Peter Moddel
Peter Moddel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ireland |
| Residence | Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Known for | Philosophy of perception, matter and consciousness |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Philosophy, Astronomy |
Peter Moddel is an Irish-born philosopher, author and amateur astronomer based in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. His work centres on the philosophy of perception, the nature of matter, and the role of consciousness, developing an approach in which philosophical reflection is grounded in observation rather than in abstract ideas.
Biography
Peter Moddel was born in Ireland and settled in Switzerland, living in the Gruyère region of the canton of Fribourg. His formation drew on studies across several disciplines, including philosophy, literature, physics and pedagogy, and was shaped by periods of living in both the West and the East as well as intervals of personal retreat.
Astronomy has been a central activity throughout his life. His interest in building telescopes led him to the study of vision and colour theory, and the formation of colour became a subject of his personal research. A follower of the work of the astronomer Halton Arp since the Palomar era, Moddel describes himself as a passionate amateur astronomer. He has also worked with students and teachers, helping them recognise the mental structures that guide individual ways of learning.
Work
Moddel's philosophical work explores the relationship between mind, self and the physical world, with the role of consciousness forming what he calls the common thread of his search for solutions to specific problems in philosophy. He examines how thought produces concepts, how the senses give rise to perceived qualities such as sound, colour and distance, and what the notion of "I" signifies.
In his discussion of materiality he argues that matter is formed in the mind through a preconscious, creative integration during the act of perception, holding that perceived objects lack inherent substance apart from the perceiving subject. He has noted parallels between this view and the ideas of the ancient philosopher Plotinus. Within the context of the Electric Universe conferences he has argued that mass should not be confused with matter, addressing what he terms the paradox of the presence of matter through the lenses of ancient Greek philosophy, the science of perception, and consciousness.
His book Making Sense (Ibex Press, 2014) presents an inquiry into perception that offers an approach to long-standing questions about the physical world and the role of the perceiving subject, treating intent as an essential component of reality. He has presented related work to the Society for Scientific Exploration, including the talks "Intent and the Process of Becoming Conscious: A Phenomenological View" (2008) and "Mind with Regard to Meaning" (2009), and to the Electric Universe conference EU2017 with "What Can Matter Be? A Philosophical Approach".
Books
- Making Sense. Ibex Press, 2014. ISBN 978-2-9700967-0-2.