Reflections on Psi and Sheldrake's Morphogenetic Fields by Mark A. Schroll, Ph.D. continued from page 8

Note
1. For a brief discussion of Sheldrake's morphogenetic fields or M-fields concept see (Schroll, 2009). On the other hand, Sheldrake's concept of morphic resonance can be understood as follows:
Sheldrake proposes that M-fields are built up like habits; that is, M-fields are built up through a repetition of form. Such repetition can be built up at the physical-chemical level, affecting the structural development of atoms, genes, cells, etc. M-fields can also be built up through the repetition of behavior, demonstrated by the maze learning ability of McDougall's and Agar's rats. (Agar, et al, 1954) Once an M-field is built up through repetition, all forms of similar origin can “tune in” to this field through the process of morphic resonance. Morphic resonance works on the same basis as physical resonance. This invarient translation of an energy field into a physical system is the model Sheldrake uses to explain morphic resonance. [It needs to be pointed out, however, that M-fields and morphic resonance's modus operandi is producing its influence at a level of reality that is different from the use of signal transmission associated with the electromagnetic spectrum. The briefest and yet most conceptually clear way of summing up the concept of M-fields and morphic resonance is this]. . . . Besides referring to M-fields as “habits”, Sheldrake has called M-fields a kind of memory – a sort of species specific memory transcending the limitations of space-and-time and in fact operating non-locally according to the non-locality principle” (Schroll: 248, 1987). (See also Schroll, in press, for a more detailed discussion of M-fields and nonlocality).

References
 Agar, W. E., Drummond, F. H., Tiegs, O.W. and Gunson, M. M. (1954). Fourth (final) report on a test of McDougall's Lamarckian experiment on the training of rats. Journal of Experimental Biology, 31, 307-321.

Bohm, D. & Weber, R. (1987). Meaning as Being in the Implicate Order Philosophy of David Bohm: A Conversation. In Quantum Implications: Essays in Honor of David Bohm. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, pp. 436-450, 1987.

Dutton, D. & Williams, C. (2009). Clever Beasts and Faithful Pets: A Critical Review of Animals Psi Research. Journal of Parapsychology, 73, Spring/Fall, 43-68.

Luke, D. (2009). Review of Near-Death Experiences: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection (2008) by Ornella Corazza. Journal of Parapsychology, 73 (Spring/Fall), 175-180.

Radin, D. (2002). A dog that seems to know when the owner is coming home: Effect of environmental variables. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 16, 579-582.

Ram Dass (1988, October 10). Promises and pitfalls of the spiritual path. Keynote presentation at the 1988 International Transpersonal Psychology confernce, El Rancho Tropicanna Hotel, Santa Rosa, California.

Schroll, M. A. (1987). Scientific controversies shaping the worldview of the 21st century. In Reports of the 11th International Wittgenstein-Symposium: Recent Developments in Epistemology and Philosophy of Science. P. Weingartner & G. Schurz (Eds.), Pp. 244-252. Vienna: Holder-Pichler-Tempsky.

Schroll, M. A. (2001, December 2). Theory vs application: The positive and negative implications. Invited presentation Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association. Washington, DC.

Schroll, M. A. (2005). Toward a physical theory of the source of religion. Anthropology of Consciousness, 16 (1), 56-69.

Schroll, M. A. (2009). Editorial overview: A glimpse of science history and its consequences on psi research. Rhine Online, 1 (4), 2-3.

Schroll, M. A. (In press/2010). The physics of psi: An interview with Stanley Krippner. Transpersonal Psychology Review, 14 (1).

Sheldrake, R. (1988). The presence of the past: Morphic resonance and the habits of nature. New York: Times Books/Random House.

Tart, C. T. (1975). States of consciousness. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co, Inc.

Tart, C. T. (1981). Transpersonal realities or neurophysiological illusions?: Toward an empirically testable dualism. The Metaphors of Consciousness. R. S. Valle & R. von Eckartsberg (eds.), New York: Plenum Press, pp. 199-222.
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