The interdisciplinary exploration from neuroethics to neurotheology examines the connections between neuroscience, ethics, and spirituality. This chapter addresses the evolving field of neurotheology, which integrates neuroscientific understanding of brain function with spiritual and religious experiences. By investigating the neural correlates of religious practices, such as meditation and prayer, the study highlights how brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes are involved in shaping spiritual experiences. Moreover, the chapter emphasizes a ‘4E’ cognitive approach—Embodied, Embedded, Enactive, and Extended cognition—which calls for a holistic understanding of religious experiences that consider not only neural activity but also the broader philosophical, cultural, and social contexts. Through this integration, the field fosters deeper insights into human dignity, autonomy, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, it highlights some of the most important anthropological and ethical considerations for neuroscientific research, particularly in the context of neurotheology. This work ultimately promotes an interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges the gap between science and theology, contributing to a richer understanding of the human experience.

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From Neuroethics to Neurotheology. Some Epistemological and Anthropological Perspectives

  • Alberto Carrara

摘要

The interdisciplinary exploration from neuroethics to neurotheology examines the connections between neuroscience, ethics, and spirituality. This chapter addresses the evolving field of neurotheology, which integrates neuroscientific understanding of brain function with spiritual and religious experiences. By investigating the neural correlates of religious practices, such as meditation and prayer, the study highlights how brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes are involved in shaping spiritual experiences. Moreover, the chapter emphasizes a ‘4E’ cognitive approach—Embodied, Embedded, Enactive, and Extended cognition—which calls for a holistic understanding of religious experiences that consider not only neural activity but also the broader philosophical, cultural, and social contexts. Through this integration, the field fosters deeper insights into human dignity, autonomy, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, it highlights some of the most important anthropological and ethical considerations for neuroscientific research, particularly in the context of neurotheology. This work ultimately promotes an interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges the gap between science and theology, contributing to a richer understanding of the human experience.