Overview

This book explores old and new hopes that have emerged in the human quest to defeat death. On the one hand, it answers questions such as: Are we just physical machines of great complexity, with the brain as the hardware on which consciousness operates as its software? If so, can we speculate on ways in which the mind could be uploaded to a machine and no longer suffer the frailty of this biological body? And could an android robot or a mindfile in a computer simulation be conscious? On the other hand, the book examines the hope of survival through reincarnation according to the teachings of Eastern religions and New Age thought. All these topics are discussed from the perspectives of Christian theology and the philosophy of mind. This dual investigation will help Christians formulate a coherent response to old and new challenges to their faith.

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9781725297487

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Reviews

In this wide-ranging book, Ernest Valea addresses some of the most fundamental problems of our lives and our deaths. What are the relationships between our minds and bodies? And what does this tell us about the possibility of life after death? This detailed survey and study of the issues provides a rich and recommended resource for those who wish not just to remain in 'blind faith' (on either side of the debate) but who wish to think through the issues critically and come to their own reasoned conclusions. --Paul Williams, Emeritus Professor of Indian and Tibetan Philosophy, University of Bristol One does not expect to read about artificial intelligence, biblical teaching on life after death, and comparative religions' contribution to the future hopes of humanity all in one book. If one finds such a book, one can almost guarantee that the author will not have specialized in more than one of those disciplines, if that. Valea defies these expectations, demonstrating a mastery of each and producing profound reflections on how AI does not and cannot deliver on the more religious promises of some of its creators, and on how the Christian doctrine of resurrection offers the only realistic hope of a positive eternal existence for human beings today. --Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary Insightful, penetrating, and informative. An original, well-researched, and compelling analysis of competing perceptions of human nature, and their implications for the future of humanity. Ernest Valea provides persuasive arguments that hopes for a human future based either on technologically-based transhumanism, artificial intelligence, or Eastern concepts of reincarnation are flawed and incoherent. Instead he argues for a fresh look at the orthodox Christian hope of physical resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death. --John Wyatt, Emeritus Professor of Ethics and Perinatology, University College London

In this wide-ranging book, Ernest Valea addresses some of the most fundamental problems of our lives and our deaths. What are the relationships between our minds and bodies? And what does this tell us about the possibility of life after death? This detailed survey and study of the issues provides a rich and recommended resource for those who wish not just to remain in 'blind faith' (on either side of the debate) but who wish to think through the issues critically and come to their own reasoned conclusions. --Paul Williams, Emeritus Professor of Indian and Tibetan Philosophy, University of Bristol One does not expect to read about artificial intelligence, biblical teaching on life after death, and comparative religions' contribution to the future hopes of humanity all in one book. If one finds such a book, one can almost guarantee that the author will not have specialized in more than one of those disciplines, if that. Valea defies these expectations, demonstrating a mastery of each and producing profound reflections on how AI does not and cannot deliver on the more religious promises of some of its creators, and on how the Christian doctrine of resurrection offers the only realistic hope of a positive eternal existence for human beings today. --Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary Insightful, penetrating, and informative. An original, well-researched, and compelling analysis of competing perceptions of human nature, and their implications for the future of humanity. Ernest Valea provides persuasive arguments that hopes for a human future based either on technologically-based transhumanism, artificial intelligence, or Eastern concepts of reincarnation are flawed and incoherent. Instead he argues for a fresh look at the orthodox Christian hope of physical resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death. --John Wyatt, Emeritus Professor of Ethics and Perinatology, University College London

Author Information

Ernest M. Valea is the author of The Buddha and the Christ: Reciprocal Views (2008), Buddhist-Christian Dialogue as Theological Exchange (2015), and The Spiritual Dimension of Alternative Medicine (2020). He is engaged in producing high quality information to help modern Christians stand up for their faith.

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