Transcendent Mind: Rethinking the Science of Consciousness Authors by Imants Barušs and Julia Mossbridge

Abstract

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a kingdom called Science whose citizens were guided by a uniform belief — that their consciousness is produced by the chemistry, physiology, and anatomy of the physical brain. Forfeited in this belief was the capacity for free will, as well as any higher meaning and purpose to existence. The possibility that consciousness might survive the physical death of the brain and body was considered absurd, heretical, blasphemous. The guardians of science exerted enormous pressure to conform to the concept of materialism undergirding this cherished belief system. In support of these beliefs, an enormous body of data was marshaled that, they were convinced, confirmed their views. They were so committed to their position that evidence to the contrary was largely dismissed as irrelevant, and those who dared to challenge the materialistic perspective were often denigrated as traitors to the scientific tradition. But just when the materialistic edifice was considered beyond reproach and safe from significant challenge, there came this shocking announcement from two prominent consciousness researchers: “We are in the midst of a sea change. Receding from view is materialism, whereby physical phenomena are assumed to be primary and consciousness is regarded as secondary. Approaching our sights is a complete reversal of perspective. According to this alternative view, consciousness is primary and the physical is secondary. In other words, materialism is receding and giving way to ideas about reality in which consciousness plays a key role.”