Consciousness Unbound

'Consciousness Unbound' provides a thoughtful and thorough examination of modern theories about the non-material nature of the universe that are alternatives to the reductive nature of scientific materialism. This volume is the third major output of a series of Esalen Institute Research seminars discussing empirical evidence regarding the question of postmortem survival. The creation of the three volumes was spearheaded by Edward Kelly of the University of Virginia, in collaboration with other editors, and Kelly brings some of the best minds in this field together to discuss issues that makes the volumes compelling. The first two volumes, 'Irreducible Mind' and 'Beyond Physicalism' (Kelly et al., 2007, 2015), provide helpful additional resources that lay important groundwork for this volume, as well as providing research from neuroscience and philosophy that support the proposition that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of nature. As you read through 'Consciousness Unbound', you will fully engage on how each contributor systematically unfolded their findings and insights, receiving a clear explanation of the roots and scientific bases of metaphysical theories such as idealism and dual-aspect monism, as well as their relevance in understanding the nature of the universe. This volume starts with the statement that “most contemporary psychologists, neuroscientists, and philosophers of mind subscribe explicitly or implicitly to some version of ‘physicalism', the austere philosophical descendant of the ‘materialism of previous centuries”. This view holds that all aspects of mind and consciousness are produced by the brain and depend on it for their existence. Within this view all humans, other animals, and plants are seen as simply extremely complex biological machines. The contributors to this volume take a very different view. 

The volume is divided into three parts. Part I focuses on phenomena considered challenging for theoreticians of consciousness, including chapters on Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) (by Greyson), Cases of the Reincarnation Type (by Tucker), and Precognition (by Rosenberg). These are difficult because they belong to a category of anomalous phenomena that challenge our understanding of what happens after death (NEDs and reincarnation), and of the nature of time, causality, and freewill (precognition). Part II introduces new theoretical horizons and includes five frameworks or metaphysical perspectives on the fundamental nature of consciousness that oppose the materialist perspective. These include chapters on C.G. Jung’s holism (by Main), reflexive monism (by Velmans), A neo-Hegelian theory of mystical experience (by Magee), analytic idealism (by Kastrup), and a new quantum physics approach to the primacy of consciousness (by Faggin). Finally, Part III focuses on further horizons in science, the humanities and philosophy, with chapters on Expanding a Science of Consciousness (by Presti), The Future of the Humanities (by Kripal), Mind Beyond Brain, focusing on the mystical landscape (by Marshall) and an Epilogue, looking at an emerging vision of consciousness (by Kelly).

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