Consciousness Unbound

A collection of scholars, led by Edward Kelly and Paul Marshall, builds on earlier work to advance a psychology of consciousness that occupies a middle ground between religious and scientific fundamentalisms. This expanded, science-based understanding accommodates empirical spiritual realities while rejecting rationally untenable beliefs. The authors argue that this vision counters postmodern disenchantment, more accurately reflects the human condition, and encourages ego-surpassing forms of flourishing. It offers reasons to believe freedom is real, that human choices matter, and that human potentials are largely untapped. The work also addresses the need for a sustainable global ethos by demonstrating extensive interconnectedness between people and the world.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Building on the groundbreaking research of Irreducible Mind and Beyond Physicalism, Edward Kelly and Paul Marshall gather a cohort of leading scholars to address the most recent advances in the psychology of consciousness. Currently emerging as a middle ground between warring fundamentalisms of religion andscience, an expanded science-based understanding of nature finally accommodates empirical realities of spiritual sorts while also rejecting rationally untenable overbeliefs. The vision sketched here provides an antidote to the prevailing postmodern disenchantment of the world and demeaning of human possibilities. It not only more accurately and fully reflects our human condition but engenders hope and encourages ego-surpassing forms of human flourishing. It offers reasons for us to believe that freedom is real, that our human choices matter, and that we have barely scratched the surface of our human potentials. It also addresses the urgent need for a greater sense of worldwide community and interdependence - a sustainable ethos - by demonstrating that under the surface we and the world are much more extensively interconnected than previously recognized.