogelfrei · 07-22-2002, 06:12 PM

Buffman recently suggested that neuroscience directly contradicts various mystical metaphysic-hypotheses. With that in mind, so long as we agree that one exemplar of a mystical metaphysic would be "everything is one", it would be interesting for someone to explain why and how they think neuroscience negates the possibility, or how it potentially could.

(if anyone thinks the opposite -- that neuroscience does or could support such things -- that would make for an interesting explanation as well)

John Page · 07-22-2002, 07:01 PM

Wasn't there a nun in NY who stopped having religious visions after having a brain tumor removed? Coincidence?

Vogelfrei · 07-22-2002, 07:21 PM

And what does that have to do with metaphysics?

07-22-2002, 11:07 PM

I don't think it's possible to contradict a metaphysical theory. Most of them are too abstract and irrelevant for that.

We can, however, make discoveries which lessen their plausibility by developing alternate explanations in neurological research.

Vogelfrei · 07-23-2002, 07:29 PM

If metaphysical theories aren't falsifiable, how can you provide evidence via science for or against them?

What kind of evidence would suggest a conclusion about these matters? What conclusion would it suggest?

07-22-2002, 06:12 PM	#1
Vogelfrei Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NY Posts: 37	Challenge to Buffman (or others) / neuroscience and mysticism Buffman recently suggested that neuroscience directly contradicts various mystical metaphysic-hypotheses. With that in mind, so long as we agree that one exemplar of a mystical metaphysic would be "everything is one", it would be interesting for someone to explain why and how they think neuroscience negates the possibility, or how it potentially could. (if anyone thinks the opposite -- that neuroscience does or could support such things -- that would make for an interesting explanation as well)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-22-2002, 07:01 PM	#2
John Page Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: US Posts: 5,495	Wasn't there a nun in NY who stopped having religious visions after having a brain tumor removed? Coincidence?

07-22-2002, 07:21 PM	#3
Vogelfrei Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NY Posts: 37	And what does that have to do with metaphysics?

07-22-2002, 11:07 PM	#4
Synaesthesia Guest Posts: n/a	I don't think it's possible to contradict a metaphysical theory. Most of them are too abstract and irrelevant for that. We can, however, make discoveries which lessen their plausibility by developing alternate explanations in neurological research.

07-23-2002, 07:29 PM	#5
Vogelfrei Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NY Posts: 37	If metaphysical theories aren't falsifiable, how can you provide evidence via science for or against them? What kind of evidence would suggest a conclusion about these matters? What conclusion would it suggest?

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.