Should panpsychists be Christians?
Religious Studies July 3, 2023 DOI: 10.1017/s0034412523000501 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Argues that panpsychist explanatory demands need not extend to the whole universe and that a self-explaining universe can satisfy such demands. Agrees with Leidenhag that panpsychism may help Christians conceive God's relation to the universe and foster healthier human-nature relations, but disputes the fit of process theism and doubts the preferability of a specifically Christian panpsychist eco-philosophy. |
Abstract
Abstract In this article, I offer a response to Joanna Leidenhag's book Mind Creation: Theological Panpsychism and the Doctrine of Creation . Whereas Leidenhag argues that the panpsychist's demands for explanation of the mind lead naturally to demands for an explanation of the whole universe, I counter that (i) the panpsychist's explanatory demands are not necessarily quite as general as Leidenhag presumes, and (ii) demands for an explanation of the whole universe can in any case be satisfying via the postulation of a self-explaining universe. I agree with Leidenhag that panpsychism is potentially a helpful way for Christians to think about the relationship between God and the universe, while disagreeing concerning how well suited process theism is to making sense of such a relationship. Finally, in terms of eco-philosophy, I agree with Leidenhag that panpsychism is conducive to a healthier relationship between humans and the natural world, while expressing reservations that a specifically Christian form of panpsychist eco-philosophy is preferable.