John Lilly

Date of Birth: January 6, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: September 30, 2001

Biography

John Cunningham Lilly was an American physician, neuroscientist, psychoanalyst, psychonaut, philosopher, writer, and inventor. Born on January 6, 1915, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Lilly is best known for his extensive work in the fields of biophysics, electronics, computer science, and neurophysiology. His pioneering research on dolphin communication and sensory deprivation tanks has remained influential. Lilly studied at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) before earning a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942. During his career, he held various academic positions and worked for the National Institutes of Health. Lilly’s work in the 1950s on sensory deprivation led to the invention of the isolation tank, which facilitated studies on human consciousness. In the 1960s, Lilly began to explore the potential for interspecies communication, particularly with dolphins. His controversial experiments included attempting to teach dolphins English and studying their vocalizations. Lilly’s work inspired the creation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and influenced the development of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Lilly also delved into psychedelic research, exploring the effects of substances like LSD on the human mind. His books, such as “The Mind of the Dolphin” (1967) and “Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer” (1968), have influenced a wide range of disciplines, from cognitive psychology to artificial intelligence. John Lilly continued his explorations of consciousness and communication until his death on September 30, 2001, in Los Angeles, California.

5 Interesting Facts about John Lilly

1. John Lilly invented the isolation tank, which is used for sensory deprivation research.

2. He conducted groundbreaking research on dolphin communication, attempting to teach dolphins to speak English.

3. Lilly’s work inspired the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

4. He was a pioneer in the field of consciousness research, exploring the effects of LSD and other psychedelics.

5. Lilly’s interdisciplinary work influenced fields ranging from cognitive psychology to artificial intelligence.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Lilly

1. “In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true either is true or becomes true.”

2. “We do not know what we do not know, and we do not know that we do not know it.”

3. “All of my work with dolphins has been to find out what they are like and what their capacities are.”

4. “The human biocomputer can be programmed and metaprogrammed.”

5. “When you decide to meet a challenge, you accept the responsibility and the consequences.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Lilly’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but it is estimated to have been between $1-2 million, primarily from his research grants, book royalties, and patents.