Biocentrism is a recently posed theory by Robert Lanza, M.D. in 2007. Often Physics is regarded as a hard science, with all other psuedo-sciences building off of the ‘truths’ of how Physics models reality. Biocentrism flips that paradigm, placing Biology at the central focus of being, reality, and the cosmos. This is not to be confused with reductionism, which reduces life to the aggregrate molecule level and describes things in terms of chemical and physiological reactions.
One of the most difficult concepts to wrap ones mind around in regards to Biocentrism is the concept of space and time. We’ve been taught that space and time are real constructs that exist externally, independent of our existance. Challenging the notion of space and time is a difficult concept; it seems analagous to challenging the notion of breathing. We see ourselves aging, and changes in physical location e.g. walking to class, so why challenge these seemingly fundamental concepts of external reality?
Ultimately, that is the crux of Lanza’s point: external realities. Why is it that we are taught that there is this notion of an external reality at opposite ends of our internal reality – our sensory inputs, our organs, bones, central nervous system that are all captured beneath our skin. In Biocetrism, space and time aren’t physical things, but rather animalistic intuitions as means of understanding and making sense of things, ingrained in our biological construction.
We commonly take our sensory input systems to be infalliable, portraying an accurate view on reality. During my Junior year in my Metaphysics class, my Philosophy teacher, Professor Scott, pointed out the window and said look at those trees. If you ceased to exist, would the trees and everything around them still be in existence. At the time I said yes; of course. It be silly and selfish to think of ourselves as the center of the universe.
I now realize, he was asking the wrong question. He was referring to the trees as some entity distintly separate from my being. The observed trees weren’t some separate distant entity, but rather, they were cognized in my brain through neural fiber cords. You are not an external object, but rather you are your consciousness. Recent science experiences have proved similar findings (watch this short 5 minute video on the double-slit experiment). The universe doesn’t create life, life creates the universe. The content of consciousness is the ultimate reality.
What does this mean and what ultimate implications does this have for my life? For one, I feel more in control. You quite literally construct your own reality. I also feel as if I have a stronger sense of compassion. I am beginning to see myself in others, the rich and the famous, the depressed and the poor, for we are all one and the same. I see my soul as a boundless entity dancing through the endless depths of the cosmos with the same love and curiosity of a new born child.
Finally, I leave you with this picture
