Table Of ContentPraise for Measuring the
Immeasurable Mind
“Matthew Owen’s Measuring the Immeasurable Mind: Where Contemporary
Neuroscience Meets the Aristotelian Tradition is a superb read, exemplary in
scope and imagination. In addition to dismantling the philosophical foundations
of physicalism, Owen presents a compelling case that dualists are in a suitable
position to account for the neural correlates of consciousness. Skillfully deploy-
ing recent empirical evidence, Owen formulates a new model of the neural
correlates of consciousness that coheres with Aristotle’s insights regarding the
formal character of biological systems and a dualist metaphysics of mind. A
must-read for those who take a wide methodological scope in the philosophy of
mind and neuroscience.”
—Eric LaRock, Oakland University
“There is a growing discussion about what contribution hylomorphism can
make to the philosophy of mind. Owen’s book offers up answers to numerous
issues and questions hylomorphists face. It will be of great interest to academ-
ics interested in the crossover between (Neo-)Aristotelian metaphysics and
questions concerning consciousness, the mind-body problem, and the nature of
neural correlation.”
—Nikk Effingham, University of Birmingham
“Measuring the Immeasurable Mind is a unique book at the cutting edge of
integrative philosophy of mind. Bringing together his considerable expertise in
neuroscience and philosophy, Owen’s bold offering shows that the recent find-
ings in empirical science can be harmonized easily with a specific version of
hylomorphism in an epistemically responsible way. The proffered harmoniza-
tion makes clear how a robust dualist human ontology is fully consistent with
the employment of the physical neural correlates of consciousness in attempting
to quantify various states of consciousness. With its publication, no one who
wants to be informed about recent, central developments in neuroscience and
philosophy of mind can afford to neglect this work.”
—J.P. Moreland, Biola University
“In Measuring the Immeasurable Mind, Owen develops what he names the
Mind-Body Powers Model of Neural Correlates of Consciousness as a meta-
physical resolution of the mind-body problem. This model cogently supports
mind-body dualism against materialism based on what the author calls Neo-
Thomistic hylomorphism, a concept developed from interpretations of ideas
such as grounding and en-forming historically articulated by Aquinas and
Aristotle. The incorporation of the older philosophical tradition with contem-
porary neuroscientific theories of consciousness offers a unique and important
contribution to the philosophy of mind.”
—Michael L. Woodruff, East Tennessee State University
“For theological anthropology to flourish, relevant work in neuroscience simply
must be taken into account. Sometimes, however, theologians (and the religious
communities they seek to serve) tend to worry that recent work in science will
undermine traditional beliefs they take to be important, and, as a result, hold
such advances at arm’s length. In other cases, meanwhile, theologians are
quick to reject traditional doctrine ‘because science says so.’ But what if such
reactions are unwarranted and even unfortunate? This important work from
Matthew Owen offers real help to the theologian, for he demonstrates that nei-
ther the science nor the theology need be threatened by the other. This book is
well-informed and well-written; it is also both charitable and wise. It is a book
that I will recommend eagerly and return to often!”
—Thomas H. McCall, Asbury University
“Owen’s Measuring the Immeasurable Mind convincingly argues that the exis-
tence of the footprints of consciousness in the brain, the famed neural correlates
of consciousness, is fully compatible with a dualistic view of the mind-body
problem informed by Aristotle and Aquinas.”
—Christof Koch, Allen Institute for Brain Science
“Owen touches a nerve in mainstream reductionism and physicalism. His
ambitious attempt to connect solid metaphysics with the most advanced sci-
ence of consciousness deserves extremely careful consideration. Measuring the
Immeasurable Mind is a much-needed and refreshing view on the long-debated
topics of mind-brain causation and the nature of conscious states. Some may
not be convinced by his bold proposals, but everyone can learn a lot from his
original examination that dusts off an ancient discussion in philosophy and
science, revitalizing and updating Aristotelian and Thomistic hylomorphism.
Overall, this is a rigorous, clear, and accessible book that makes an important
contribution to its field.”
—Andrea Lavazza, Centro Universitario Internazionale, Italy
“Owen’s new book is fresh, bold, stimulating! It makes us rethink issues in con-
temporary neuroscience and in the history of philosophy alike, defamiliarized
and thus put in a new light by the way the author makes them interact in this
splendid book. Even those who might find themselves in disagreement with the
methodology and/or the research results, will be stimulated by the arguments
Owen puts forward and will want to engage in trying to find objections and
counterarguments. This is a book that takes the reader through untrodden paths
in a trailblazing way.”
—Anna Marmodoro, Durham University
“Owen’s Measuring the Immeasurable Mind brings a breath of fresh air to
one of the most hotly debated issues of the nature of consciousness. Drawing
insights from Aristotelian/Thomistic metaphysics, Owen presents a compelling
argument that shows the metaphysical possibility of empirically discerning and
quantifying irreducible consciousness. This is an excellent book which will be
of great interest both for philosophers and neuroscientists who work on con-
sciousness research. You cannot afford to bypass it.”
—Mihretu P. Guta, Biola University
“It is rare these days to find authors doing research on the metaphysics of mind
whose work exhibits ontological seriousness while engaging fruitfully with
relevant scientific investigations on the mind. Owen’s project in Measuring
the Immeasurable Mind is an exception to the rule. Whether or not one finally
agrees with Owen’s conclusions or the metaphysical assumptions that guide his
project, there is much to be gained by engaging with the account he offers and
defends in this book. This book provides a model for how to do philosophical
work in consciousness studies that amounts to more than mere conceptual polic-
ing. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the metaphysical foundations of
the science of consciousness.”
—Andrei Buckareff, Marist College
Measuring
the Immeasurable Mind
Measuring
the Immeasurable Mind
Where Contemporary
Neuroscience Meets
the Aristotelian Tradition
Matthew Owen
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To Aryn,
who brilliantly loves
the patients in her care.
