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Networks
of Meaning
:
A bridge between mind and matter
By Christine Hardy, PhD.
1998, $55.00 hardcover
NETWORKS OF MEANING proposes a framework which can account for complex thought processes
(such as creativity and insights), and for the meaningful interactions which take place
between minds, and between mind and its physical environment. Semantic Fields theory lays
the foundation for understanding the mind's self-organization by proposing a particular
mental architecture—a lattice of networks—and a connective dynamic.
Contrary to the dominant symbolic paradigm, the theory poses that thinking is
fundamentally non-logical and not rule-bound. Rather, it is a connective and nonlinear
process, best understood through a framework blending a network architecture (neural nets)
and chaos theory (complex systems) dynamics.
It is postulated that the mind imprints organization and order upon the outer world. This
dynamic generates a semantic dimension in objects themselves—eco-semantic fields or
eco-fields. As suggested, semantic connective processes are organized not by space-time
parameters, but by semantic parameters (such as semantic proximity), which instantiate
nonlocal connections between distant semantic fields—whether between minds or between
minds and the environment. Semantic dynamics are the ground for both ESP and PK
phenomena, whether conscious or nonconscious. Thus, the model hypothesizes that the
organizing influence of the mind on surrounding eco-fields will affect the nature and
probability of events connected to the person.
Perhaps one of the most provocative concepts of the book is the idea of a universe imbued
with meaning, and constantly transformed by the meanings collectively generated and
projected unto it. We participate, in a most intimate manner, in the way our environment
evolves; we collectively determine humanity's future state by our beliefs, values and
thought processes.
WHAT THE CRITICS HAVE SAID:
"Christine Hardy's book gives us a rich and broad semantic psychology that unfolds
into a penetrating examination of consciousness itself. The result bridges the gap between
traditional cognitive psychology and the modern process-oriented approach of the sciences
of complexity. This book may well be the first step to an entirely new and deeply human
understanding of the mind."
Allan Combs, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina and Saybrook Institute. Author and editor of over 50 books
and articles on the mind and the brain, including The Radiance of Being and
Nonlinear Dynamics in Human Behavior
______________________
"In NETWORKS OF MEANING, Christine Hardy takes chaos theory (non-linear dynamics,
chaos and complexity theory, take your pick) into areas it has never traveled before.
The result is a reader-friendly, paradigm-expanding book that deepens as well as
expands the vistas of consciousness theory, as well as sketching with broad strokes an
innovative and vital research agenda."
Stanley Krippner, PhD
Professor of Psychology, Saybrook Institute.
Co-author of The Mythic Path and of Broken Images, Broken Selves
______________________
"I suspect these lines of research will prove a popular direction for theorists who
follow, and will challenge us all to enrich our thinking. The transformation and
broadening of our mental frameworks comes with enormous responsibility. To quote Hardy:
'Collectively, we co-create our culture and civilization, we inform the future of
humanity.' It is time we took this responsibility seriously."
Frederick Abraham, PhD
Blueberry Brain Institute, VT, USA.
Co-author of A Visual Introduction to Dynamical Systems Theory for Psychology and
co-editor of Chaos Theory in Psychology
___________________
"I think this is an important new model of reality that has a lot of recommend it.
Like all good models, it both explains a great deal of unusual circumstances that don't
fit well into existing models, and it brings up a great deal of possibilities for further
investigation. I really do think the semantic field model is a very important one that
deserves a wide audience."
Robin Robertson, Ph.D.
Author of Jungian archetypes. Jung, Gödel and the history of archetypes,and
co-editor of Chaos Theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences
___________________
"Hardy's text sparkles with illuminating insights and astute discussions, which
assure one that self-referring consciousness studies is not a vain pursuit. Indeed, it
would appear that Networks of Meaning was written explicitly in response to the widely
shared fears which cartoonist Sidney Harris has put in the mouth of one of his characters:
"The great danger we now face, " he quips, "is not that machines will learn
to think like us; it is that we will learn to think like machines!" No person
who reads (and appreciates) Hardy's book need worry about such an eventuality, even if he
is a computer freak. Understanding meaning will keep him in touch with the world -- and
keeping in touch with the world will allow him to function in it as a human being. He will
inform machines; machines will not inform him."
Emilios Bouratinos, scholar and writer
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