Contradictions

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xix

   PDF

2. The universality of religious beliefs

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 1-12

3. The contradictions and consequences of religious beliefs

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 13-26

4. The evolution of human ancestors

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 27-35

5. The most amazing window on human nature

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 37-57

6. Why qualia and consciousness seem mysterious

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 59-81

7. The word-grounding problem and the incompleteness of language

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 83-98

8. The roots of knowledge

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 99-120

9. Abstract and imaginary objects

   • José M. Musacchio

   Pages 121-142

10. Nature is logical, because logic is natural

    • José M. Musacchio

    Pages 143-162

11. Faith and the validation of beliefs

    • José M. Musacchio

    Pages 163-175

12. Contradictory beliefs are a poor mechanism of adaptation

    • José M. Musacchio

    Pages 177-188

13. Back Matter

    Pages 189-195

    PDF

“Contradictions” is a general interest book that exposes the incompatibility between popular religious beliefs and the scientific view of human nature. It begins with a survey of the evolution of religions and their continuing, often irrational, influences in modern society. Then, based on his long experience in neuroscience, the author takes issue with Decartes about the duality of body and soul. He presents case studies of patients with brain diseases and from these deduces that the soul, far from being separate and supernatural, is no more or less than our way of experiencing our brains ... and which correspondingly disintegrates when they do. Convincing clinical findings and powerful arguments about the universality of truth make this book a bold contribution to the debate about belief and religion in the modern world.

• Contradictory Beliefs
• Contradictory Beliefs
• Contradictory Beliefs
• Neuroscience of Belief, Self and Soul
• Neuroscience of Belief, Self and Soul
• Neuroscience of Belief, Self and Soul
• Psychology of Belief
• Psychology of Belief
• Psychology of Belief
• Religious and Supernatural Ideas
• Religious and Supernatural Ideas
• Religious and Supernatural Ideas

From the reviews:

“Professor Musacchio’s book Contradictions was for me an immensely readable and enlightening survey of philosophical issues tackled from the point of a view of a trained neurologist. … Musacchio’s book represents a commendable first attempt at a more interdisciplinary approach to philosophy of mind and neuroscience … . Anyone interested in a fresh and well-founded theory of qualia, semantics, and even religious experiences would do well to pick up Professor Musacchio’s book.” (Philosophy, Religion and Science Book Reviews, bookinspections.wordpress.com, May, 2014)

“The author describes how complex networks of neural connections produce all human experiences, from simple motor movements to one’s encounters with a transcendent reality. The strength of the author’s arguments resides in an engaging series of case studies that help readers connect neurophysiological principles to how individuals ‘experience’ their brains. … the book is a valuable addition to the science and religion debate. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty.” (J. A. Hewlett, Choice, Vol. 50 (7), March, 2013)

• , Department of Pharmacology, New York University Langone Medical Cent, New York, USA

  José M. Musacchio

Dr. José M. Musacchio is Professor Emeritus of pharmacology at New York University Medical School. He received his M.D. from the National University of La Plata, Argentina, where he trained in neurology and psychiatry. Later he completed his training in Bellevue Hospital in New York City, where he was Chief Resident in neurology. He also trained in neurochemistry and psychopharmacology at the National Institute of Mental Health, in Bethesda, MD, and became Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacology at NYU Medical School in 1965. He is the author of one hundred publications in his field.

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