Making Spirit Matter: Neurology, Psychology, and Selfhood in Modern France

The relationship between mind and brain has been a persistent problem in modern Western thought. Larry Sommer McGrath's book, Making Spirit Matter, studies how nineteenth- and early twentieth-century French thinkers attempted to answer this puzzle by showing the mutual dependence of spirit and matter. This scientific revolution located our spiritual powers in the brain and offered a radical reformulation of society, spirit, and the self. McGrath traces connections among thinkers such as Henri Bergson, Alfred Fouillee, Jean-Marie Guyau, and others, plotting alternative intellectual movements that revived themes of agency, time, and experience by applying the very sciences that seemed to undermine metaphysics and theology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2020
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The intricate relationship between the mind and the brain has been a central puzzle in modern Western thought, despite significant advancements in neuroscience. Historian Larry Sommer McGrath delves into this profound inquiry in his book, "Making Spirit Matter." Through a meticulous exploration of the ideas of a remarkable group of French thinkers from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, McGrath sheds light on their quest to unravel the enigma. These thinkers, including Henri Bergson, Alfred Fouillee, Jean-Marie Guyau, and others, sought to bridge the gap between spirit and matter by demonstrating their mutual dependence.

This scientific revolution, sweeping across various disciplines such as biology, psychology, and neurology, revealed that our spiritual powers reside within the brain. It presented a revolutionary reinterpretation of society, spirit, and the self. McGrath skillfully traces the connections among these thinkers, unveiling alternative intellectual movements that breathed new life into themes of agency, time, and experience. By employing the very sciences that seemed to undermine metaphysics and theology, these thinkers challenged conventional notions and paved the way for fresh perspectives.

In "Making Spirit Matter," McGrath unveils the profound legacy of this historical moment and its potential to renew our understanding of the mind-brain relationship in the present day. He offers a rich tapestry of insights, drawing upon a wide range of sources and employing a scholarly yet accessible style. This book is a valuable contribution to the field, providing a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human mind and the enduring quest for a comprehensive understanding of our existence.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 154 x 230 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226699820