In the realm of scientific thought, the idea that everything about our consciousness is confined to the brain is a product of materialist thinking. This perspective suggests that all mental processes are localized within our heads. However, since the 19th century, science has expanded its view of nature, particularly through the concept of fields.
Michael Faraday was a pioneer in introducing the idea of fields, particularly in relation to electric and magnetic phenomena. Later, Albert Einstein extended this concept to include gravitational fields. Fields are essentially regions of influence that are usually invisible to the naked eye. For instance, the Earth’s gravitational field extends far beyond its surface, affecting everything from our weight to the moon’s orbit and the ocean tides.
Similarly, electrical and magnetic fields extend beyond physical objects. The electromagnetic fields emitted by devices like mobile phones permeate our environment, even though we cannot see them. Despite these advancements in understanding, some materialist theories of the brain have not fully embraced the implications of fields. I propose that the fields of our minds extend beyond our physical bodies, and that our consciousness is intertwined with these fields. To tackle the “hard problem” of consciousness, we should consider these fields alongside brain processes.
Vision provides a clear example of how our minds might extend beyond our brains. When light enters our eyes, it creates inverted images on the retina, which are then processed by the brain. The intriguing question is how we perceive these images as three-dimensional and full-color experiences. While traditional science suggests these images exist inside our heads, our actual experience is that they are part of the external world.
This idea contrasts with the older extramission theory of vision, which posits that images are projected outward from the eyes. This theory has historical roots, seen in the work of ancient Greeks and developmental psychologists like Jean Piaget, who observed that young children often believe they project images outward. The extramission theory is still used to explain how mirrors work, where light reflects and creates virtual images. Despite being considered unconventional in biology and psychology, many people, including children, intuitively believe in visual extramission.
Research by Gerald Wier at Ohio State University found that many adults and children believe in visual extramission, even after being taught otherwise. Recent studies have shown that people often attribute a gentle force to their gaze, suggesting a deep-seated belief in extramission. This phenomenon, known as scopesthesia, refers to the common experience of sensing when someone is looking at you, which has been documented in various studies.
The sense of being stared at is well-documented and has significant statistical backing. Experiments conducted over decades have shown that people can often accurately guess when they are being observed. This ability is not just a human trait; many animals also exhibit this sensitivity, likely evolved for predator-prey dynamics.
If our minds extend beyond the brain and interact with electromagnetic fields, it opens up new avenues for understanding consciousness. The traditional view, which confines the mind to the brain, is limiting. By liberating our understanding of the mind from this constraint, we can make significant progress in addressing the relationship between mind and brain.
Additionally, the concept of the extended mind includes phenomena like phantom limbs, where individuals feel sensations in limbs that are no longer there. This suggests that our consciousness may not be solely confined to the brain.
Thank you for engaging with these ideas. I’m Rupert Sheldrake, and if you’re interested in learning more about my work, you can visit my website or my YouTube channel. I’m also researching the feeling of being stared at and have developed an app to help train this sensitivity. If you have suggestions or experiences to share, please reach out. Thank you, and I hope you join me for future explorations with After Skool.
Conduct a hands-on experiment to explore the concept of fields. Use magnets and iron filings to visualize magnetic fields, or create a simple circuit to demonstrate electric fields. Reflect on how these fields might relate to the concept of consciousness extending beyond the brain.
Participate in a workshop that examines how we perceive images. Use optical illusions and virtual reality tools to explore the difference between the physical processing of images in the brain and the subjective experience of seeing. Discuss how this relates to the idea of the mind extending beyond the brain.
Engage in a structured debate on the extramission theory of vision. Research historical and modern perspectives on this theory, and present arguments for and against the idea that images are projected outward from the eyes. Consider how this theory might influence our understanding of consciousness.
Participate in a series of experiments designed to test your sensitivity to being stared at. Work in pairs to conduct blind tests and record your ability to sense when someone is looking at you. Analyze the results and discuss potential implications for the concept of the extended mind.
Prepare a presentation on the concept of the extended mind, incorporating recent research and theories. Focus on phenomena such as phantom limbs and the interaction of consciousness with electromagnetic fields. Present your findings to the class and lead a discussion on the implications for understanding consciousness.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, with unnecessary repetitions and filler words removed for clarity:
—
[Music]
The idea that everything is confined to the brain is a limitation of materialist thinking. Materialist views localize everything within the head, but since the 19th century, science has adopted a broader perspective on nature, particularly through the concept of fields. Michael Faraday introduced fields in relation to electric and magnetic phenomena, and Einstein expanded this to include gravitational fields. Fields are defined as regions of influence that are usually invisible. For example, the gravitational field of the Earth extends far beyond it, holding us down and affecting the moon’s orbit and the tides.
Electrical and magnetic fields also extend beyond physical objects. The electromagnetic fields from devices like mobile phones are present in our environment, even if we can’t see them. This understanding from 19th and 20th-century science has not been fully embraced by those adhering to materialist theories of the brain. I propose that the fields of our minds extend beyond our bodies and that our consciousness is related to these fields. To address the “hard problem” of consciousness, we should consider these fields alongside brain processes.
A clear example of this is vision. Light enters the eyes, creating inverted images on the retina, which then undergo various transformations in the brain. However, the mysterious part is how we create three-dimensional, full-color images. While the standard scientific view suggests these images are inside our heads, our actual experience is that they exist in the external world. This contrasts with the older extramission theory of vision, which posits that images are projected outward.
This idea has historical roots, as seen in the work of ancient Greeks and developmental psychologists like Jean Piaget, who noted that young children believe they project images outward. The theory of extramission is still used in explaining how mirrors work, where light reflects and creates virtual images. Despite being considered heretical in biology and psychology, many people, including children, intuitively believe in visual extramission.
Research by Gerald Wier at Ohio State University found that many adults and children believe in visual extramission, even after being taught otherwise. More recent studies have shown that people attribute a gentle force to their gaze, suggesting a deep-seated belief in extramission. This phenomenon, known as scopesthesia, refers to the common experience of feeling when someone is looking at you, which has been documented in various studies.
The sense of being stared at is well-documented and has significant statistical backing. Experiments conducted over decades have shown that people can often accurately guess when they are being looked at. This ability is not just a human trait; many animals also exhibit this sensitivity, likely evolved for predator-prey dynamics.
If our minds extend beyond the brain and interact with electromagnetic fields, it opens up new avenues for understanding consciousness. The traditional view, which confines the mind to the brain, is limiting. I suggest that when we liberate our understanding of the mind from this constraint, we can make significant progress in addressing the relationship between mind and brain.
Additionally, the concept of the extended mind includes phenomena like phantom limbs, where individuals feel sensations in limbs that are no longer there. This suggests that our consciousness may not be solely confined to the brain.
Thank you for watching this video produced by After Skool. I’m Rupert Sheldrake. If you want to learn more about my work, you can visit my website or my YouTube channel. I’m also researching the feeling of being stared at and have developed an app to help train this sensitivity. If you have suggestions or experiences to share, please reach out. Thank you, and I hope you watch my next production with After Skool.
—
This version maintains the core ideas while improving readability and coherence.
Consciousness – The state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings. – In cognitive psychology, researchers study how different states of consciousness affect human behavior and decision-making.
Fields – Areas of study or activity, especially within a particular subject or profession. – The fields of neuroscience and psychology often overlap when exploring the biological basis of behavior.
Vision – The faculty or state of being able to see; the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. – In the study of human vision, scientists examine how the brain processes visual information received from the eyes.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – Psychology offers insights into how cognitive processes influence our interactions with the world.
Extramission – An outdated theory that visual perception is accomplished by rays emitted by the eyes. – Although the extramission theory has been debunked, it played a role in the historical development of our understanding of vision.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Conducting research in psychology involves designing experiments to test hypotheses about human behavior.
Mind – The set of cognitive faculties that enables consciousness, perception, thinking, judgment, and memory. – The study of the mind is central to psychology, as it seeks to understand how mental processes influence behavior.
Perception – The process by which individuals organize and interpret sensory information to give meaning to their environment. – Perception is a key topic in psychology, as it affects how we interpret and interact with the world around us.
Electromagnetic – Relating to the interrelation of electric currents or fields and magnetic fields. – Electromagnetic waves, such as light, play a crucial role in the study of optics and vision science.
Scopesthesia – The purported phenomenon of sensing being stared at. – Although scopesthesia is often considered a pseudoscience, it raises interesting questions about human perception and awareness.
