Category Archives: Neuroscience

The habits of virtue

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Quentin

Were you holier at the end of 2016 than at the beginning? And, if not, perhaps this is the time to think a little about the theology of good resolutions. We recognise that we are at the epitome of faith … Continue reading →

Posted in Bio-ethics, Catholic Herald columns, Neuroscience, virtue ethics | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Some of my best friends…

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Quentin

Let’s have a look at an awkward subject – homosexuality. We know that there are condemnatory passages in the Old and New Testaments, and that for many Christians that closes the problem. You can study these at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_and_homosexuality. But in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bio-ethics, Moral judgment, Neuroscience, Quentin queries | 36 Comments

The threat of old age

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Quentin

What is the disease from which 30 million people suffer worldwide, and will increase to 130 million by 2050? In Britain, the number of sufferers will be around two million. No one fully understands the details of this disease, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, Neuroscience, Quentin queries | Tagged , | 13 Comments

The truth is not in us

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Quentin

There will be few readers who have not heard the story of the Jesuit and the Benedictine who agreed to ask their superiors if they could smoke while praying their Office. The Benedictine asked if he could smoke while he … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, Church and Society, Moral judgment, Neuroscience | 59 Comments

The paralysis of fear

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Quentin

“…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” said Franklin D Roosevelt facing the economic crisis of 1933. He went on to describe it as “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes…” Strong words for a strong occasion, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, Neuroscience, Spirituality | Tagged , | 69 Comments

Anti anti-Semitism

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Quentin

A big kerfuffle this week about alleged anti-Semitism in the Labour Party! The pièce de résistance was Ken Livingstone’s claim that Hitler had initially been in favour of the Zionists – “before he went mad”. Leaving aside history (see below) … Continue reading →

Posted in Moral judgment, Neuroscience, Quentin queries | Tagged | 74 Comments

Who’s who & what’s what?

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Quentin

Some of you will know that I run a philosophy group. I am not a philosopher nor do I teach philosophy, but I provide a fortnightly opportunity for about a dozen people to discuss philosophy and philosophers. Surprisingly often the … Continue reading →

Posted in Neuroscience, Philosophy, Quentin queries | Tagged , , , | 51 Comments

The Holy Spirit and you

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Quentin

Relying on the Holy Spirit is a dangerous game. That may sound an odd remark given that Jesus assures us that the Spirit will bring the Church and its members to the truth. But, while the action of the Spirit … Continue reading →

Posted in Moral judgment, Neuroscience, Quentin queries, Spirituality | Tagged , | 86 Comments

Man, proud man

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Quentin

Three million years before the first homo sapiens appeared our ancestors were making stone tools with multiple uses. These were not just opportunistic broken flints but tools which had been knapped for the purpose. A recent find pushes back the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bio-ethics, Catholic Herald columns, evolution, Neuroscience, Philosophy | 41 Comments

Human or superhuman?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Quentin

If you wanted an argument in early Christendom the issue of the Incarnation would always serve. Truly man or just pretend? Truly God or just inspired? Two persons with two natures or one person with two natures? Two wills or … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Spirituality | Tagged , , | 104 Comments