This ConnectIONS Live video recording is available to the public until June 14, 2024.
After that time they are available to IONS Members. (Members, see the ConnectIONS Live video portfolio.)
Notes of Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness and Being
Recorded on April 19, 2024
Complexity theory provides a unique way of understanding the processes whereby the universe gives rise to living, conscious beings and, indeed, may be considered living and conscious foundationally and its totality.
This talk moved from using complexity to weave together contemporary understandings of biology, chemistry, and physics (including relativity and quantum mechanics) to perspectives on how consciousness and our universe are related. Insights from contemplative spiritual practices – wherein the mind examines itself – were included.
Co-hosted by the Scientific and Medical Network
PRESENTER
Neil Theise, MD, is a professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Through his scientific research, he has been a pioneer of adult stem cell plasticity and the anatomy of the human interstitium. Dr. Theise’s studies in complexity theory have led to interdisciplinary collaborations in fields such as integrative medicine, consciousness studies, and science-religion dialogue. He comes from a spiritual background of devotional Jewish practices, is a Senior Student at the Village Zendo in NYC, and has been initiated into shamanic practice.
HOST
David Lorimer is a writer, lecturer, poet, and editor who is a Founder of Character Education Scotland, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network, and former President of Wrekin Trust and the Swedenborg Society. He has also been editor of Paradigm Explorer since 1986 and completed his 100th issue in 2019. He is the author and editor of over a dozen books, including Survival? Death as Transition, Resonant Mind (originally Whole in One), The Spirit of Science, Thinking Beyond the Brain, and Radical Prince about the ideas and work of the Prince of Wales. He is the originator of the Inspiring Purpose Values Poster Programmes, which has reached over 350,000 young people. He is also Chair of the Galileo Commission which seeks to widen science beyond a materialistic worldview. Visit his website to learn more.
We are pleased to share the following resources mentioned in the webinar:
Articles
- Theise ND, Kafatos MC. Fundamental Awareness: a framework for integrating science, philosophy and metaphysics. Communicative and Integrative Biology 2016; 9
- Theise ND, Kafatos M. Complementarity in biological systems. Complexity 2013; 18: 11–20
- Two chapters in Quantum and Consciousness Revisited (ed. Menas C. Kafatos Debashish Banerji Daniele C. Struppa) (available for purchase or interlibrary loan)
1. Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorems, Complementarity and Fundamental Awareness — Neil D. Theise, Goro C. Kato, Menas C. Kafatos. pp 251-284.
2. Complexity Theory and Quantum-like Qualities in Biology — Neil D. Theise pp 285-310.
Videos
- Everything Only Looks Like a Thing
- Interview, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown – “Overcome the Illusion of separation”
- Reading at the Bureau of General Services/Queer Division bookstore – “Queer Science”
- Interview, Buddha at the Gas Pump
Podcasts / CD
Books
- Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being.
- Quantum and Consciousness Revisited (ed. Menas C. Kafatos Debashish Banerji Daniele C. Struppa) (available for purchase or interlibrary loan)
- Awakening: Exploring Spirituality, Emergent Creativity, and Reconciliation. (eds. Neufeld Redekop V, Neufeld Redekop G): Lexington Books, 2019.
- Transforming: Applying Spirituality, Emergent Creativity, and Reconciliation. (eds. Neufeld Redekop V, Neufeld Redekop G): Lexington Books, 2021.