Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Rupert Sheldrake, Naomi Goulder, and David Pearce debate the relationship between mystical experiences and religious belief.
What distinguishes spirituality from religion?
With a free trial, you can watch the full debate NOW at iai.tv/video/mysticism-vs-modernity?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description
'At the height of the Victorian era, the poet Matthew Arnold captured the mood of the time, using the metaphor of the waves on Dover Beach to refer to the long slow retreat of the sea of faith. Since then, many have assumed reason and scientific advance would gradually overturn, and even eradicate, religion and mysticism. But although there has been a widespread European decline in church attendance, religious belief has not been eradicated and recent surveys show young Westerners are more drawn to mysticism and spirituality than their grandparents. Furthermore critics argue that belief in science and progress itself displays a mystical faith in the power of reason.
Should we conclude that we all have to worship somebody or something, whether it be gods, leaders or principles? Will the future be one where we see a return to an open acceptance of mysticism and spirituality? Or is there time yet for reason and science to put an end to religious belief?
#consciousness #spirituality #philosophy #religion #god
Transhumanist philosopher David Pearce, author of Philosophy of Action Naomi Goulder, and world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake debate mysticism and modernity. Hosted by Jay Shapiro.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mysticism-vs-modernity
00:00 "All religions start from a mystical experience"
00:22 Rupert Sheldrake on feeling the presence of God
03:44 David Pearce on physics, materialism, and consciousness
06:08 Naomi Goulder on the psychology behind mysticism
07:55 Plato, psychic abilities, and forms of consciousness greater than ourselves
For debates and talks: iai.tv
For articles: iai.tv/articles
For courses: iai.tv/iai-academy/courses
Rupert Sheldrake, Naomi Goulder, and David Pearce debate the relationship between mystical experiences and religious belief.
What distinguishes spirituality from religion?
With a free trial, you can watch the full debate NOW at iai.tv/video/mysticism-vs-modernity?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description
'At the height of the Victorian era, the poet Matthew Arnold captured the mood of the time, using the metaphor of the waves on Dover Beach to refer to the long slow retreat of the sea of faith. Since then, many have assumed reason and scientific advance would gradually overturn, and even eradicate, religion and mysticism. But although there has been a widespread European decline in church attendance, religious belief has not been eradicated and recent surveys show young Westerners are more drawn to mysticism and spirituality than their grandparents. Furthermore critics argue that belief in science and progress itself displays a mystical faith in the power of reason.
Should we conclude that we all have to worship somebody or something, whether it be gods, leaders or principles? Will the future be one where we see a return to an open acceptance of mysticism and spirituality? Or is there time yet for reason and science to put an end to religious belief?
#consciousness #spirituality #philosophy #religion #god
Transhumanist philosopher David Pearce, author of Philosophy of Action Naomi Goulder, and world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake debate mysticism and modernity. Hosted by Jay Shapiro.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mysticism-vs-modernity
00:00 "All religions start from a mystical experience"
00:22 Rupert Sheldrake on feeling the presence of God
03:44 David Pearce on physics, materialism, and consciousness
06:08 Naomi Goulder on the psychology behind mysticism
07:55 Plato, psychic abilities, and forms of consciousness greater than ourselves
For debates and talks: iai.tv
For articles: iai.tv/articles
For courses: iai.tv/iai-academy/courses
