California Science Center

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	Religion on the Brain Saturday, November 4, 2006 See webcast from LA Channel 36. As a result of advances in brain imaging technology, researchers are learning more about how different areas of the brain function based on their respective neural activity. In 1997, scientists discovered a particular area of the brain associated with intense religious experience, named by the popular media as the "God Spot". Neuroscientists claim that this discovery neither reduces religion to a brain function, nor does it prove that our brains are designed to receive the divine. However, it has inspired an emerging field of cognitive neuroscience that seeks to break new ground in the dialogue between science and religion. In our first Science Matters program of the year, a neurologist presented the latest findings in brain research about the neural processing of religious thought and experience. In light of this research, panelists discussed how we reconcile these different aspects of our brain in our understanding of the world. Are humans genetically hard-wired for critical thinking and religious spirituality, and what are the implications for the compatibility of science and faith in the human experience? Can we believe in science and still have faith? Panel Discussion: Four featured panelists offered different perspectives on the relation between faith and science. Panelists included: (click name for bio) Conan Nolan—moderator Reporter, NBC4 Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D Director, Center for Brain and Cognition, University of California, San Diego Professor, Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego Adjunct Professor, Salk Institute Joan Roughgarden, Ph.D. Professor of Biological Sciences, Stanford University Warren Brown, Ph.D. Director of the Travis Research Institute and Professor of Psychology, Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary Michael Shermer, Ph.D. Executive Director, Skeptics Society Resources for Further Reading Articles on the web * Andrew Newberg discusses the neuroscience of religious experience Francis Collins discusses how his faith and science are compatible Richard Dawkins discusses the evils of religion * You may be required to watch a short advertisement to read these articles. Books by our panelists Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind, by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D. A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness, by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D. Evolution's Rainbow, by Joan Roughgarden Ph.D. Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an Evolutionary Biologist, by Joan Roughgarden Ph.D. Whatever Happened to the Soul? Scientific and Theological Portraits of Human Nature, by Warren Brown, Ph.D. Understanding Wisdom: Sources, Science, and Society, by Warren Brown, Ph.D. How We Believe: Science, Skepticism, and the Search for God, by Michael Shermer, Ph.D. Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design, by Michael Shermer, Ph.D. The Science Of Good and Evil, by Michael Shermer, Ph.D. Why People Believe Weird Things, by Michael Shermer, Ph.D. Home \| Religion on the Brain \| Nanotechnology \| Global Warming