Why We Might Live in a Conscious Universe | Rupert Sheldrake

Rupert Sheldrake explores the radical implications of panpsychism.

If the panpsychists are right, why should we stop at the brain?

Most scientists think that consciousness is created by the brain. After all, most assume consciousness vanishes if the brain is destroyed. But what if this consensus view is radically mistaken? Join distinguished Cambridge scientist Rupert Sheldrake as he argues that the mind extends beyond the brain and explores the radical implications of this account.

Rupert Sheldrake is a preeminent biologist and author best known for his hypothesis of morphic resonance. His books include Science and Spiritual Practices, Ways to Go Beyond And Why They Work and The Science Delusion. Furthermore, he was ranked in the top 100 thought leaders for 2013 by the Duttweiler Institute, Switzerland's leading think tank, and has been recognised as one of the 'most spiritually influential living people' by Watkins' Mind Body Spirit Magazine.

00:00 Introduction
03:18 The hard problem of consciousness
03:58 Panpsychism
05:06 Why stop at the brain?
08:07 Anima mundi
08:55 Angels
09:54 An ultimate consciousness
10:50 Mystical experiences