Alan Lightman, a renowned professor at MIT and author of 'Einstein's Dreams,' merges his scientific and literary insights to discuss transcendence without invoking the supernatural. He reflects on the creative interplay between science and art, sharing poignant experiences like witnessing adolescent ospreys take flight. Delving into consciousness, he considers how spirituality intersects with scientific understanding, encouraging an exploration of human experiences and meaningful connections, regardless of belief systems.
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Transcendent Experience in a Boat
Alan Lightman describes a transcendent experience while lying in a boat under the stars.
He felt connected to the cosmos, losing his sense of self and time.
insights INSIGHT
Transcendence and Naturalism
Lightman believes transcendent experiences are real but not supernatural.
He views them as evidence of human sensitivity to emotional experiences, not of a deity.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Connection with Ospreys
Lightman shares another transcendent experience involving eye contact with ospreys.
He felt a deep connection with the birds, a sense of shared existence and brotherhood.
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In 'Einstein's Dreams', Alan Lightman imagines the dreams Albert Einstein might have had in the months leading up to his submission of the special theory of relativity in 1905. The book consists of 30 chapters, each representing a dream that explores a different mechanism of time and its effects on human experience. These dreams range from time standing still, to time rushing quickly at the edges but standing suspended at the center, to time being cyclical and repetitive. The novel also includes interludes that return to Einstein's waking life, offering insights into his personal struggles and his relationship with his friend Michele Besso. The book is a blend of science, philosophy, and fiction, exploring themes of time, free will, and the human condition.
Let’s say, for sake of argument, that you don’t believe in God or the supernatural. Is there still a place for talking about transcendence, the sacred, and meaning in life? Some of the above, but not all? Today’s guest, Alan Lightman, brings a unique perspective to these questions, as someone who has worked within both the sciences and the humanities at the highest level. In his most recent book, Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine, he makes the case that naturalists should take transcendence seriously. We talk about the assumptions underlying scientific practice, and the implications that the finitude of our lives has for our search for meaning. Support Mindscape on Patreon or Paypal. Alan Lightman received his Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology. After a number of years working as a theoretical astrophysicist specializing in black holes and high-energy processes, he scored an international bestseller with his novel Einstein’s Dreams. Increasingly concentrating on writing, he moved from Harvard to MIT, where he became the first professor to be jointly appointed in the sciences and the humanities. He later was made the John Burchard Professor of Humanities at MIT, which he has subsequently stepped down from to devote more time to writing. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gemant Award from the American Institute of Physics. He is also the founder of the Harpswell Foundation, which supports young women leaders in Southeast Asia. Web page Wikipedia Amazon author page Harpswell Foundation
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