Minding Creation: Theological Panpsychism and the Doctrine of Creation

Minding Creation is a book that examines panpsychism through the lens of Christian doctrine. It suggests that consciousness is spread more widely across all things, and that this implies key theological debates such as Gods presence and action, evolution and the origin of the soul, human uniqueness, and the environmental crisis. Joanna Leidenhag develops a theological panpsychism based on a wide range of scholarship, drawing on the theologies of historical figures such as Augustine of Hippo, Gottfried von Leibniz, and others. She concludes that God created a universe from nothing that is filled with indwelling powers, sacramental value, and intrinsic experience, and that human beings must protect and lead in praise.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 14 January 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Are humans the only creatures that can appreciate God's creation? What if consciousness is spread more widely across all things? This volume examines panpsychism through the lens of Christian doctrine.

Minding Creation is the first substantial examination of what a panpsychist theory of consciousness implies for key theological debates concerning God's presence and action, evolution and the origin of the soul, human uniqueness and the environmental crisis. Joanna Leidenhag develops a theological panpsychism that is based on an exceptionally wide range of scholarship.

Minding Creation draws on the theologies of historical figures such as Augustine of Hippo, Gottfried von Leibniz, and others, in order to create a critical and constructive conversation with contemporary analytic philosophers of mind, such as Thomas Nagel, Galen Strawson, and David J. Chalmers. Leidenhag also discusses key concepts and issues, such as emergence theory, divine action, and ecology. She concludes that God created a universe from nothing, which is filled with indwelling powers, sacramental value, and intrinsic experience. This is a creation in which the Holy Spirit is internally present at every point, a creation that worships God, and a creation that human beings must protect and lead in praise.

Theologians have long debated the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the physical world. Some argue that consciousness is a purely mental phenomenon, while others suggest that it is somehow intertwined with the physical world. Panpsychism is a theory that suggests that consciousness is spread more widely across all things, including inanimate objects and animals.

According to panpsychism, everything in the universe has a consciousness of some sort. This consciousness may be different from human consciousness, but it is still a form of consciousness. For example, plants may have a consciousness of their own that is different from human consciousness, but it is still a form of consciousness.

One of the key arguments for panpsychism is that it provides a more holistic view of the universe. It suggests that everything in the universe is interconnected and that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of the universe. This view is in contrast to the traditional view of the universe, which sees consciousness as a purely human phenomenon.

Another argument for panpsychism is that it provides a more plausible explanation for certain phenomena. For example, some researchers have suggested that plants may have a form of communication that is different from human communication, but that it is still a form of communication. Panpsychism would explain this by suggesting that plants have a consciousness of their own that allows them to communicate.

There are also some criticisms of panpsychism. One of the main criticisms is that it is difficult to explain how consciousness could be spread so widely across all things. Some researchers argue that it is more plausible to suggest that consciousness is a purely mental phenomenon that is unique to humans.

Another criticism is that panpsychism may be too complex to be a useful theory. Some researchers argue that it is difficult to understand how consciousness could be spread so widely across all things and that it may be more useful to focus on specific aspects of consciousness, such as human consciousness.

Overall, panpsychism is a fascinating theory that suggests that consciousness is spread more widely across all things than previously thought. While there are some criticisms of the theory, it is still a topic of ongoing research and debate among theologians and philosophers. As our understanding of the universe continues to evolve, it is likely that we will continue to develop new theories and perspectives on consciousness and its relationship to the physical world.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567696212