Rupert Sheldrake on The Evolution of Telepathy

Fundamental physics is at present in a confused state. Going beyond it will demand a new approach, taking into account complex structures of the kind associated with biological systems. This talk discusses what the new paradigm will look like.

Biological methodologies 'look below the surface' to understand visible phenomena, thereby disclosing hidden organisation. A similar approach to the quantum realm is likely to lead to a deeper understanding of reality than we have at present.

This lecture looks for a basis for physics able to avoid difficulties associated with present approaches. Consideration of the workings of language leads to a picture of reality involving an evolving collection of active 'expert systems', strongly constrained by the requirement of minimal disruption.

Present-day physics is running into obstacles of various kinds. It is argued that the cause of the problems is the fact that physics lacks tools appropriate to gaining a clear understanding of complexity. Alternatives such as that of coordination dynamics are likely to lead to a new level of understanding of nature, including the role played by mind.

This lecture argues that present-day physics is limited through its faiiure to take account of the role played by the complicated organisation characteristic of life (transcript available).

Talk given at the Quantum Science Symposium Europe-2018 at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, on Nov. 5th. 2018.

Lecture at the conference on homeopathy and memory of water (http://thesciencetheevidence.co.uk/) at the Royal Society of Medicine, July 14th. 2018.

It is argued that 'structures of power' corresponding to the semiotic scaffolding of biosemiotic theory play an important role in the workings of nature at a fundamental level. Detailed investigation into the associated complexity may form the basis of a new understanding of nature, thereby bringing to fruition ideas advanced by C. S. Peirce in the nineteenth century. The lecture was given on May 6th. 2018, in Hangzhou, China, and the slides can be viewed independently at https://philpapers.org/archive/JOSCOA-2.pdf. The accompanying abstract expounds these ideas in more detail.

Lecture given at the Frontiers of Fundamental Physics 15 Conference held at Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain on 29 Nov. 2017, arguing that at the most fundamental level nature, characterised in biosemiotic terms, is essentially biological.

Lecture given at the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting