Abstract

Neuroscience research has exploded in the psychological sciences as a result of the introduction of fMRI techniques, and it has been shown that many psychological phenomena that are thought to be fundamental to the human experience have brain connections. Meanwhile, discussions about the soul and the mind-body distinction have returned due to the advancement of neuroscience. While some researchers utilise neuroscience to support a material explanation of consciousness, others support dualism and a spiritual understanding of the mind by citing unexplained brain events. We look at the effects of exposure to neuroscience research on soul-belief in two trials. When neuroscience offers compelling mechanistic explanations for the mind; we discover that believing in the soul declines. However, when explanatory holes in neuroscience studies are highlighted, faith in the soul is increased, indicating that physical and metaphysical explanations may be automatically adopted as alternative hypotheses for mind. Neuroscience research implications and the future of soul believing are examined.