đđď¸đŽ 224 - HelaneĚ Wahbeh of IONS on Arguments against Materialism and for New Theories of Consciousness
Aug 6, 2024
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HelanĂŠ Wahbeh, Director of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and a neurology professor, dives deep into consciousness research. She challenges traditional materialistic views, advocating for new theories and examining evidence for non-local consciousness. The discussion includes the societal stigma around extraordinary perceptual abilities and the significance of transcultural experiences. She explores telepathy, precognition, and the need for unflinching research in this promising field. Get ready for a thought-provoking journey beyond conventional boundaries!
The podcast discusses the historical stigma against expressing non-material forms of consciousness, which has hindered open dialogue and exploration of these topics.
HelanĂŠ Wahbeh emphasizes how the Institute of Noetic Sciences challenges traditional materialist perspectives and explores alternative theories of consciousness through rigorous scientific inquiry.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Consciousness Exploration
Historically, expressing certain forms of consciousness or psychic abilities often led to violent repercussions, such as accusations of witchcraft and brutal punishment. This context creates a strong reluctance among individuals to openly discuss their experiences with mind-reading or similar phenomena, fearing social stigmatization or professional consequences. Although the physical stakes are not present today, a cultural 'burning at the stake' persists in academic and social circles, discouraging open dialogue about these topics. However, there is a shifting narrative as more individuals are beginning to share their experiences, leading to a growing sense of safety and community among those who have felt similarly marginalized.
The Institute of Noetic Sciences and Consciousness Research
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) plays a pivotal role in researching consciousness from a perspective that challenges traditional materialistic viewpoints. Established by astronaut Edgar Mitchell, IONS seeks to uncover the interconnectedness of life through rigorous scientific inquiry into non-material aspects of reality, including mind-body interactions and telepathy. Their latest research review delves into whether consciousness is simply an emergent property of the brain or if there are alternative models that could explain phenomena frequently dismissed by the conventional scientific community. This exploration acknowledges that while materialist models have their utility, they do not satisfactorily account for many experiential and experimental findings related to consciousness.
Experiential Evidence of Non-Local Consciousness
Numerous documented phenomena suggest the existence of non-local consciousness, where individuals can perceive or affect distant events or communicate telepathically. Studies, including successful military remote viewing operations, highlight the possibility that such skills can be developed and utilized to gather information beyond conventional means. Reports of terminal lucidity, where patients regaining cognitive function shortly before death contradicts physicalist interpretations of consciousness, further challenge our understanding of the brain-mind relationship. The collective human experiences of these phenomena across cultures lend significant credence to the argument that consciousness may not be strictly localized within the brain but could involve broader, non-material dimensions.
Paradigm Shifts and the Future of Consciousness Studies
A paradigm shift in the scientific community is emerging, where traditional physicalist models are being questioned, allowing room for post-materialist interpretations of consciousness. The conversation is moving toward formalizing non-local consciousness theories that provide a framework for testing these phenomena scientifically. Initiatives like IONS' contest to synthesize existing theories showcase the emerging interest in collaborative research that spans multiple disciplines. Additionally, ongoing studies that focus on genetic correlations and altered states of consciousness may unlock new approaches to understanding the complexities of human awareness and experience.
In this conversation we take a thirty-thousand foot view of the history and future of the science of consciousness, the socioeconomic impediments to unflinching consciousness research, and the overwhelming weight of transcultural experience that make this such a promising domain for fundamental investigation.
Dig into an extensive back catalog of consciousness-research-flavored episodes (psi phenomena, non-ordinary states, psychedelic neuroscience, oracular praxes, time and consciousness, etc.) at the Future Fossils Consciousness Research Spotify playlist or through the following Substack links:
This is a public episode. If youâd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe
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