Evidence That Your Mind is NOT Just In Your Brain - Rupert Sheldrake

Summary

The video explores the idea that consciousness and the mind extend beyond the brain, challenging materialist views. It introduces the concept of fields in science, drawing parallels between electromagnetic fields and the mind's ability to reach out beyond the body. Rupert Sheldrake discusses the phenomenon of feeling stared at, proposing it as evidence of mind interacting with fields. He suggests that consciousness is not confined to the brain but extends through the body and beyond, offering a broader perspective on the mind-body connection and the hard problem of consciousness.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The idea that everything is confined to the brain is too limiting; there are broader scientific perspectives that include fields extending beyond the brain.
• ⚡ Fields like gravitational, electromagnetic, and others are invisible but have major influences on physical objects, stretching far beyond them.
• 🧠 The brain and mind are often localized, but fields of the mind might extend beyond the body, suggesting that consciousness is not confined to the head.
• 👁️ Extramission theory suggests that images are not just received by the brain but also projected outward, meaning what we see exists where it appears, not solely inside our heads.
• 🔄 Intromission (light entering the eyes) and extramission (images projected outward) are two theories of vision, with the latter being taught for understanding mirrors and still held by many.
• 👀 The sense of being stared at, or 'scopaesthesia,' is a common experience and has been statistically verified through numerous experiments.
• 🔬 Experiments show that even though people are taught that nothing goes out of the eyes, many retain a belief in extramission, indicating it's a deeply ingrained concept.
• 🐾 Animals, like humans, seem to possess the ability to sense when they are being looked at, which may have evolved in predator-prey relationships.
• 🧬 The sense of being stared at is thought to have biological and evolutionary roots, with practical applications in fields like martial arts and detective work.
• 🌟 Minds may extend beyond the brain through fields and may interact with electromagnetism, challenging the traditional view that consciousness is confined to the brain.

Q & A

What is the main argument Rupert Sheldrake presents about the brain and mind in this transcript?

Sheldrake argues that the idea that the mind is confined to the brain is limiting. He proposes that consciousness and the mind extend beyond the brain, interacting with the world through invisible fields, much like how gravitational or electromagnetic fields work.

What scientific concept does Sheldrake use to explain how minds might extend beyond the brain?

Sheldrake uses the concept of fields, like gravitational or electromagnetic fields, to explain how the mind could extend beyond the brain. He suggests that consciousness operates through these invisible fields, much like physical forces in nature.

How does Sheldrake connect vision to his theory of the extended mind?

Sheldrake explains that when we see something, we are not just processing images inside our heads. He argues that vision involves a projection of images outward, meaning our consciousness extends to where the objects are, rather than just being confined to our brain.

What is the 'intromission' theory of vision, and how does it differ from the 'extramission' theory?

The intromission theory of vision, developed by Kepler, holds that light enters the eyes and forms images inside the brain. The extramission theory, which Sheldrake supports, suggests that not only does light come in, but our mind projects images outward, creating a more extended experience of vision.

What does Sheldrake mean by 'scopesthesia,' and how does it relate to his theory of the extended mind?

Scopesthesia refers to the sense of being stared at. Sheldrake uses it to support his theory of the extended mind, suggesting that when someone looks at us, their mind might be reaching out through invisible fields, allowing us to feel their gaze.

What evidence does Sheldrake provide for the sense of being stared at?

Sheldrake cites experiments conducted at over 37 schools and colleges, along with research at the Nemo Science Museum, which involved 20,000 participants. These experiments showed statistically significant results indicating that people can sense when they are being stared at, supporting his theory.

How does Sheldrake use animal behavior to support his argument?

Sheldrake points out that many animals have the ability to sense when they are being watched by predators. This evolutionary trait, he argues, suggests that the ability to sense a gaze could be biologically ingrained and that the mind might extend outward to interact with the world.

What does Sheldrake say about phantom limbs in relation to the extended mind?

Sheldrake suggests that people who experience phantom limbs are not just feeling sensations inside their brain but are projecting a part of their mind to the location where the limb used to be, which aligns with his theory of the mind extending beyond the brain.

What does Sheldrake believe about the connection between consciousness and electromagnetism?

Sheldrake proposes that consciousness may interface with electromagnetic fields, much like brain activity correlates with electromagnetic signals. He suggests that this interaction could extend beyond the brain, challenging the conventional view that consciousness is confined to the head.

What is Sheldrake's critique of materialist theories of the brain and consciousness?

Sheldrake criticizes materialist theories for confining consciousness and the mind to the brain, arguing that these views ignore the broader possibilities offered by the concept of fields and the extended mind. He believes that limiting consciousness to the brain hinders progress in solving the 'hard problem' of mind-brain interaction.