Morphic field
Morphic fields are a central concept in the theory of Rupert Sheldrake, a British biologist and researcher. They represent an alternative explanation for the order and structure of life and nature that goes beyond conventional scientific understanding.
What are morphic fields?
Morphic fields are invisible field structures that underlie the forms and behaviors of living beings and non-living systems. These fields influence all forms of nature, from biology and behavior to social and cultural patterns.
Sheldrake postulates that morphic fields act like a memory, influencing both the physical structure of organisms and their behavior. These fields are not static but dynamic and can adapt over time based on the frequency and repetition of certain patterns or processes.
Key Aspects of Morphic Fields:
Memory of Nature
Morphic fields are like an invisible memory that stores information and passes it on to subsequent generations of living beings. Living beings inherit not only genetic information, but also certain patterns and behaviors mediated by these fields.
Resonance
Resonance means that the more frequently a certain pattern or behavior occurs in nature, the stronger the morphic field becomes and the more likely it is that this pattern will be adopted by other living beings. This is the basis of Sheldrake's theory of morphic resonance.
Inheritance of Forms and Behavior
Sheldrake proposes that not only genetic information is passed on from one generation to the next, but also the behavioral patterns and forms of living beings. This explains why animals in different parts of the world develop similar behaviors, even when they are not in direct contact with each other.
Unbounded Fields
Morphic fields affect not only individuals, but also larger groups, such as species or cultures. Sheldrake explains that, for example, cultural and societal norms can emerge and spread through similar resonances.
Example from nature:
Birds in a flock: When many birds in a flock move in a certain way, other birds that have never seen the flock before can learn the same movement relatively quickly. Sheldrake explains this with morphic resonance – the behavior is stored in the morphic field and influences other birds that adopt similar movements.
Learning behavior: When animals learn a new behavior, such as opening a food container, the morphic field of that behavior becomes stronger and influences animals in other locations. This allows animals to learn to use certain techniques more quickly when influenced by other animals or by the stored fields.
Morphic resonance and its significance:
Sheldrake's concept of morphic resonance is particularly fascinating because it emphasizes the concept of collectivity and connections between all living beings and even between different realms of the universe. In this model, there is a kind of universal interconnectedness in which everything that happens affects everything else. Individuals are not isolated but are part of a larger network of energies and information.
Applications of Morphic Fields:
Biology: The formation of organisms and the learning of instincts can be explained not only by genetic inheritance, but also by resonance with pre-existing morphic fields.
Behavioral Science: Animals living in social groups can develop behaviors influenced by morphic fields from other animals in the same network.
Society and Culture: In human culture and society, collective memories, traditions, and behaviors can also be passed on through morphic fields.
Criticism and Controversy:
The theory of morphic fields is highly controversial because it contradicts many established scientific theories, especially modern genetic and neurobiological explanations of behavior and development. It challenges the idea that everything can be explained solely by material processes.
Scientific Rejection: Many natural scientists view Sheldrake's theory as speculative and argue that morphic resonance provides no empirical evidence that makes it measurable or verifiable.
Philosophical significance: Despite criticism, Sheldrake's work has sparked many philosophical and spiritual discussions. Many people find in his theory an explanation for collective memory and the
Connection between all living beings.
Conclusion:
Rupert Sheldrake's theory of morphic fields offers a fascinating alternative view of how nature works. It proposes that there is an invisible web that connects all living beings and influences both their forms and behaviors. Whether you agree with this theory or not, it opens up exciting perspectives on the interplay between consciousness, nature, and the universe.
Links:
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