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In reading through the posts that others have already submitted, I’m most intrigued by Anna’s. Anna brings up the point that we tend to forget to apply the theory of evolution to humans and the human minds, and reminds us that, if you believe in evolution, then the intricate faculties of the human mind arose because of reproductive pressures.

I was certain that I was in the “brain=behavior” camp, and this argument is the one that I couldn’t find when I was first trying to state my opinion. Evolution is the mechanism by which I am comfortable saying that I don’t believe that there is a mind or a soul that determines free will and makes moral judgments. I think that every “moral” a person holds can be explained rationally, often making use of evolution, game theory, or economics. I am now reminded of a book review I saw in the New York Times on Friday for The Logic of Life by Tim Hartford. The reviewer says of Hartford, “The premise is simple. Human beings are rational creatures who respond to incentives and rewards. No matter how bizarre a choice might seem, there is logic at work […]” I think that there are many subconscious motivations that we too readily attribute to the mind, the soul's direction, fate, divine intervention.

Finally, like Caitlin, I still think that the faculties of the human mind are amazing and inspiring. Just because I don’t believe in a soul doesn’t mean that life and natural is doomed to be depressing, clinical, and devoid of mystery or beauty. (: