What is Panpsychism? | Rupert Sheldrake, Donald Hoffman, Phillip Goff, James Ladyman

What is panpsychism? Does it finally offer an explanation of consciousness? From the problems with materialism to the tradition of dualism, we asked the world's leading thinkers to explain all.

#panpsychism #consciousness #reality #philosophy #mind

Although one of the oldest philosophical theories, panpsychism is often seen as an outsider in the philosophy of mind. Recent interest in the hard problem of consciousness however has revived interest in panpsychism and mean it could provide new understandings of the mind and view of reality. Parapsychology expert Rupert Sheldrake, professor of philosophy Phillip Goff, cognitive psychologist Donald Hoffman, philosopher James Ladyman and professor of religion Mary-Jane Rubenstein give us their views.

For more on panpsychism and conciousness watch:

Understanding Conciousness | Full Debate | Rupert Sheldrake, George Ellis, Amie Thomasson

Neuroscience of Conciousness | Raymond Tallis, Markus Gabriel, Susana Martinez Conde

DELVE DEEPER

[djrg]

"I don't know what the truth is, i'm just a scientist" - this would have to be the most honest expression i have heard.

[daithiocinnsealach]

I love Hoffman's critical yet open mind and his humility.

[rareword]

“Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in Eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity.”
Voltaire

[alanschaub]

Rupert Sheldrake will one day be seen as one of the most brilliant minds of this era.

[Jazzgriot]

Rupert Sheldrake is one of my all time heroes.

[kathyfausett]

I'm a bit surprised that nobody mentioned colony consciousness, as expressed in ant and bee hives. It's a pretty good example of consciousness on a single, small scale coexisting on a larger collective scale.

[marcg]

Donald Hoffman is so brilliant. His clarity is striking! He is just one of the most intelligent chaps alive right now. His theories are currently not broadly accepted but I predict something big will come from his thinkings around our reality being just icons on a desktop.

[santanukumaracharya]

Glad to note that Scientists are coming closer to Vedanta, that says that it is Brahman, the Absolute Consciousness, that is the only source of consciousness. It the reflection of Brahman that makes everything to appear as conscious. It was a very fruitful session for me. Thanks to all the eminent speakers.

[Demention]

It's always a pleasure to listen to Sheldrake speak!

[jgreg]

Conscious sleeps in the rock. Dreams in the plant. Awakens in the animal. Self-aware in the human.

[leslietaylor]

I'm so pleased to discover these intelligent, insightful and thought provoking videos. Thank you!

[xenosayork]

Native Americans and other indigenous cultures have known about this for a while.

I was reminded of the song 'Colors of the wind' from the Pocahontas movie. Especially when MJ Rubenstein talking.

Some of the lyrics:

"I know every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name".

"The rainstorm and the river are my brothers. The heron and the otter are my friends and we are all connected to each other in a circle, in a hoop that never ends".

[deepbodymusic]

Met Don approx 15 years ago at Esalen. He and his wife came to our table for lunch (no special lunch… it’s open) He requested feedback. I told him exactly what I was experiencing. ‘My head hurt’
When we reconvened he explained to the audience that he was accustomed to speaking to academics. Then he went on to explain a dental surgery he had where they accidentally cut his trigeminal nerve. I had never seen this from my 30 years on the path. His vulnerability changed my perspective. Personal observation…his wife was pivotal. A true shaman. (I always wonder if people take in the whole picture)
Glad to see that don is still on yet beat:)

[tottenhamhotspurish]

Rupert Sheldrake is right. I think much depression is caused because we only think we have this material life that has a lot of pain and evilness in it.

Imagine how you would feel if you knew we had souls and we were part of a much bigger picture. It would be amazing.

[howardstewart]

This guy is brilliant. I have the same beliefs, that he conveyed, without having ever known about “panpsychism”. His explanations of concepts & the nature of problems with current science theories, as well as providing an overview, is excellent.Thanks to both contributors to this podcast.

[noahdesch]

We are the universe consciously experiencing itself

[goliath]

The person I’ve heard discussing and thinking most coherently about this subject is Bernado Kastrup.

[dr.satishsharma]

Sheldreck & Dr. D. Hoffman has beautifully, convincegly and plane / simple language has described the hard problem of consciousness... thanks 🙏.

[peterdeutsch]

When there are people who dont even consider other people as people, you have be content with your own understanding of self and the world around you. Nobody else can tell you

[jewellstarsinger]

"I am probably wrong." I love this guy!