With over 40 years of experience and 7,000 surgeries, neurosurgeon Dr Michael Egnor challenges materialist views of consciousness in his new book The Immortal Mind, citing cases like conjoined twins and patients with severe brain defects as evidence that the soul transcends physical brain functions.
Dr. Michael Egnor, a neurosurgeon with an extensive career spanning over 40 years and more than 7,000 surgeries, has emerged as a vocal advocate for the existence of the human soul. In his forthcoming book, The Immortal Mind, he challenges the materialist perspective that consciousness is merely a by-product of brain function, arguing instead that the mind transcends physical processes. This conviction has been shaped by both his professional experiences and personal reflections over decades in the surgical domain.
Egnor’s journey into the realm of the soul began in earnest during his mid-40s while working at Stony Brook University. He recounts several encounters that reshaped his understanding of the mind-brain relationship. Among these, the case of a young female patient who, despite having significant brain development issues—50% of her brain was absent—exemplified the resilience of the human spirit and intellect. Contrary to earlier predictions that she would struggle with severe handicaps, she grew up to lead a normal life. Such experiences prompted Egnor to reconsider the rigidity of his previous views, leading to an exploration of whether human consciousness exists independently of the brain.
The pivotal moments that solidified Egnor’s beliefs were not solely anecdotal. He discusses cases involving conjoined twins, such as the Canadian sisters Tatiana and Krista Hogan, who share parts of their brain but exhibit distinct personalities and cognitive abilities. Despite their shared brain structure, they maintain separate identities, provoking questions about the essence of individuality and the soul. Egnor interprets this phenomenon as evidence that souls—deemed spiritual and inherently singular—remain intact even when brains are shared.
Furthermore, Egnor articulates a broader view of the soul, extending its existence beyond humans to encompass animals and nature. He posits that all living beings possess a unique soul: a tree has a form of soul, different yet vital for its life, much like that of a dog or a bird. This perspective aligns with philosophical notions espoused by figures such as Aristotle, who argued that the soul is what animates life itself. Egnor elaborates, stating, “Soul is what makes you talk and think, and what makes your heart beat,” suggesting that the soul’s characteristics allow for reasoning, abstract thought, and moral judgement—qualities he believes define human experience.
While he acknowledges the complexities involved in neuroscience, Egnor remains resolute that the soul cannot be intrusively examined through conventional medical tools. “You can’t cut it with a knife like you can cut the brain,” he explains, underscoring the inherent limitations of empirical science in capturing the essence of human existence.
His thoughts on patient interactions, particularly during surgery, reveal a compassionate and mindful ethos. Aware that patients may possess a level of awareness even in deep comas, Egnor expresses concern over the words spoken in their presence, believing that the soul is an everlasting entity deserving of respect and care. He recounts the extraordinary experience of Pam Reynolds, a woman who had a near-death experience during surgery, claiming to have communicated with her ancestors while out of her body. This reinforces Egnor’s conviction that what exists beyond the body is not merely conceptual but a fundamental reality woven into the fabric of life.
As Egnor prepares for the release of The Immortal Mind, he aims to provide readers with a scientific yet philosophical exploration of what it means to be human. He seeks to illuminate the relationship between the mind and the brain, contending that our consciousness and identities persist irrespective of our physical vessels. In doing so, he challenges readers to re-examine their preconceived notions about life, death, and the enduring notion of the soul itself.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14733049/human-soul-proof-brain-conjoined-twins-neurosurgeon.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.discovery.org/b/the-immortal-mind/ – Dr. Michael Egnor’s forthcoming book, ‘The Immortal Mind,’ argues that the human soul transcends the brain, drawing on 40 years of neurosurgical experience and over 7,000 brain surgeries. Egnor presents evidence that the mind cannot be solely explained by the brain, using case studies of patients with significant brain damage who retain cognitive functions, and conjoined twins sharing brain parts yet maintaining distinct personalities. The book challenges materialist views, suggesting that the soul is an immaterial and immortal aspect of human existence. ([discovery.org](https://www.discovery.org/b/the-immortal-mind/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.discovery.org/p/egnor/ – Michael R. Egnor, MD, is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at Stony Brook University. He has performed over 7,000 brain surgeries and is an advocate for the existence of the soul, challenging materialist perspectives. Egnor’s research includes studies on hydrocephalus, and he has lectured extensively in the United States and Europe. His forthcoming book, ‘The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon’s Case for the Existence of the Soul,’ co-authored with Denyse O’Leary, is set to be published on June 3, 2025. ([discovery.org](https://www.discovery.org/p/egnor/?utm_source=openai))
- https://theimmortalmind.org/ – ‘The Immortal Mind’ is a forthcoming book by Dr. Michael Egnor and Denyse O’Leary, set to be published on June 3, 2025. The book presents a case for the existence of the soul, drawing on Egnor’s 40 years of neurosurgical experience and over 7,000 brain surgeries. It challenges materialist views by presenting evidence that the mind cannot be solely explained by the brain, using case studies of patients with significant brain damage who retain cognitive functions, and conjoined twins sharing brain parts yet maintaining distinct personalities. The book suggests that the soul is an immaterial and immortal aspect of human existence. ([theimmortalmind.org](https://theimmortalmind.org/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/reconciliation/science-and-the-soul – In this article, Dr. Michael Egnor discusses a case of a baby born with a significantly underdeveloped brain, who grew up to be a normal, intelligent young woman. Egnor uses this case to argue that the mind cannot be solely explained by the brain, suggesting the existence of an immaterial soul. He challenges materialist perspectives by presenting evidence that consciousness and cognitive functions are not entirely dependent on brain structure. ([plough.com](https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/reconciliation/science-and-the-soul?utm_source=openai))
- https://evolutionnews.org/2025/05/the-reality-of-the-soul-neurosurgeon-michael-egnor-on-sean-mcdowells-show/ – In this interview, Dr. Michael Egnor discusses his experiences as a neurosurgeon that led him to question materialist views of the mind. He shares cases of patients with significant brain damage who retained cognitive functions, and conjoined twins sharing brain parts yet maintaining distinct personalities. Egnor argues that these cases provide evidence for the existence of an immaterial soul that transcends the brain. ([evolutionnews.org](https://evolutionnews.org/2025/05/the-reality-of-the-soul-neurosurgeon-michael-egnor-on-sean-mcdowells-show/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Mind-Science-Continuity-Consciousness/dp/1620553031 – ‘The Immortal Mind: Science and the Continuity of Consciousness beyond the Brain’ by Ervin Laszlo and Anthony Peake explores the concept of consciousness beyond the brain. The book presents a convincing case for nonlocal consciousness, challenging the materialist view that consciousness is solely a product of brain activity. It discusses quantum physics and string theory to propose a new mechanism of consciousness-brain interactions, suggesting that consciousness may exist independently of the brain. ([amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Mind-Science-Continuity-Consciousness/dp/1620553031?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release announcing Dr. Michael Egnor’s forthcoming book, *The Immortal Mind*, scheduled for release on June 3, 2025. Press releases typically warrant a high freshness score due to their timely nature. The earliest known publication date of this content is May 2025. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No evidence of republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was found. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Dr. Michael Egnor in the narrative are consistent with his known statements and writings. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating originality. No variations in quote wording were found. No online matches were found for the quotes, suggesting potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, the Discovery Institute, which adds credibility. However, the Discovery Institute is known for promoting intelligent design, which may influence the objectivity of the content. The report mentions Dr. Michael Egnor, a neurosurgeon with an extensive career, whose professional background is verifiable. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative align with Dr. Egnor’s known views and previous publications. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a press release.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release announcing Dr. Michael Egnor’s forthcoming book, *The Immortal Mind*, scheduled for release on June 3, 2025. The quotes attributed to Dr. Egnor are consistent with his known statements, and the source is a reputable organisation. While the narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, the specific factual anchors and consistent tone support its credibility. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
