Scientific Animism

Name: Scientific Animism
Rating: 4.8 (21 reviews)

An exploration into the implications of animism on our scientific understanding of the relationship of mind and matter

Created byShasta Winn, Saba Cooperative, John Stenger

Last updated 6/2023

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Learn why animism has fallen out of the main stream
Understand what the consequences of animism are to the mathmatical framework of science
Gain tool for analyzing the relationship between mind and matter
Develop techniques for engaging with science in a more meaningful way.

Course content

1 section • 6 lectures • 1h 20m total length

Introduction9:09
In this video, we explore the relationship between mind and matter.
A history of science and the fall of animism11:47
Trace the history of science from ancient Egypt to the Western Renaissance, where mind and matter diverged under Christianity and empire. Explore reintegrating spirituality with science while preserving objectivity.
The Chasm of Infinite Complexity15:28
Explore how placing mind on the level of matter yields a chasm of infinite complexity, with hydra-like endless layers, and learn why proper classes challenge traditional science.
The Mind Trinity17:17
Fixed Points18:27
Explore fixed points as stable and unstable equilibria across systems—from balls on mountains to Lorenz attractors—showing how mind and matter intertwine in scientific animism.
The animist approach to materialism8:10
Explore how scientific animism reconciles historical materialism with spirituality, showing capitalism's surface-level relation to materials and how spiritual drives motivate revolutions, while encouraging engagement with nature.

Requirements

You do not need to have a scientific background to engage with this course. While we will discuss science and mathematics, no prior knowledge is assumed.

Description

In this course, we will explore the limitations of science in understanding reality by examining its implicit assumption that matter is not living. While science has revolutionized the way we live, it has almost nothing to say about consciousness, spirituality, or happiness. We will delve into why this is so and explore how the concepts of science can be extended to a living universe.

We will re-establish spiritual connections to the basic principles of physics and chemistry, and see that the laws of science are consistent with the concepts of animism. By extending science in this way, we open up the possibility of studying the spiritual and emotional layers of life.

In addition to exploring the spiritual dimensions of science, we will also examine the social and political implications of these ideas. By touching on Marxist theory, we will gain new tools for understanding cultural revolution and the ways in which science can be used to empower marginalized communities.

Overall, this course offers a unique perspective on the relationship between science, spirituality, and culture. Throughout this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of the limitations of science and the possibilities for extending it to encompass a wider range of human experiences

Who this course is for:

Anyone who is interested in the relationship between mind and matter will find the course engaging. Anyone who wants to explore the consequences of a living universe. Anyone who would like to have a serious conversation about the nature of consciousness and its implications to science.