From: Lawrence de Bivort (debivort@umd5.umd.edu)
Date: Tue Jan 07 2003 - 15:37:54 GMT
> > I don't know what a true second-level science would be (I have hopes of
> > Rupert Sheldrake's morphogenesis, but recognize that it is still largely
> > speculative).
>
> Morpho-what? :) Sounds interesting. What is it?
>
It is a theory that the pattern of things (such as physical shape and
behavior) can be influenced by the pattern of things that existed before, in
ways other than the accepted mechanisms of evolution and causality, such as
genetics, physical influence, information transmissions, etc.
The very existence of previous patterns -- and nothing more -- is said, by
the Sheldrakians, to be sufficient to influence the patterns of new emergent
systems. They posit the existence of "morphogenic fields" that provide for
this transmission of pattersn. No evidence has ever been advanced that
proves the existence of such fields, and the theory has largely been
discarded. At this time, "morphogenic fields" is described, at best,
metaphorically. A spate of experiments and phenomena were advanced by the
Sheldrakians to prove the theory, but did not stand up as proof upon
scrutiny.
It was an intiguing theory, though, and Sheldrake has scientific credentials
that won it some careful attention.
Best regards,
Lawry
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