Torey argues strongly that the mind is made only of matter, the brain's self-reflective ability to process experience. He then argues that self-conscious matter is the second major step in the universe's unfolding, the first being the separation of matter from energy. He speculates the consciousness will play a part in the final destinty of the universe.

I am surprised that Torey criticises Teilhard de Chardin out of hand, and being simply an 'animist', someone who claims there is more to mind than matter.

I believe this book is a little of date (Oxford published it in 1999), but it is clear, helpful and hopeful for one who claims that Christianity is compatible with materialistic evolution. ( )

It's now available as an ebook on the MIT press portal http://mitpress-ebooks.mit.edu/product/crucible-consciousness