The speaker discusses how modern science has become rigid and dogmatic, adhering to 10 assumptions that are rarely questioned. These assumptions, or "dogmas," include:
1. Nature is mechanical and machine-like.
2. Matter is unconscious.
3. Laws of nature are fixed and unchanging.
4. The total amount of matter and energy is always the same.
5. Nature is purposeless.
6. Biological heredity is solely material.
7. Memories are stored in the brain as material traces.
8. The mind is solely located inside the head.
9. Psychic phenomena are impossible.
10. Mechanistic medicine is the only effective form of medicine.
The speaker argues that these dogmas have become ingrained in the scientific community, stifling free inquiry and creativity. He proposes that by questioning these assumptions, science can be "set free" and undergo a renaissance.
He specifically discusses the idea that the laws of nature may not be fixed, but rather evolving, and that the constants of nature, such as the speed of light and gravitational constant, may not be as constant as assumed. He also explores the idea that the mind is not solely located inside the brain, but rather extends beyond it, and that vision involves an outward projection of images.
The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of questioning these dogmas and encourages scientists to think more creatively and open-mindedly.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker believes that science has been conducted under the aspect of a belief system, specifically materialism, since the late 19th century.
2. The speaker identifies 10 dogmas of science that they believe are questionable.
3. The 10 dogmas are:
1. Nature is mechanical or machine-like.
2. Matter is unconscious.
3. The laws of nature are fixed.
4. The constants of nature are fixed.
5. The total amount of matter and energy is always the same.
6. Nature is purposeless.
7. Biological heredity is material.
8. Memories are stored inside the brain as material traces.
9. The mind is inside the head.
10. Mechanistic medicine is the only kind that really works.
4. The speaker believes that these dogmas are based on assumptions that have not been proven.
5. The speaker's book, "The Science Solution" (also known as "Science Set Free" in the United States), challenges these dogmas and presents alternative perspectives.
6. The speaker proposes an alternative idea, "morphic resonance," which suggests that nature's habits evolve over time.
7. The speaker cites evidence from experiments with rats and crystals that supports the idea of morphic resonance.
8. The speaker questions the assumption that the laws of nature are fixed and suggests that they may evolve over time.
9. The speaker notes that the speed of light has been measured to be different at different times and places.
10. The speaker suggests that the gravitational constant (Big G) may vary over time and from place to place.
11. The speaker believes that the nature of the mind is the most unsolved problem in science.
12. The speaker proposes that vision involves an outward projection of images, rather than being solely located inside the brain.
13. The speaker notes that recent experimental research suggests that people can sense being stared at, and that this may have evolved in the context of predator-prey relationships.