The Non-Local Universe: The New Physics and Matters of the Mind

by Menas Kafatos and Robert L. Nadeau

Book Overview

Classical physics states that physical reality is local--a point in space cannot influence another point beyond a relatively short distance. However, In 1997, experiments were conducted in which light particles (photons) originated under certain conditions and traveled in opposite directions to detectors located about seven miles apart. The amazing results indicated that the photons "interacted" or "communicated" with one another instantly or "in...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195132564
• ISBN13: 9780195132564
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A clear and detailed account of quantum entanglement as the building block of all consciousness and

This book describes the new physics of quantum entanglement and how human consciousness can emerge along with the natural world from the indefinite existence of quantum particles. The intimate collective of all life on earth is described and how evolution proceeds more from cooperation than from competition. The book ends with a description of the danger faced by the environment from pollution. The magician can come to understand how her/his own consciousness is integrated in the totality of life on earth, the collective of human experience, and the fabric of spacetime.

Nonlocality and epistemology

Enticing and most suggestive work connecting the recent 1997 empirical confirmation of nonlocality suggested by Bell's theorem, and the realm of both biology and postmodernism. The author's begin by suggesting the classical problem of Cartesian dualism is to be resolved by this new view of mind in relation to physics. While there is certainly a gateway to a new perspective on this tragic division, it is not clear how the broader confusions of ethics and values can enter either the classical or postclassical views of physical systems, yet the basic insight seems fruitful indeed on the way to a new synthesis. The book weighs in with Bohr's Copenhagen perspective resolving the long debate with Einstein. The book then proceeds to a provocative consideration of the limitations of current Darwinian theory, still enmeshed in the classical paradigm, concluding with a hope this new unification will help to heal the two cultures divide. I am always left to wonder quizzically at renewed hopes of finally bridging the Cartesian divide, for the problem is in part one of false terminology, and the lack of self-perception, more than self-division. The great Indian 'metaphysics' of Samkhya never had this problem because instead of two entities, it had three, all material. The division of mind and matter is a confusion of terms, and thus not open to solution by physics, a most debatable point itself, to be sure. None of this really negates the very fruitful connection now shown between mind and physical reality demonstrated in the new physics. Excellent book, one way or the other. May be read Kant also. Cf. also, Quantum Reality, Nick Herbert The Ghost in the Adam, P.C.W. Davies Appearance and Reality, Peter Kosso Quantum Dialogue, Martha Besser

Non-locality is implicate at all scales

Non-locality and quantum entanglement are neither delicate nor rare events. Quantum non-locality is not rare and does not disappear. The Universe operates according to the principles of complementarity at all scales - Kafatos and Nadeau established the particulars of this verity with extraordinary adroitness in their watershed book "The Conscious Universe." The concept of non-locality as an implicate attribute of the material world is borne out by three pieces of impeccably documented science which are only now becoming generally known. Nicolas Gisin and his colleagues at CERN proved that Bell's predictions regarding non-locality were precisely correct. The positron-electron pairs they separated with a Potassium Niobate crystal and shunted through 15 kilometers of fiber optic cable, automatically re-oriented spin and polarity instantaneously to maintain net-spin values of zero when one of the particle-pair was accelerated through an electromagnetic field, to seven decimal points, in repeated trials. The effective rate at which the information transfer occurred between the particles is calculated to be at least 10 to the nine times faster than the speed of light. Second, Vladimir Poponin has demonstrated in his work with the DNA Phantom Effect that every molecule of DNA exerts a non-local field effect on the material locale surrounding it, which persists for up to 30 days after the DNA molecule source has been removed. The importance of Poponin's work is that it proves unequivocally that among living organisms, non-locality operates simultaneously with chemo-synaptic neuronal processes at all scales and in all living things. Finally, Donald Eigler's work at IBM's Almaden Lab's proves that non-local holographic field effects operate in all things as an intrinsic attribute of matter at atomic and sub-atomic scales, regardless of whether the materials are organic or not. In "The Non-Local Universe," Kafatos has simply opened the lid to this Pandora's box by providing an epistemological model which is carefully thought out, clearly articulated and reasonably constructed. His model is absolutely right on the mark and deserves to be read by anyone who is willing to look at this aggregation of unimpeachable evidence with clear scientific detachment.

Its so much more

If you are not careful this wonderful book will Bohr you to death with CI, but The Non-Local Universe explains very well, the well traveled paths of new science. Thank goodness for the Undivided Universe and thinkers like David Bohm, B.J. Hiley as well Jack Sarfatti exploiting the potentials of nonlocality. These new frontier thinkers have scouted a universe that will allow Nadeau and Kafatos to expand on the very fine work recorded in this book. The matters of spirit are in this book and the authors bravely respect the connectivity of this massless domain to the manifestations of participative science, religion and mind. In this book you cannot miss the concept, time came before creation and the emergence unfolding in this whole undivided process was guided by a wonderful observer. The good news is this book is very informative, accurate and expandable. When the insights of Bohm are fully unfolded in the next addition we will have discovered the potential of the wheel once more. This is a must read!

One of the best in its field of study.

Absolutely brilliant. One of the best written and most enthralling books on physics, history, and the philosophy of science. A must read.