Expanding the Scope of Science
ORIGINS
David Lorimer introduces the Galileo Commission Report
REMIT
The Galileo Commission was founded in 2017 with a view to expanding the worldview of science beyond its limiting materialistic assumptions, which are seldom explicitly examined. A central and widely held assumption is that the brain generates consciousness and is therefore extinguished at death.
Following widespread consultation in 2018 with 90 advisers representing 30 universities worldwide, we have published the Galileo Commission Report, written by Prof Dr Harald Walach and entitled Beyond a Materialist Worldview – Towards an Expanded Science. The report has been widely endorsed as a groundbreaking document, so we encourage you to support our movement by joining the Galileo Commission either as a Professional Affiliate or a Friend. There is also a Summary Report and a Layman’s Report, and a brief summary of the argument is available in a number of languages. We encourage you to read and support Dr Athena Potari’s Call for a Renaissance of the Spirit in the Humanities and to read our edited book Spiritual Awakenings, which documents the transformative experiences of 57 scientists and academics.
A Call for a Renaissance of the Spirit in the Humanities
The “Call for a Renaissance of the Spirit in the Humanities”, written by Dr Athena D. Potari, is a pioneering project aiming to raise awareness regarding how the prevailing paradigm of materialism affects the ways in which knowledge is approached within the context of the Humanities. In line with the Galileo Report, which discusses the importance of liberating the positive sciences from the limitations of the paradigm of scientific materialism, this Call aims at making the case for the Humanities as well. The Call explores how recent developments in scientific studies on consciousness, and the ensuing understanding that consciousness is primary and unified, can inform our understanding of what it means to be “human” with correspondingly appropriate epistemologies, as well as how we approach key areas of human activity, including ethics, politics and the environment.What people say…
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Spiritual Awakenings – Marjorie Wollacott & David Lorimer (Eds)
Scholars share the experience of their own spiritual awakening and journey, including encountering challenges to their credibility in academia, if they shared these experiences. Their comments about transformation in values, beliefs, and approaches toward life are very moving, expressing a deep inner wisdom and connection, not only with humanity, but with the earth and cosmos.
Recent News
The Extended Mind: Recent Experiments – Rupert Sheldrake
In this presentation from the 2014 Synchronicity Symposium, Galileo Commission adviser Ruper Sheldrake shares his work on designing experiments to test if people can tell if they are being stared at as well as his work on telepathy in animals. Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D. is a biologist and author of more than 80 scientific papers and 11 books, including Science Set Free.
Can we Crack the Mind-Body Problem? Part I – Emmanuel Ransford
This paper is in three parts. In this Part One, the randomness displayed by quantum objects is explored. The notion of quantumhood is then introduced. It refers to a kind of “wave wholeness” of elementary particles that, most significantly, turns out to be necessary to sustain nature’s consistency. When this quantumhood is in danger of being lost, a wave collapse, or quantum jump, is in order.
Diane Corcoran & Robert Caplan – Veteran NDEs
Diane Corcoran talks about her experience with NDEs as a US Army nurse in Vietnam and serving in the military over a 24-year career, including as Chief Nurse and Commander of a Combat Support Hospital. Robert Caplan is a Navy veteran near-death experiencer: This presentation will address my knowing of my/our true identity.
Is There Life After Death? – Panel discussion
In this panel, the legendary actor, writer and comedian John Cleese, convenes the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) research faculty to present an overview of the research to which they have dedicated their academic careers. Members of DOPS include GC advisers Bruce Greyson, Kim Penberthy, Edward Kelly, Emily Kelly, as well as Jim Tucker and Chester Carlson.
Quantum gravity and taoist cosmology – Steven Rosen
Here, a detailed analysis of cosmogony is offered, first in terms of the theory of dimensional development and its Taoist (yin-yang) counterpart, then in terms of the evolution of the elemental force particles through cycles of expansion and contraction in a spiraling universe.
Interview with Ervin Laszlo – Coronavirus and Humanity
According to 2-time nominated Nobel Peace Laureate, Ervin Laszlo, we are at a critical time for humanity, a bifurcation where we can go two ways, either into a state of chaos, where we won't survive, or to a higher state of consciousness.
