The Seer's Explanation

by Larry Gottlieb

For anyone who has ever tried to understand what it is to be a human being, the quest for this fundamental kind of knowledge has always been grounded on a few basic, but hidden, assumptions. Foremost among these unquestioned predicates is the existence of the world as a given, a backdrop against which our thoughts and actions are given focus. Rarely in the philosophical literature has anyone questioned this idea, that the world exists whether we are here to experience it or not. This basic, largely unquestioned assumption gives rise to a need for thinkers to explain how consciousness arises from the basic building blocks of which the world consists. Drawing on his background in physics and decades of non–traditional study, Gottlieb asks what happens if you reverse this inquiry, and start from the premise that consciousness exists whether or not there is a world to perceive. After all, every interpretation of quantum mechanics, the foundation of modern physics, is based on observation, and observation requires the existence of consciousness. In the process of this inquiry, he proposes a radically different explanation for the existence of the world and of our relationship to it. Because the Seer’s Explanation is constructed on the mirror image of the most fundamental assumption underlying the traditional explanation, it is no wonder that this new explanation leads to radically different conclusions regarding what a human being is, what is possible for individuals and their societies, and the relationship humans have with the universe itself.

252 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2013

About the author

Larry Gottlieb earned his degrees in physics from MIT and the University of California. He has always wanted to know how the world works and felt physics would answer his questions in a definitive way. However, one day a life-changing experience could not be explained in that context, and he suddenly realized there was more to this inquiry than he could have imagined.

Over the last 48 years, Larry has endeavored to explain what happened that day and this has led him to a larger understanding of what it means to be a human being.

He has lectured, led discussions and workshops, written blogs, and recorded podcasts that captures this unique way of observing the world and its inhabitants.

Living in Colorado with his wife, Larry continues this inquiry in writings and conversations. Information about his current book, Hoodwinked: Uncovering Our Fundamental Superstitions, can be found at https://www.larrygottlieb.com/hoodwinked. He can be reached at larry@larrygottlieb.com.