Brain Science Podcast discussion

Hello,

My name is Roger and I've been listening to the Brain Science Podcast since the start of 2011. I am a great fan of the podcast and I think Ginger does a fantastic job of putting this all together in her limited spare time.

I am a Primary Care Physician in Queensland, Australia. I am also a Christian, but refuse to be pigeon-holed other than by admitting to being "Protestant, Not Otherwise Specified". I have interests in a number of areas including the interface of the Christian faith with science, philosophy and contemporary culture. I have a blog called "Faith Interface" which serves as an outlet for these interests in my also fairly limited spare time.

http://www.faithinterface.com.au/

I have a blossoming interest in the science/faith discussion, particularly with reference to the cognitive sciences. So most of what Ginger talks about on this podcast is right up my alley, and has applications both in my professional life and in my personal life. I would love to do further study in the areas of theology, philosophy and cognitive sciences. This will hopefully happen as my children grow up a little and more time becomes available!

I will admit that I sometimes find myself rolling my eyes and growning out loud when Ginger or her guests stray from their discussion of hard science and into the area of chauvanistic scientism and out-moded logical positivism. I have complained (politely)at least once to Ginger when she allows her skeptic "slip" to show during discussions with some of her guests! Rational thinking, and the pursuit of truth, is not the default domain of scientistic skepticism. But, after all, it is her show and that grants her literary licence!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy both the BSP and the B&Is podcast. Keep up the good work Ginger! Maybe one day you might permit credentialed Christian scientists and philosophers on your show to discuss cognitive science and how it interacts with religious faith?

Roger wrote: "Hello,

My name is Roger and I've been listening to the Brain Science Podcast since the start of 2011. I am a great fan of the podcast and I think Ginger does a fantastic job of putting this all ..."

Roger,

Thanks for joining the group. I appreciate your feedback because I really do want the BSP to be accessible to people of all faiths (or lack there of). It has never been my intention to promote any sort of atheist agenda even though it is true that a majority of my guests probably are non-believers (myself included). As you know my goal is to share the science and let you decide for yourself what it means.

Thanks Ginger.

I continue to enjoy the content of your podcasts and continue to be challenged in a rather Socratic way by the material.

As a Christian who rejects Cartesian and Platonic dualism and embraces the possibility of evolutionary anthropology (though not obviously as an unguided, purposeless process) I feel as though I am not your usual anti-science fundamentalist Christian straw-man.

I do though reserve a healthy scepticism for any claim that smells of scientism and Enlightenment hubris. I maintain a distinct epistemic humility, willing to admit that our understanding about things such as metaphysics, ontology, mind and consciousness are at best provisional and limited in scope.