The Immortal Mind

A neuroscientist and surgeon makes an argument for the existence of a spiritual human soul in this eye-opening book.Many scientists and doctors believe that there is no such thing as the soul. That there is no part of us that persists beyond death. We are not spiritual in any respect. We are made up of cells and tissue, and completely controlled by a material organ in our heads: the brain. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael Egnor makes the case-based on 40 years of practice and over 7,000 brain surgeries-that science has gotten it all wrong. The human brain is incredible, mysterious, and powerful. But it's not what makes us who we are. The soul does that. Drawing on the most important research studies in neuroscience, Dr. Egnor presents evidence that the brain alone does not explain the mind. He explores, using modern neuroscience and his vast surgical experience, how inside every damaged brain there is a thinking, feeling person with a spiritual soul that transcends the brain. He also uses fascinating case studies to show how research on conjoined twins who share parts of their brains, on patients in deep coma who are still able to communicate with people around them, on near-death experiences, and on artificial intelligence all make a scientific case for the existence of the spiritual human soul.Engaging, thought-provoking, and groundbreaking, The Immortal Mind shows here that some aspect of who we are is spiritual and immortal, transcending the physical body. Michael R. Egnor, MD, is Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He received his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and trained in neurosurgery at the University of Miami. He has been on faculty at Stony Brook since 1991. He is the neurosurgery residency director and has served as the director of pediatric neurosurgery and as vice-chairman of neurosurgery at Stony Brook Medicine. In addition to a full-time neurosurgical practice, he directs a research program on intracranial dynamics, cerebral blood flow and hydrocephalus and has lectured at scientific meetings worldwide and published in leading medical journals including the Journal of Neurosurgery and Cerebrospinal Fluid Research. He has a strong interest in Thomistic philosophy, philosophy of mind, neuroscience, evolution and intelligent design, and bioethics and has published and lectured extensively on these topics. Dr. Egnor was named one of New York's best doctors by New York Magazine in 2005.Denyse O'Leary is the author or coauthor of several books on the topics of science, creation, design, and spirituality, including The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case for the Existence of the Soul (coauthored by neuroscientist Mario Beauregard).