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The Challenges of (Non-existent?) Mormon Theology
August 09, 2010
Finally, Mormonism has yet to develop a theology of the problem of human consciousness and issues related to its commitment to a type of "spirit matter" or "intelligence" that is uncreated and eternal. These issues have become much more pressing with the advances in brain and cognitive sciences. The relation of the laws of nature and Mormonism's commitment to free will and agency is a particularly important and fundamental theological issue. Indeed, just what is meant by an "intelligence," what it is that is uncreated, and whether individuality is an eternal feature remain critical and bed-rock issues for Mormon thinkers.
Blake Ostler is a lawyer in Salt Lake City. He has published widely on Mormon philosophy in professional academic philosophy journals such as Religious Studies (Oxford, England), International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion (Netherlands), and Element: The Journal of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology, as well as such Mormon scholarly publications as Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Sunstone, BYU Studies, and FARMS Review of Books. He is the author of the multi-volume series Exploring Mormon Thought, published by Kofford Books. He has also taught Philosophy at Brigham Young University as an Adjunct Instructor. See Blakeostler.com for a full list of publications.
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8/9/2010 4:00:00 AM
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