We live at a historical turning point, a privileged moment of grace among the ages. The achievements of science are dazzling. But modern science has limits, most evident in the attempts to "reduce" consciousness to the brain.

"Beyond Chance and Necessity," the first essay, claims such a reduction cannot be done. Consciousness is our new frontier and anomalies appearing at the brain/consciousness interface indicate that consciousness cannot be reduced to brain activity and force a revision of explanatory principles unchanged since Plato's time. In particular, near-death experiences, generally disregarded by scientists, undermine the current assumption that matter produces mind and suggest a radical new view of the universe.

"A New Theory of the Universe" presents this view and reverses explanatory principles to claim that consciousness precedes matter. On this view, the author is able to solve the ancient problem of dualism and put civilization on a new foundation.

"The Spiritual Dimensions of Mental Illness" describes the inner side of psychotic episodes, criticizing current psychological models of the self and methods of treatment.

"A Treatise on the First Principles" explores further this consciousness universe and considers the nature of knowing.