Rupert Sheldrake — LLMpedia

Rupert Sheldrake
Zereshk · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Rupert Sheldrake
Birth date	28 June 1942
Birth place	Huddersfield, Yorkshire
Alma mater	Cambridge University, Harvard University
Occupation	Biologist, author, researcher
Known for	Morphic resonance

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Rupert Sheldrake is a British biologist and author known for proposing the controversial hypothesis of morphic resonance and for his writings on consciousness, telepathy, and unconventional biology. He trained at Cambridge University and Harvard University and held research and teaching positions at institutions including the University of Cambridge and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. His work has provoked debate across scientific communities including those associated with the Royal Society, Lancet, Nature (journal), New Scientist, and organizations such as the Skeptics Society.

Early life and education

Sheldrake was born in Huddersfield in Yorkshire and educated at Wellington College before attending Cambridge University where he studied natural sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge. He pursued a PhD at Cambridge University under supervisors involved in plant physiology and developmental biology, later undertaking postdoctoral research at Harvard University with connections to researchers at the Laboratory of Ornithology and collaborators linked to Cornell University and Smithsonian Institution. During his formative years he encountered figures and ideas from circles that included scholars associated with Royal Society fellows and lecturers at institutions such as King's College London.

Sheldrake served as a research fellow and lecturer in the Department of Botany at Cambridge University and engaged with research communities at the University of Oxford and the University of London through visiting appointments and conferences. His early experimental work touched on plant development and cell biology with references cited alongside studies from laboratories at Max Planck Society, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and researchers affiliated with University of California, Berkeley. He was a member of networks that included scientists from the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, and contributors to journals such as Nature (journal), Science (journal), and Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Sheldrake also participated in gatherings with researchers associated with the Institute of Noetic Sciences and thinkers linked to the Esalen Institute.

Sheldrake articulated the morphic resonance hypothesis in books and papers, proposing that patterns of behavior and form are influenced by previous similar systems via a non-local memory termed "morphogenetic fields." He developed these ideas in works that entered public and academic debate alongside publications by authors such as Charles Darwin, Gregor Mendel, James Watson, Francis Crick, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Jay Gould, and commentators in outlets like The Guardian (United Kingdom), The New York Times, and The Times (London). His major books include titles that prompted reviews in periodicals such as The Independent, Daily Telegraph, New Scientist, Scientific American, and critiques by scholars associated with University College London, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Oxford. His themes intersect with topics explored by researchers from Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Cambridge, and authors like Rupert Sheldrake-adjacent critics including Michael Shermer and Richard Dawkins in public debates.

Sheldrake's hypotheses have been criticized by many scientists and institutions for lacking empirical support and reproducibility, eliciting commentary from members of the Royal Society, editors at Nature (journal), and skeptics associated with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and Skeptics Society. Critics have compared his claims to those addressed by historians of science and philosophers such as Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, Imre Lakatos, and reviewers from departments at University of Cambridge, Harvard University, and University of Oxford. Journalists and scientists in outlets like Science (journal), The Guardian (United Kingdom), and The Sunday Times have debated the methodological and theoretical bases of morphic resonance, while legal scholars and commentators from institutions including Oxford Brookes University and King's College London have discussed freedom of expression issues arising from disputes over platforming and publicity.

Sheldrake has been active in public lectures, media appearances and legal actions, engaging with broadcasters and publications including BBC, Channel 4, The Guardian (United Kingdom), The Independent, The New York Times, The Telegraph, and The Washington Post. He was involved in a high-profile dispute over commentary and labeling by platforms tied to organizations such as YouTube (Google), prompting discussions involving lawyers and commentators connected to Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and academic freedom advocates from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. He participated in international conferences and symposia alongside presenters from Institute of Noetic Sciences, Parapsychological Association, Society for Psychical Research, and contributors linked to Mind and Life Institute and various university departments.

Sheldrake's personal connections include relationships with colleagues and collaborators from institutions such as Cambridge University, Harvard University, and the University of London, and interactions with public intellectuals linked to BBC Radio 4 programs and broadcasters at ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Honors and recognitions mentioned in media have been reported by outlets including The Times (London), The Guardian (United Kingdom), and academic directories at University of Cambridge; he has also drawn criticism in listings and commentary by organizations such as the Royal Society, Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and universities including Harvard University and University of Oxford.

Category:British biologists Category:Parapsychology