The Primordial Psyche
Mario Beauregard
Mario Beauregard
Quote:Abstract:Scientific materialism is still influential in certain academic spheres. In this article, I examine multiple lines of empirical evidence showing that this ideology, while partially true, is woefully incomplete and, therefore, obsolete. This evidence indicates that we humans can-not be reduced to powerless, biophysical machines since the psyche greatly influences the activity of the brain and the body, and can operate telosomatically. Based on this evidence, I introduce the Theory of Psychelementarity (TOP) and present a few predictions. This theory proposes that the psyche plays a role as primordial as that of matter,energy, and space-time. Another central premise of this theory is that the psyche cannot be reduced to physical processes. The TOP accounts for a number of well-studied psychophysical phenomena,which are reinterpreted in light of a post-materialist perspective. This theory also accounts for anomalous phenomena that are currently rejected by materialists.
Quote:In the present article, I shall review evidence that illustrates a number of serious limitations of the materialist framework. This corpus of evidence suggests that the psyche exerts a causal influence on the activity of the brain and the body. Other evidence indicates that the psyche can operate telosomatically, i.e. beyond the confines of the brain and body. To better account for these phenomena, I propose a Theory of Psychelementarity (TOP). This theory posits that the psyche plays a role as primordial as that of matter, energy, and space-time.Another central premise of the TOP is that the psyche cannot be reduced to physical processes. Contrary to other theories, the TOP has a fledgling yet solid base of empirical evidence to support it.
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'
- Bertrand Russell
- Bertrand Russell