In Natural Grace (Bloomsbury/Doubleday, £13.99/
$22, ISBN 0 7475 2627 3), Rupert Sheldrake and Matthew Fox conduct a
dialogue on science and spirituality. Sheldrake is famous—or infamous,
according to your views—for his advocacy of morphic resonance: the notion
that if a rat in Sheffield learns a maze, all rats around the world will
find it
easier to learn that maze pattern. Now Sheldrake stretches time, as well as
space, to suggest that ritual and religion resonate morphically through human
history, framing our beliefs—and explaining why we find ritual
satisfying.
One for the New-Agers.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Life
New Scientist recommends a brilliant take on the evolution of birds
Culture
Environment
Striking photos show how sands are encroaching on oases in the Sahara
Regulars
Comment
Think you have a good sense of humour? So do most people…
Regulars
Comment
Sci-fi horror film Backrooms is a triumph for its 20-year-old director
Culture
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Millions of fossil whale bones found in deep-ocean ‘necropolis’
3
Hundreds of new moons are revealing our solar system's violent history
4
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
5
Unpicking endometriosis reveals how it affects more than the pelvis
6
Wolves seen hunting European bison in rare camera-trap recording
7
A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could destroy the ozone layer
8
You could get some of the benefits of sleep without having to nod off
9
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
10
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening
