Rupert Sheldrake — On Scientism, Morphic Resonance and the Extended Mind (EP. 204)
Feb 22, 2024
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A biologist challenges scientific materialism with theories like morphic resonance and panpsychism. Topics include testing for telepathy, resisting scientific dogma, advice for young scientists, and exploring consciousness in celestial bodies. The conversation touches on the clash between innovation and established norms, skeptics' views on intuition, and the shift in atheist perspectives towards spiritual practices.
Challenging materialist dogmas with morphic resonance theory.
Encouraging young scientists to challenge conventional beliefs and join supportive communities.
Promoting an extended mind concept and redefining the nature of consciousness.
Deep dives
The Goal of the Podcast
The podcast aims to explore how to reset thinking on various issues to avoid repetitive cycles of thought, offering a fresh perspective on topics using a multifaceted lens, including history, philosophy, and science.
Discussion on Dr. Rupert Sheldrake
Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, a renowned scientist with a controversial background, challenges orthodox scientific beliefs and faces criticism for his novel scientific theories, such as morphic resonance and an expanded view of human consciousness.
Challenges to Conventional Scientific Ideas
The episode delves into the resistance faced by unconventional scientific ideas, citing examples of scientists like Dr. Rupert Sheldrake encountering opposition for questioning materialist dogmas and pushing the boundaries of mainstream scientific thought.
The Evolution of Science towards Probabilistic Thinking
The episode discusses the shift towards embracing probabilistic methodologies in contemporary science, influenced by advancements in quantum computing and chaos theory, highlighting the importance of statistical methods in various scientific disciplines.
Advice for Young Scientists
Dr. Rupert Sheldrake emphasizes the importance of acquiring conventional scientific skills and expertise while encouraging young scientists to challenge established beliefs, join supportive organizations, and consider the societal and communal aspects of scientific paradigms.
Concepts of Extended Mind and Morphic Resonance
Dr. Sheldrake promotes the ideas of an extended mind, where consciousness transcends the physical brain, and morphic resonance, suggesting that memory is not stored in the brain but accessed through a collective memory field, aiming to revolutionize conventional views on human consciousness and the nature of reality.
Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of 9 books and over 100 scientific papers. A critic of what he sees as the scientific establishment’s dogmatic dedication to materialism, he is perhaps best known for his theory of “morphic resonance,” via which information and activity can be transferred across space and time. Rupert joins the show to discuss being branded a heretic, how to test for telepathy, his advice for young scientists, and MUCH more!