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The Connectivity Hypothesis: Foundations of an Integral Science of Quantum, Cosmos, Life, and Consciousness
Ervin Laszlo, widely regarded as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, introduces the foundations of a genuine unified theory of the world in this pioneering treatise on the new sciences. In contrast to other unified theories that center mainly on physics, Laszlo's embraces quantum, cosmos, life, as well as consciousness. He delineates the principles of a new physics of universal connectivity and puts forth the corresponding metaphysics, discussing the implications for such philosophical issues as the nature of matter and mind, freedom and morality, and design versus evolution. This landmark book lays the groundwork for the non-materialist and non-reductionist yet rigorous paradigm that is likely to signal the next revolution in the "paradigm of universal connectivity."
156 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
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About the author
Ervin Laszlo
223 books227 followersErvin Laszlo is a systems philosopher, integral theorist, and classical pianist. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, he has authored more than 70 books, which have been translated into nineteen languages, and has published in excess of four hundred articles and research papers, including six volumes of piano recordings.
Dr. Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, and serves as the founder-director of the General Evolution Research Group and as past president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. He is also the recipient of the highest degree in philosophy and human sciences from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, as well as of the coveted Artist Diploma of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest. Additional prizes and awards include four honorary doctorates.
His appointments have included research grants at Yale and Princeton Universities, professorships for philosophy, systems sciences, and future sciences at the Universities of Houston, Portland State, and Indiana, as well as Northwestern University and the State University of New York. His career also included guest professorships at various universities in Europe and the Far East. In addition, he worked as program director for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). In 1999 he was was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Canadian International Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics.
For many years he has served as president of the Club of Budapest, which he founded. He is an advisor to the UNESCO Director General, ambassador of the International Delphic Council, member of both the International Academy of Science, World Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Philosophy.
Dr. Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, and serves as the founder-director of the General Evolution Research Group and as past president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. He is also the recipient of the highest degree in philosophy and human sciences from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, as well as of the coveted Artist Diploma of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest. Additional prizes and awards include four honorary doctorates.
His appointments have included research grants at Yale and Princeton Universities, professorships for philosophy, systems sciences, and future sciences at the Universities of Houston, Portland State, and Indiana, as well as Northwestern University and the State University of New York. His career also included guest professorships at various universities in Europe and the Far East. In addition, he worked as program director for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). In 1999 he was was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Canadian International Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics.
For many years he has served as president of the Club of Budapest, which he founded. He is an advisor to the UNESCO Director General, ambassador of the International Delphic Council, member of both the International Academy of Science, World Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 10, 2026
Here is the comprehensive summary of Ervin Laszlo’s work in simple text format, organized line by line without icons or symbols.
Core Objective and Theoretical Framework
The central objective is to present an integral theory of everything.
This theory overcomes fragmentation in modern science.
It demonstrates that the universe is a fundamentally interconnected whole rather than isolated parts.
Laszlo proposes a subquantum field as the missing link of connectivity.
This field is named the Akashic Field or A-field.
It functions as a universal medium for information and connection.
Key Pillar One The Subquantum Information Field
Laszlo identifies the quantum vacuum as a physically real information rich field.
The field acts as a holographic record of all events in space and time.
It stores the traces of everything that has occurred through holographic patterns.
It serves as the mechanism for non local interactions.
Particles organisms and galaxies remain in touch across vast distances instantaneously.
Key Pillar Two Quantum Science and Non Locality
Anomalous findings in quantum physics provide evidence for underlying connectivity.
Entanglement and wave particle duality are key examples of this evidence.
Separated particles that once interacted remain correlated instantaneously.
This correlation suggests they belong to a single system mediated by the vacuum.
Key Pillar Three Evolutionary Cosmology
The cosmos is part of a larger cycle rather than an isolated event.
Our universe may be one in a succession of universes within a meta universe.
Successive universes inherit physical constants and information from previous cycles.
The A-field explains why the universe appears uniquely tuned for life.
Key Pillar Four Life and Biological Evolution
Biological organisms are highly tuned systems relying on constant field based coordination.
Chemical reactions alone cannot fully explain the complexity of life.
The A-field provides a coordinating signal or blueprint for systemic harmony.
Trillions of cells work together through this field based information.
Evolution involves adaptive mutation through interaction with information fields.
This leads to more rapid and purposeful adaptations than random probability predicts.
Key Pillar Five Consciousness and Transpersonal Experience
Consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality rather than just a brain product.
The brain acts as a transceiver that processes information stored in the A-field.
Individual consciousness can link with a larger universal memory.
This explains transpersonal connections like collective intuition and telepathy.
It also addresses phenomena such as near death experiences.
Evidence and Anomalies Addressed
The hypothesis addresses anomalies that disciplinary sciences struggle to explain.
Cosmic fine tuning is explained by the inheritance of information through the vacuum.
Biological speed refers to the rapid evolution of complex life beyond random chance.
Psychic phenomena are validated as minds communicating without physical proximity.
Conclusion The Integral Vision
The connectivity hypothesis provides the foundation for a new integral science.
Interdependence means no entity exists in total isolation.
The universe is an informed system that remembers its own history.
The theory bridges the gap between science and spirituality.
Physical and mental aspects are seen as two sides of one interconnected reality.
Core Objective and Theoretical Framework
The central objective is to present an integral theory of everything.
This theory overcomes fragmentation in modern science.
It demonstrates that the universe is a fundamentally interconnected whole rather than isolated parts.
Laszlo proposes a subquantum field as the missing link of connectivity.
This field is named the Akashic Field or A-field.
It functions as a universal medium for information and connection.
Key Pillar One The Subquantum Information Field
Laszlo identifies the quantum vacuum as a physically real information rich field.
The field acts as a holographic record of all events in space and time.
It stores the traces of everything that has occurred through holographic patterns.
It serves as the mechanism for non local interactions.
Particles organisms and galaxies remain in touch across vast distances instantaneously.
Key Pillar Two Quantum Science and Non Locality
Anomalous findings in quantum physics provide evidence for underlying connectivity.
Entanglement and wave particle duality are key examples of this evidence.
Separated particles that once interacted remain correlated instantaneously.
This correlation suggests they belong to a single system mediated by the vacuum.
Key Pillar Three Evolutionary Cosmology
The cosmos is part of a larger cycle rather than an isolated event.
Our universe may be one in a succession of universes within a meta universe.
Successive universes inherit physical constants and information from previous cycles.
The A-field explains why the universe appears uniquely tuned for life.
Key Pillar Four Life and Biological Evolution
Biological organisms are highly tuned systems relying on constant field based coordination.
Chemical reactions alone cannot fully explain the complexity of life.
The A-field provides a coordinating signal or blueprint for systemic harmony.
Trillions of cells work together through this field based information.
Evolution involves adaptive mutation through interaction with information fields.
This leads to more rapid and purposeful adaptations than random probability predicts.
Key Pillar Five Consciousness and Transpersonal Experience
Consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality rather than just a brain product.
The brain acts as a transceiver that processes information stored in the A-field.
Individual consciousness can link with a larger universal memory.
This explains transpersonal connections like collective intuition and telepathy.
It also addresses phenomena such as near death experiences.
Evidence and Anomalies Addressed
The hypothesis addresses anomalies that disciplinary sciences struggle to explain.
Cosmic fine tuning is explained by the inheritance of information through the vacuum.
Biological speed refers to the rapid evolution of complex life beyond random chance.
Psychic phenomena are validated as minds communicating without physical proximity.
Conclusion The Integral Vision
The connectivity hypothesis provides the foundation for a new integral science.
Interdependence means no entity exists in total isolation.
The universe is an informed system that remembers its own history.
The theory bridges the gap between science and spirituality.
Physical and mental aspects are seen as two sides of one interconnected reality.
October 2, 2021
Some interesting speculations suggesting how by moving away from general relativity as traditionally conceived with space and time being curved towards a more field based understanding of gravity and a reinstatement of some sort of ether, we have a much better chance to make the theory here consistent with quantum theory and the observational reality of certain coherent quantum phenomena that are otherwise hopelessly impossible to account for.
July 28, 2011
Laszlo draws together quantum mechanics, the complexities and relativity together describing the core quantum rationality that links them all together through a PSI field. He does a great job showing sub-atomic physics, living systems, human consciousness and the ever spanning universe are all linked together to make a interconnected whole.
January 25, 2016
Challenging reading. As the title suggests, this was an attempt by Laszlo to synthesize avant garde (his words) research/findings into a unified hypothesis of existence/reality. In fact, there are multiple hypotheses delineated. It was mildly disappointing that he did not include suggestions as to how the hypothesis or hypotheses might be tested.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews