Measuring The Immeasurable Mind

Matthew Owen argues in Measuring the Immeasurable Mind that it is possible to empirically detect and measure nonphysical consciousness. Toward this end, Owen proposes a model of neural correlates of consciousness informed by Aristotle’s understanding of causal powers and Aquinas’s view of human nature.

Collects essays on meditation, the power of prayer, optimism, thankfulness, neurophenomenology, and alpha brain waves, all written from the perspective that science and spirituality should not be in opposition.

Can your thoughts heal another person, even from across the globe? Does meditation create "superhuman" levels of perception? Can prayer and intention actually affect reality? A few decades ago, scientists would have dismissed such ideas as superstition. Today, a growing body of persuasive research has turned many skeptics into believers when it comes to the power of spirituality. Measuring the Immeasurable brings together some of the most prominent authorities on the new frontier where science and spirit intersect, including: Bruce H. Lipton (The Biology of Belief) on the science of epigenetics, and how consciousness shapes our health, genetics, and evolution • Lynne McTaggart (The Field) with the latest findings on the power of mind over matter from her ongoing "Intention Experiment" • Gregg Braden (The Divine Matrix and The God Code) on how how prayer and intention can affect events on a global scale • Gary Small (The Longevity Bible) on lifestyle changes that improve brain function • Daniel Goleman (Social Intelligence) on the "brain’s melody" and our moment-to-moment perceptions • Candace Pert (Molecules of Emotion) on the intimate relationship between mind and body • Thought-provoking articles from other modern luminaries, including Peter Russell, Larry Dossey, Andrew Newberg, Dean Radin, Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Jeanne Achterberg, Marilyn Schlitz, Peter Levine, and more As we use the methods of science to examine spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, and energy healing, not only do we see evidence for the tangible benefits of these "technologies of the mind," but we are also beginning to illuminate the missing links in our understanding of evolution, physics, and our role in the universe. Filled with leading-edge research, startling discoveries, and the breakthrough ideas of some of today’s most innovative thinkers, Measuring the Immeasurable is an invaluable resource for exploring the mysteries of the quantum age—and what this new science will mean for your life. Winner of the 2009 Nautilus Award

Is psychology a science? Unlike Darwinian theory in biology or relativity and quantum theory in physics, psychology lacks the basic quantitative or conceptual foundation for a consensus view about how the mind works. Is psychology on the verge of developing such a foundation? "Probably not," answers psychologist William R. Uttal in this iconoclastic and critical examination of psychology''s underlying principles, assumptions, and concepts. In five in-depth chapters and one appendix, he explores the following key issues: *What do we mean by "science" and can psychology be legitimately described as a science? *What are the general principles that should be applied to any science? *What is the role of mathematics in psychology? *Given the current fragmented state of the discipline, is it possible to identify the general principles of a scientific psychology? *Is experimental psychology just applied epistemology and not really scientific? Uttal comes to the conclusion that psychology is a science only to the extent that it is behaviorist in orientation. By comparing his discipline to other sciences, he identifies its limits, establishes a set of principles that help to define psychology as a science, and suggests plausible future developments.

A singularly powerful and rigorous argument in favor of modern substance dualism In The Substance of Consciousness: A Comprehensive Defense of Contemporary Substance Dualism, two distinguished philosophers deliver a unique and powerful defense of contemporary substance dualism, which makes the claim that the human person is an embodied fundamental, immaterial, and unifying substance. Multidisciplinary in scope, the book explores areas of philosophy, cognitive science, neuroscience, and the sociology of mind-body beliefs. The authors present the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and rigorous non-edited work on substance dualism in the field, as well as a detailed history of how property and substance dualism have been presented and evaluated over the last 150 years. Alongside developing new and updated positive arguments for substance dualism, they also discuss key metaphysical notions and distinctions that inform the examination of substance dualism and its alternatives. Readers will also find: A thorough examination of the recent shift away from standard physicalism and the renaissance of substance dualism Comprehensive explorations of the likely future of substance dualism in the twenty-first century, including an exhaustive list of proposed research projects for substance dualists Practical discussion of new and rigorous critiques of significant physicality alternatives, including emergentism and panpsychism. Extensive treatments of philosophy of mind debates about the roles played by staunch/faint-hearted naturalism and theism in establishing or presuming methodology, epistemic priorities, and prior metaphysical commitments Perfect for professional philosophers, The Substance of Consciousness will also earn a place in the libraries of consciousness researchers, philosophical theologians, and religious studies scholars.

This Element adapts Aristotle's ancient doctrine of hylomorphism for contemporary philosophy of biology to explain the unity of living organisms.

Praise for the first edition: 'This book should be of interest to anyone interested in sustainable development, and especially sustainability indicators. Bell and Morse easily succeed in exposing the fundamental paradoxes of these concepts and, more importantly, they offer us a way forward. Readers ... will find their practical recommendations for those attempting to do sustainability analysis in the field most welcome, which is also the book's greatest strength.' Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability 'This book makes a valuable contribution to the theory and practice of using indicators for sustainability. It introduces systems ideas and a range of tools and techniques that have the potential to broaden and deepen our understanding of a whole range of complex situations. Well worth a closer look.' Christine Blackmore, Open University 'This is a book that explores new ways of thinking about how to measure sustainability... It offers stimulating food for thought for environmental educators and researchers.' Environmental Education Research 'This book tells me, as an SI 'practitioner', where I have been and why, and more importantly how I should be thinking in order to effectively present to and empower the local community in the years ahead.' David Ellis, Principal Pollution Monitoring Officer, Norwich City Council 'A practical guide to the development of sustainability indicators which offers a systemic and participative way to use them at local scale. Our preliminary results are highly positive and the approach is applicable in many contexts.' Elisabeth Coudert, Programme Officer Prospective and Regional Development, Blue Plan The groundbreaking first edition of Sustainability Indicators reviewed the development and value of sustainability indicators and discussed the advantage of taking a holistic and qualitative approach rather than focusing on strictly quantitative measures. In the new edition the authors bring the literature up to date and show that the basic requirement for a systemic approach is now well grounded in the evidence. They examine the origins and development of Systemic Sustainability Analysis (SSA) as a theoretical approach to sustainability which has been developed in practice in a number of countries on an array of projects since the first edition. They look at how SSA has evolved into the practical approaches of Systemic Prospective Sustainability Analysis (SPSA) and IMAGINE, and, in particular, how a wide range of participatory methodologies have been adopted over the years. They also provide an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of projects that undertake work in the general field of sustainable development.