Page 168 - Darwin's Dilemma: The Soul

Darwin’s Dilemma: The Soul

ing, sorrow, flavor, friendship and the joys of good conversa-
tion? Can unconscious atoms combine to give rise to scientists
who investigate the brain, interpret their findings, struggle to un-
derstand consciousness and strive to come up with an answer? Is
it just the electrical signals traveling through the brain that make
human beings human and permit them to perceive the external
world?
Which neuron in the brain decides on something, feels long-
ing or sympathy, or is amazed at a sunset’s beauty? If conscious-
ness does all these things, then in which neuron in the brain does
consciousness lie? Where is it? Which chemical reaction gives rise
to consciousness? What chemical reaction decides that a person
should like apples, but dislike spinach? If every-
thing is in the brain, which neuron thinks?
Which one decides? Where is the neuron that
is excited by its decisions?
Materialists have to answer all these
questions. If they arrived at the conclusion
that “Consciousness is the source of every-
thing,” then they must indicate where in the
brain consciousness resides. If everything con-
sists of matter, they should be able to do that. If
they cannot, it means that human beings do
not consist of a collection of neurons and
atoms. Consciousness does not reside in
some secret region of the brain.
Neither is it concealed anywhere in
the body. It is something beyond all
materialist concepts. Man is
metaphysical, and the

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