A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Formative Causation"Dr. Sheldrake looks at two major unsolved problems: What is the nature of life? How are the shapes and instincts of living organisms determined? His answer is the hypothesis of formative causation, which proposes that the form, development, and behavior of living organisms are shaped and maintained by specific fields as yet unrecognized by any science. These fields, labeled "morphogenetic fields," are molded by the form and behavior of past organisms of the same species through direct connections across both space and time. He calls the process "morphic resonance." In effect, Dr. Sheldrake's hypothesis of formative causation enables the regularities of nature to be seen as more like habits than as reflections of timeless laws" -- Page 4 of cover. |
Contents
PREFACE | 9 |
THE UNSOLVED PROBLEMS OF BIOLOGY | 17 |
THREE THEORIES OF MORPHOGENESIS | 33 |
Copyright | |
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aggregate animals atoms biological brain C.H. Waddington cells changes characteristic chemical chreodes complex crystals depend differentiation Driesch effects electrons energetic causation energy entelechy environment environmental enzymes evolution example existence experiment experimental explained in terms fact factors favoured final form fixed action patterns formative causation genes genetic programme higher-level hybrids hypothesis of formative individual inheritance innate instinctive Lamarckian large numbers living organisms mechanistic theory membrane memory microtubules molecular molecules morphic resonance morphic units morpho morphogenetic fields morphogenetic germ morphogenetic processes motor fields movements mutations natural selection nerve nervous system normal occur organismic organismic theories particles particular past systems patterns of behaviour phenomena physical physico-chemical plants possible predictions previous similar principle probabilistic probability structures problem proteins pseudopodia quantum random rate of learning rats regeneration regulation result role Section spatial species stimuli subsequent similar systems subsequent system suggested synthesis tissues variety vibration virtual form vitalist Waddington