Science and/or metaphysics?
Lecture by Rupert Sheldrake PhD on the 24th of November 2019
Are science and metaphysics deadly enemies or friends? Since the age of Enlightenment, Western culture has become certain that science will sooner or later answer all of our questions, and that religion and faith will be viewed as obsolete medieval superstitions. But have we not threwn out the baby with the bath water? What is the strength of modern scientific research? What is the clear scientific evidence for the validity of metaphysics, which is still taboo by modern scientific research?
The purpose of our event is to build a bridge between science and metaphysics.
In this, two prominent figures, – Rupert Sheldrake PhD, father of morphogenetic field theory, former director of the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of Cambridge, a researcher at the Royal Society of Natural Sciences, and István Héjjas PhD, an engineer, inventor, co-author of numerous scientific articles and books – will help us. They are both experts of this field and their whole oeuvre builds this bridge. We welcome everyone, whether on the ground of science or belief, and whether they are interested or skeptical about the other side. We are sure that the evening will inspire questions, new opportunities and exciting discoveries for every participants!
Part 1.: Rupert Sheldrake PhD – „BEYOND SCIENTIFIC DOGMAS: Freeing the Spirit of Inquiry”
Recent research has revealed unexpected problems at the heart of physics, cosmology, biology, medicine and psychology. In the sceptical spirit of scientific enquiry, Rupert Sheldrake turns the ten fundamental dogmas of science into questions, opening up startling new possibilities. For example, the “laws of nature” may be habits that change and evolve. Minds may extend far beyond brains. The total amount of matter and energy may be increasing. Memories may not be stored as traces in our brains. Sheldrake argues that science would be better off without its dogmas: freer, more interesting and more fun.
Part 2.: Rupert Sheldrake PhD – „SCIENCE AND SPIRTUAL PRACTICES”
Although traditional religion has declined in Europe, recent studies have shown that spiritual experiences are surprisingly common even among those who are non-religious, including near-death experiences and spontaneous mystical insights. Meanwhile, the effects of spiritual practices are now being investigated scientifically as never before, and many studies have shown that such practices generally make people happier and healthier. Rupert Sheldrake will discuss several practices which are part of all religions, and which are also open to people with no religious affiliation, including meditation, chanting, rituals and pilgrimage.
The initial talk will be taken by István Héjjas PhD. He is an engineer, member of several scientific societies, author and co-author of 26 patented inventions and awarded with the Golden Inventor of Excellence. He is the author of numerous scientific articles and literary works. On the topics of his taste presentation:
How can modern physics explain the existence and functioning of life and consciousness? What is Unified Field Theory and the mysterious “Fifth Field”? Can consciousness exist independently of the brain or what is the real role of our brain? Is there a physical, biochemical, bioelectric, neuro-physiological, or other “material” explanation behind the subjective feeling of pain and joy, morality, and conscience?
Program
16.00–16.45 István Héjjas PhD – „Matter and Consciousness in Modern Science”
17.15–18.00 Rupert Sheldrake PhD, Part 1. – „BEYOND SCIENTIFIC DOGMAS: Freeing the Spirit of Inquiry”
18.30–19.15 Rupert Sheldrake PhD, Part 2. – „Science and Spiritual Practices”
19.15– Q&A and book signing
Venue: Dürer Rendezvényház, Cinema Hall (first building on the right)
Address: 1146 Budapest, Ajtósi Dürer sor 19–21
In addition to the full selection of Casparus Publishing, all Hungarian books by Dr. Rupert Sheldrake will be available for purchase on site.
The buffet is served during the evening by the Napfényes Confectionery.
Ticket price: 8900 HUF.
Organizer: Casparus Kiadó, https://casparus.hu
The organizers reserve the right to change the program.
Rupert Sheldrake PhD
Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D. is a biologist and author of more than ninety scientific papers and nine books, including The Science Delusion. He was a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge University, a Frank Know Fellow at Harvard University, a Research Fellow of the Royal Society, and Principal Plant Physiologist at ICRISAT (the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) in Hyderabad, India. He also lived in the Benedictine ashram of Fr Bede Griffiths in South India for two years. From 2005-2010 he was Director of the Perrott-Warrick Project, funded from Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, and a Fellow of Schumacher College in Devon.
Born in England, Rupert Sheldrake has many ties to India, where he worked for many years as a researcher at the Royal Society of Natural Sciences and wrote his first book here, entitled The New Science of Life. There he also met his wife, the music therapist Jill Purce, whom she has been married to since 1985 and had two sons.
After more than half a century of research, about eighty studies and fifteen books, dr. Rupert Sheldrake is still active, giving lectures and publishing, arguing for a living and conscious universe and a holisticm Goethean approach to science, and fighting against intellectual dogmatism.
István Héjjas PhD
He was born in 1938. In 1961 he received an honors degree in mechanical engineering. He graduated from the Budapest University of Technology in 1973. He is deeply involved in mathematics, electronics, automation, laser metering and spectrophotometry research. For decades, he has dealt extensively with ancient religions and philosophies of the Far East, and the similarities and parallel ideas between these and modern scientific discoveries. For many years after his retirement, as a college associate professor, he lectured on computer science as well as ancient Hindu and Chinese religious philosophy as part of his philosophy course. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles, co-author of two technical books, and author of ten educational works on modern physics, environmental science, and ancient Chinese and Indian philosophies. He is currently a retired major in energy policy and environmental issues and regularly publishes in this field.
„I am all in favour of science and reason if they are scientific and reasonable. But I am against granting scientists and the materialist worldview an exemption from critical thinking and sceptical investigation. We need an enlightenment of the Enlightenment.”
„According to a classic analogy, science is like a light sphere floating in dark space. Inside the sphere is scientific knowledge and around it is a boundless, unknown empire. The greater our knowledge, the greater the light sphere. The larger sphere is in contact with the outer dark space on an increasing surface, and therefore more and more unanswered questions. These unanswered questions cover the surface of the sphere, and the outer space is full of questions that we do not even know existed at all.”
FAQ
If you have a problem buying tickets or you have a question, write to us at info@casparus.hu.
