Rethinking Human Nature: A Christian Materialist Alternative to the Soul
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
In Rethinking Human Nature, Kevin J. Corcoran argues that the “Christian story, with embodiment and incarnation at its center, provides the theological backdrop against which to measure our view of human nature.” With this backdrop in mind Corcoran contends for a view of human nature that steers a middle way of sorts between dualism and strict materialism. The result is a nuanced Christian materialism, the Constitution View, that Corcoran believes best fits the “earthy picture of the Bible’s grand narrative.” Through arguing for this conclusion and addressing concerns it raises, Corcoran provides a solid introduction to the main debates regarding human nature that is infused with current scholarly debate on these topics and presented with an admirable scholarly humbleness. These traits make the work an excellent text for his target audience of students and interested lay readers that is still rigorous.
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- Presents a version of materialism that appropriates the insights of both dualism and nothing-but materialism
- Seeks to aim students of philosophy and theology, as well as inquisitive lay persons interested in the issues it addresses
- Intends to stimulate further debate and reflection on the age-old question of human nature and the ethical issues of stem cell research and human cloning
- Dualist Views of Human Persons
- Nothing-But Materialism
- The Constitution View
- The Stem Cell Challenge
- I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body and the Life of the World to Come
- The Constitution View and the Bible: Some Final Thoughts
Perhaps the most outstanding qualities of this book are its clarity and its generosity. Corcoran is able to present often-complex arguments in ways that folks who are not intimate with these discussions should nonetheless be able to follow. He treats his conversation partners with genuine respect. The humility with which he presents and argues for his own case is exemplary.
--Joel B. Green, Fuller Theological Seminary; editor, In Search of the Soul
Rethinking Human Nature is an excellent exploration of the nature of human persons. Corcoran defends a Constitution View of persons in which we are wholly made up of our bodies, yet we are not identical to them. While I do not, in the end, agree, the position he defends and the arguments he employs are extremely important for anyone thinking about the nature of human persons. One particular strength of his book is that he connects his position to critical issues in traditional theology and contemporary ethics. Corcoran's book will spark a lively debate for years to come.
--Gregory E. Ganssle, Yale University, Rivendell Institute
Kevin Corcoran is a Christian. He is also a materialist. Both those who welcome this combination and those who suspect that it is impossible should read his challenging and well-written book.
--R. William Hasker, emeritus professor of philosophy, Huntington University