September 3rd, 2024

'Thinking about a UFO as some kind of extraterrestrial spaceship is naive'

Philosophy professor Jeffrey J. Kripal critiques the view of UFOs as extraterrestrial, proposing a new theory of mind that integrates mysticism and quantum mechanics, emphasizing deeper consciousness and imagination.

Read original articleLink Icon
'Thinking about a UFO as some kind of extraterrestrial spaceship is naive'

Philosophy professor Jeffrey J. Kripal argues that interpreting UFOs merely as extraterrestrial spaceships is overly simplistic. In his latest book, "How to Think Impossibly," he explores a new theory of mind that incorporates elements of mysticism, quantum mechanics, and English romantic philosophy. Kripal shares a personal experience from 1989 in Kolkata, where he underwent an out-of-body experience that profoundly influenced his understanding of consciousness and the imagination. He believes that many people have strange experiences that current models of the mind fail to explain. Kripal critiques the conventional scientific view that the brain solely produces the mind, suggesting instead that trauma can reveal deeper aspects of consciousness. He emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of imagination, which he argues is often dismissed as mere hallucination. Kripal advocates for a cultural shift towards a quantum perspective, moving beyond Newtonian frameworks that limit our understanding of reality. He posits that UFO sightings may be more connected to spiritual experiences than technological phenomena, challenging the prevailing interpretations of such encounters.

- Jeffrey J. Kripal critiques the simplistic view of UFOs as extraterrestrial spaceships.

- His book proposes a new theory of mind that integrates mysticism and quantum mechanics.

- Personal experiences have shaped his understanding of consciousness and the imagination.

- Kripal argues that trauma can reveal deeper aspects of the mind beyond conventional scientific explanations.

- He calls for a cultural shift towards a quantum perspective to better understand reality.

Link Icon 3 comments
By @JohnFen - 6 months
The thing that I can never get past when seeing people think that UFOs might be extraterrestrial spacecraft is that it's such an enormous logical leap.

Going from "there's something weird in the sky that I can't identify" directly to "therefore, aliens" just doesn't pass the sniff test. There are tons of other possible explanations that are much, much more likely to be true but are discarded out of hand.

By @PaulHoule - 6 months