Deeptime Network | Duane Elgin | Activity https://dtnetwork.org/our-members/duane/activity/ Activity feed for Duane Elgin. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:41:41 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v=9.1.1 en-US 30 hourly 2 fcb595d0f84a7a5a088c5d58983f8da1 Duane Elgin updated new location at Cotati, CA 94931, USA https://dtnetwork.org/activity/p/51311/ Thu, 29 May 2025 17:54:12 -0400 0 3c89423cf6ecd74fb0455458355ca23f Duane Elgin updated new location at Fairfax, CA 94930, USA https://dtnetwork.org/activity/p/24958/ Sat, 11 Jan 2020 08:38:47 -0500 0 6fd2735dd74ddde8df168d0a004bfee5 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/28/#post-5155 Fri, 04 Dec 2015 22:07:59 -0500 Ed– You ask an interesting question: Is there “another word that would suitably describe the non-biological yet highly interconnected and interdependent matter of the universe . . .”? There are phrases that are evocative for me: Double-Aliveness or Doubly-Alive — Life is nested within Life. In Plato’s terms: the universe is uniquely alive as an…[Read more]

]]> 0 d98540aa8db1ee7e1b20d45d2aaadb58 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5154 Fri, 04 Dec 2015 21:12:56 -0500 Ed–   Thanks for your discerning and insightful posting! I’m excited by the possibility that, after more than 400 postings, our learning community may be discovering important common ground. I am comfortable with the summary paragraph that you wrote, Ed, and I’m wondering if this offers common ground for Jon and Mike (and others) as well.    &n…[Read more]

]]> 0 9a2e0a295befb0d77c5db833abc7ff03 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5154 Fri, 04 Dec 2015 21:12:56 -0500 Ed– Thanks for your discerning and insightful posting! I’m excited by the possibility that, after more than 400 postings, our learning community may be discovering important common ground. I am comfortable with the summary paragraph that you wrote, Ed, and I’m wondering if this offers common ground for Jon and Mike as well.  

“Considering all of t…

[Read more]

]]> 0 1c6bf9c2dbe1523b207f32c64fdf2b67 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5152 Fri, 04 Dec 2015 20:47:30 -0500 Mike —   Thanks for the inquiry into common ground! I’m open to the possibility that exploring the aliveness of the cosmos is a non-sequitur — that the conclusion of aliveness does not follow from the attributes of our universe. Although plausible, I find this puzzling because scientific research increasingly describes the universe as: 1) a un…[Read more]

]]> 0 6e15cc63efbec4ae89114157c2fd7642 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5152 Fri, 04 Dec 2015 20:47:30 -0500 Mike — Thanks for the inquiry into common ground! I’m open to the possibility that exploring the aliveness of the cosmos is a non-sequitur — that the conclusion of aliveness does not follow from the attributes of our universe. Although plausible, I find this puzzling because scientific research increasingly describes the universe as: 1) a unifi…[Read more]

]]> 0 4f03b922b9b74b81710475386581f462 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5133 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 18:37:27 -0500 Michael— Thank you for bringing the wisdom of Thomas Berry into this dialogue. I’d like to bring in a few quotes into this inquiry from his book, The Dream of the Earth (San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1988).  An important aspect of Thomas’s dream for the Earth was that we progressively awaken to the creative power and presence of the universe…[Read more]

]]> 0 9d48a50f759dccff19617602f012b31b Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5133 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 18:37:27 -0500 Michael— Thank you for bringing the wisdom of Thomas Berry into this dialogue. I’d like to bring in a few quotes into this inquiry from his book, The Dream of the Earth (San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1988).  An important aspect of Thomas’s dream for the Earth was that we progressively awaken to the creative power and presence of the universe…[Read more]

]]> 0 240887e20dcd279ceae62c9d8d5b3503 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5121 Thu, 26 Nov 2015 17:35:07 -0500 Dear Michael–   Thank you for the eloquent and poetic quotations from Thomas Berry! I agree with and celebrate his insights and artistry.   I have not purposefully used language in opposition with mainstream science. My interest is straightforward: Look at the attributes of living systems and ask whether those are attributes of our universe.  To m…[Read more]

]]> 0 404464640bfb11b078c6a0db6aac2226 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-5121 Thu, 26 Nov 2015 17:35:07 -0500 Dear Michael– Thank you for the eloquent and poetic quotations from Thomas Berry! I agree with and celebrate his insights and artistry. I have not purposefully used language in opposition with mainstream science. My interest is straightforward: Look at the attributes of living systems and ask whether those are attributes of our universe.  To me…[Read more]

]]> 0 57d2e4db5c46af9fbcbfd7bdca949356 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7542 Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:13:06 -0500 Michael I’m not sure what you meant by this statement “Thomas Berry was quite careful, Duane, to only use language that could be embraced by the vast majority of mainstream scientists. You, by contrast, consistently take the opposite approach.” Could you give us some specific examples of how Duane’s language is problematic? On a related matter…[Read more]

]]> 0 2e34c9c6f2fce520e2fdbf4ef46128f9 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7541 Thu, 26 Nov 2015 15:18:06 -0500 Mike, thanks for that quote from Thomas! Years ago I memorized that one and often concluded my evening programs by reciting it. What a gem

]]> 0 36e5d5c1291ae4d526c4842ce3e17734 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/26/#post-5112 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 20:43:02 -0500   Michael–   I strongly agree with your view that it is vital we treat nature with the same respect and honor that we give to a human person — otherwise, we will self-destruct. I smile when I consider the idea that nature is part of my “in-group.”    A question for clarification: In agreeing with Thomas Berry’s quote, does that mean you regard…[Read more]

]]> 0 edc21aa772783ff3de7628886d57cfc6 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/26/#post-5112 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 20:43:02 -0500  Michael– I strongly agree with your view that it is vital we treat nature with the same respect and honor that we give to a human person, we will self-destruct. I like the idea that nature is part of my “in-group.”  In agreeing with Thomas Berry, do you regard the universe as “. . . a greater form of life than any particular form on the Ear…

]]> 0 07a7562072b661786b138a56283e667a Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7502 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 13:57:06 -0500 Michael– I strongly agree with your view that it is vital we treat nature with the same respect and honor that we give to a human person, we will self-destruct. I like the idea that nature is part of my “in-group.” In agreeing with Thomas Berry, do you regard the universe as “. . . a greater form of life than any particular form on the Earth”?

]]> 0 8d749a2ead6fabd5f76bc699c97b2aad Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/26/#post-5110 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 19:52:35 -0500 Hi Angela, Thanks for the feedback on the “continuous creation” paper with its living systems view of the universe (available on my website). Also, I agree with you that it is too limiting to define the qualities of aliveness of our universe with the qualities of aliveness found in biological systems here on Earth. Your quote from Thomas Berry is…[Read more]

]]> 0 451e1fd870d91b17ce62b776a9f06dbd Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7503 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 16:57:06 -0500 Hi Angela, Thanks for the feedback on the “continuous creation” paper with its living systems view of the universe (available on my website). Also, I agree with you that it is too limiting to define the qualities of aliveness of our universe with the qualities of aliveness found in biological systems here on Earth. Your quote from Thomas Berry is…[Read more]

]]> 0 e28222589fb0e344eaa786205898fb4a Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/26/#post-5103 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 20:28:06 -0500 Karen: Thanks for this helpful overview and introduction to Smolin’s book! I will jump to the chapter, “What is Life.” 

]]> 0 7c5924f558c74fe64beea504e2065599 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7505 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:57:06 -0500 Karen: Thanks for this helpful overview and introduction to Smolin’s book! I will jump to the chapter, “What is Life.”

]]> 0 e0656bab6e37ddbbcda215fc9d29e457 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/26/#post-5100 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 02:34:35 -0500 Karen– Thanks for encouraging us to read Smolin’s cosmology. I ordered his book and it arrived yesterday. I’ve been appreciating his creative inquiry! 

]]> 0 c3bf8775c4809b173d3f04ee6f052aef Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7539 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 02:34:06 -0500 Karen– Thanks for encouraging us to read Smolin’s cosmology. I ordered his book and it arrived yesterday. I’ve been appreciating his creative inquiry!

]]> 0 1f222e9affaf7475b739831fcfb7858d Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/26/#post-5083 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:10:41 -0500 Karen– Thanks for sharing insights from Lee Smolin’s book, “The Life of the Cosmos.” I think he is correct in viewing the universe as a self-organizing system in a non-equilibrium condition. I am also intrigued with his suggestion that new universes form every time a star collapses into a black hole. So, please post more of what you found engag…[Read more]

]]> 0 d78290b420651f5934ee3ab215ca0e2b Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7506 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:57:06 -0500 Karen–Thanks for sharing insights from Lee Smolin’s book, “The Life of the Cosmos.” I think he is correct in viewing the universe as a self-organizing system in a non-equilibrium condition. I am also intrigued with his suggestion that new universes form every time a star collapses into a black hole. So, please post more of what you found engag…[Read more]

]]> 0 0b6fa59e58427f205ee45a0a73c7376d Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7538 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:57:06 -0500 Mike (and others) — This is such a rich conversation that I’m getting behind in responding to postings! I’ll try to catch up. In the meantime, I want to express my appreciation for Mike’s clarification of those taking a living systems perspective:First, we do not deny the validity of science or the scientific method. Second, we are not saying…[Read more]

]]> 0 bf7fb2ff61d082b52c581e574f584d57 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-5072 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 16:49:32 -0500 Mike (and others) —   This is such a rich conversation that I’m getting behind in responding to postings! I’ll try to catch up. In the meantime, I want to express my appreciation for Mike’s clarification of a living systems perspective:  

First, we do not deny the validity of science or the scientific method.  

Second, we are not saying that li…

[Read more]

]]> 0 ff98d83f51eebed070aa927f4620166e Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7538 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 16:49:06 -0500 Mike (and others) — This is such a rich conversation that I’m getting behind in responding to postings! I’ll try to catch up. In the meantime, I want to express my appreciation for Mike’s clarification of those taking a living systems perspective:First, we do not deny the validity of science or the scientific method. Second, we are not saying…[Read more]

]]> 0 7c0268d0f4e740f7f0c18df27432affc Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-5063 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:22:10 -0500  Mike– Thanks for looking for a third option or generative middle ground between these two perspectives. I have been wondering about the potential for complementarity among views presented here. Instead of conflicting perspectives, could each offer insights of value to the other? For example, given that 95% of the known universe is invi…[Read more]

]]> 0 6dafda053db97ac756e0ea4e3f6fa8b1 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-5051 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 01:24:51 -0500 The Mental Universe, Richard Conn Henry, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University,  Nature 436:29, 2005. The only reality is mind and observations, but observations are not things. To see the universe as it really is, we must abandon our tendency to conceptualize observations as things. . . . A fundamental conclusion of the…[Read more]

]]> 0 2fa6427bd037dc88cfc39b977793e761 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-5049 Sun, 01 Nov 2015 17:26:39 -0500 Manifesto for a Post-Materialist ScienceWe are a group of internationally known scientists, from a variety of scientific fields (biology, neuroscience, psychology, medicine, psychiatry), who participated in an international summit on post-materialist science, spirituality and society. . . . We have come to the following conclusions: 1. The mo…[Read more]

]]> 0 fb6b09849c60d016cd40c4856da6f0e2 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-5049 Sun, 01 Nov 2015 17:26:39 -0500 Manifesto for a Post-Materialist ScienceWe are a group of internationally known scientists, from a variety of scientific fields (biology, neuroscience, psychology, medicine, psychiatry), who participated in an international summit on post-materialist science, spirituality and society. . . . We have come to the following conclusions: 1. The mo…[Read more]

]]> 0 5d5033d9638149a43d7c27daa5f23eca Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-5049 Sun, 01 Nov 2015 17:26:39 -0500 Manifesto for a Post-Materialist ScienceWe are a group of internationally known scientists, from a variety of scientific fields (biology, neuroscience, psychology, medicine, psychiatry), who participated in an international summit on post-materialist science, spirituality and society. The summit was co-organized by Gary E. Schwartz, PhD…[Read more]

]]> 0 aae017b855243ea9d2c39dfa5de9bd2e Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7509 Sun, 01 Nov 2015 16:57:06 -0500 The Mental Universe, Richard Conn Henry, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, Nature 436:29, 2005. The only reality is mind and observations, but observations are not things. To see the universe as it really is, we must abandon our tendency to conceptualize observations as things. . . . A fundamental conclusion of the…[Read more]

]]> 0 22259f0e4725eb3e2a03a7e302329aee Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/27/#post-7513 Sun, 01 Nov 2015 15:00:06 -0500 Manifesto for a Post-Materialist ScienceWe are a group of internationally known scientists, from a variety of scientific fields (biology, neuroscience, psychology, medicine, psychiatry), who participated in an international summit on post-materialist science, spirituality and society. The summit was co-organized by Gary E. Schwartz, PhD and Mario…[Read more]

]]> 0 7f637b2af99d2f511a08b7e196e5f2b6 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-4807 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:03:55 -0400 Here’s a lengthy article that I appreciated: “What Does It Mean To Raise A Spiritual Child?” It includes the following quote:

Natural spirituality is a direct sense of listening to the heartbeat of the living universe, of being one with that seen and unseen world, open and at ease in that connection.

 

]]> 0 3a363452dcd85790ee58ba1423336ea2 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Where is the Big History story "from"? in the forum my forum new one http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/where-is-the-big-history-story-from/#post-4798 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:59:12 -0400 Hi Brandon–   In order to say where Big History is “from,” it is first important to say what Big History “is.” If it is about the story of a universe that is non-living at its foundations and without meaning, purpose, or consciousness, then I think it would be accurate to say it is “from” David Christian, Eric Chaisson, and others connected wi…[Read more]

]]> 0 9a39a507860cd7b4d690f06344a298de Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-4790 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 19:30:37 -0400 Ursula–   Yes, this theory has been around for quite a while but completely ignored in this conversation until now. I wonder why? You diminish the HuffPo piece as “hype” so here’s another more accessible essay in “Scientific American” which I don’t think falls into the domain of hype.    A “Complex” Theory of ConsciousnessIs complexity the sec…[Read more]

]]> 0 46fe13faa854a79f3bcb41d52c44264f Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/25/#post-4790 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 19:30:37 -0400 Ursula– Yes, this theory has been around for quite a while but completely ignored in this conversation until now. I wonder why? You diminish the HuffPo piece as “hype” so here’s another more accessible essay in “Scientific American” which I don’t think falls into the domain of hype.  A “Complex” Theory of ConsciousnessIs complexity the secret t…[Read more]

]]> 0 36bf920e74058de83e388fad88a34153 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4786 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 00:58:55 -0400 Here is an important contribution to the theory of consciousness that just came up on Huffington Post:  Neuroscience’s New Consciousness Theory Is Spiritual  

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality”–Carl Sagan

 It appears that we are approaching a unique time in the history of man and scienc…[Read more]

]]> 0 ab892fe79f327f40b05955d25df241e9 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4786 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 00:58:55 -0400 Here is an important contribution to the theory of consciousness that just came up on Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bobby-azarian/post_10079_b_8160914.htmlNeuroscience’s New Consciousness Theory Is Spiritual 

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality”–Carl Sagan

 It appears that we a…[Read more]

]]> 0 dc0cacc33f1122fc7d6a93b258b76964 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4740 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:23:36 -0400  Mike–   Thanks for the elegant differentiation between “cellular biology as the gold standard for determining life” and the description of the universe as a creative life giving force. I am in agreement with you, Plato and Marcus Aurelius.

]]> 0 1570d3c283000113535c353103759a6f Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4740 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:23:36 -0400  Mike– Thanks for the elegant differentiation between “cellular biology as the gold standard for determining life” and the description of the universe as a creative life force. I am in agreement with you, Plato and Marcus Aurelius.

]]> 0 8929520a13a48ee498587bcb9ebb2002 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4707 Tue, 08 Sep 2015 23:35:21 -0400 Jim—   I have tried to make clear in this dialogue that I do NOT view the universe as a “ biological” system. I see it as an organism that extends far beyond the descriptions of cell biology. For that reason, I asked for your specific criteria of life that extends beyond cell biology. Yet, as far as I can discern, all of the examples you provid…[Read more]

]]> 0 6a52e328b90cae7f323c2539910a3b40 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4707 Tue, 08 Sep 2015 23:35:21 -0400 Jim— I have tried to make clear in this dialogue that I do NOT view the universe as a “ biological” system. I see it as an organism that extends far beyond the descriptions of cell biology. For that reason, I asked for your specific criteria of life that extends beyond cell biology. Yet, as far as I can discern, all of the examples you provi…[Read more]

]]> 0 7b0dfced083d6b4036ecac3c8cff35f2 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4700 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 23:41:13 -0400 I would like to recommend an essay that is highly relevant to the topic in this forum: “Consciousness: Why Materialism Fails” which was written by Larry Dossey, MD and published in May, 2015.  This essay is available on the Open Sciences website and below is the opening statement to his essay:    

The most urgent issue we humans face is how we con…

[Read more]

]]> 0 7adb1c6f3a0488d2f689c19930d768ef Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/24/#post-4698 Sat, 05 Sep 2015 02:07:07 -0400 Jim–   You say that “living has specific criteria.” What are they specifically?   Are you saying the universe can only be considered alive if it is “in the manner of cells”?     I offered a specific set of robust criteria for describing a living system that can extend far beyond cell biology. Do you have a set of criteria for “living” that ext…[Read more]

]]> 0 44bf624a4b6e1d63dbd8e2a562ac7bc5 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/23/#post-4696 Fri, 04 Sep 2015 22:45:34 -0400 James–   I have another issue I’d like to raise concerning the importance of a “definition of terms” that you refer to in your last posting. You write that:  

“Living has specific criteria. The Universe does not meet those criteria. The rest is woo-woo, not science.”  

This provocative comment motivated me to look up the definition of the term “w…[Read more]

]]> 0 84168df53b9710305f56ca85072017dc Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/23/#post-4693 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:08:55 -0400 James—You make a very strong assertion that I would like to explore:  

“Living has specific criteria. The Universe does not meet those criteria. The rest is woo-woo, not science.”

 In my research I have found no commonly agreed upon criteria for defining life so I am interested in your “specific criteria.” As context, I do not regard our universe…[Read more]

]]> 0 533289e5085b9fd1a2574cbd39e5e170 Duane Elgin replied to the topic Is the universe a "living system"? in the forum Deeptime Network Forum http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/is-the-universe-a-living-system/page/23/#post-4648 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:17:57 -0400 Here’s a thoughtful and thought-provoking post from Alan Watts regarding “True Splendor of Science”:   True Splendor of Science by Alan Watts The true splendor of science is not so much that it names and classifies, records and predicts, but that it observes and desires to know the facts, whatever they may turn out to be. However much it may con…[Read more]

]]> 0 e32fd531c76474bbe3f2445e1be43388 Duane Elgin replied to the topic What do think about the PAPAL Encyclical and How Will You Use It? in the forum my forum new one http://wptaverncommunity.wefoster-platform.co/forums/topic/what-do-think-about-the-papal-encyclical-and-how-will-you-use-it/page/2/#post-4622 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 00:42:51 -0400 Pope Francis is a strong advocate for simplicity of living and breath of fresh air in the spiritual world. In June, he addressed more than 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square during the weekly General Audience and he called for a church that “. . . practices voluntary simplicity in her own life—in her institutions, in the lifestyle of her memb…[Read more]

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