A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Formative CausationA New Science of Life attacks two major unsolved biological problems: What is the nature of life? How are the shapes and instincts of living organisms determined? Dr. Sheldrake's answer is the hypothesis of formative causation, which proposes that the form, development, and behavior of living organisms are shaped and maintained by "morphogenetic fields." These fields are molded by the form and behavior of past organisms of the same species through direct connections across both space and time. The hypothesis brings into question many of our fundamental concepts about nature, brain function, and consciousness; in effect, it reinterprets the regularities of nature as being more like habits than reflections of timeless laws. This revised and expanded edition contains an appendix of comments and discussions provoked by the first edition, as well as information on experiments conducted to examine the validity of Sheldrake's unorthodox hypothesis. It is such a radical departure from our current way of looking at the world that Sheldrake himself acknowledges, "If there does turn out to be something in it, it will probably have implications that are nothing short of revolutionary." -- Cover. |
Contents
PREFACE | 9 |
THE UNSOLVED PROBLEMS OF BIOLOGY | 17 |
THREE THEORIES OF MORPHOGENESIS | 33 |
Copyright | |
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actually aggregate animals atoms biological biologists Bohm brain cells changes characteristic chemical chreodes complex conscious creative crystals depend discussion Driesch effect electrons energetic causation energy entelechy environment evolution example existence experiment experimental explained in terms explicable fact factors final form formative causation formative field genes genetic programme higher-level hypothesis of formative idea implicate order individual influence inheritance instinctive Lamarckian living organisms mechanistic theory membrane memory metaphysical microtubules molecular molecular biology molecules morphic resonance morphic units morpho morphogenetic fields morphogenetic germ motor fields movements mutations natural selection nervous system normal occur organismic organismic theories particles particular past systems pathways patterns of behaviour phenomena physical physico-chemical plants possible potential predictions previous similar principle probability structures problem proteins quantum mechanics random rate of learning rats regeneration result Rupert Sheldrake scientific scientists Sheldrake Sheldrake's spatial species stimuli subsequent similar systems suggested tested tissues vitalist Waddington whole