The Role of Imagination in Perception and the Contingency of Senses

In Episode 13 of the "Transcendent Naturalism" series, John Vervaeke, Gregg Henriques, and guest Matt Segall engage in a deep exploration of the intersection between spirituality and cognitive science. They delve into how concepts like etheric imagination and process philosophy, particularly in the works of Schelling and Whitehead, can broaden our understanding of naturalism. The dialogue critically examines the constraints of traditional naturalism, highlighting the significance of imagination within scientific frameworks, and discussing the ongoing evolution of human perception and cognition. The episode bridges scientific inquiry with profound existential questions, offering enriched perspectives on the interplay between science, philosophy, and spirituality. 

Matthew T. Segall, Ph.D., is a renowned philosopher specializing in Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy. He earned his doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2016, with a focus on post-Kantian process philosophy. His academic work emphasizes the integration of science, spirituality, and ecology, contributing significantly to contemporary philosophical thought​.

Glossary of Terms

Transcendent Naturalism: A philosophy that expands traditional naturalism to include spiritual and subjective experiences, aiming to integrate scientific inquiry with existential and spiritual questions.

Process Philosophy: A doctrine emphasizing change and becoming, viewing the universe as a constant flux of experiential occasions, associated with Alfred North Whitehead.

Etheric Imagination: A form of imagination that goes beyond physical senses, involving perception or engagement with subtle, non-physical realms or dimensions.

Resources and References

Dr. John Vervaeke: Website | YouTube | Patreon | X | Facebook

Gregg Henriques: Website | X | Facebook

Matt Segall: Website | Patreon | X | Facebook

The Vervaeke Foundation

John Vervaeke YouTube

Is Free Will an Illusion? Navigating Kantian Thought with Dr. Vervaeke & Matt Segall

Dynamics of Modern Paradigm Shifts with Jordan Hall

Books, Articles, and Publications

Crossing the Threshold: Etheric Imagination in the Post-Kantian Process Philosophy of Schelling and Whitehead - Matthew David Segall

Process-Relational Philosophy: An Introduction to Alfred North Whitehead - C. Robert Mesle

How the Body Shapes the Mind - Shaun Gallagher  

Modes of Thought - Alfred North Whitehead 

Distributed Cognition and the Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission - Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke

The Enactment of Shared Agency in Teams Exploring Mars Through Rovers - Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke

The Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission - Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke

Quotes

"Bringing in the complexity sciences and emergence in a contemporary context is exciting." - Matt Segall

"Transcendent naturalism is trying to incorporate elements traditionally considered supernatural." - Matt Segall 

"There's a needle to be threaded in understanding new age movements." - Matt Segall

"The imaginal is crucial for understanding how we connect with the world." - John Vervaeke 

"Language plays a key role in connecting different perspectives." - John Vervaeke 

Chapters with Timestamps

[00:00:00] Introduction of Guest and Topic 

[00:01:32] Discussion on Etheric Imagination and Process Philosophy 

[00:04:48] Exploring the Limitations of Traditional Naturalism 

[00:14:35] The Role of Imagination in Scientific Contexts 

[00:20:05] The Evolving Nature of Human Perception and Cognition

[00:25:27] Exploring the Concept of 'One World' in Naturalism 

[00:43:33] The Integration of Different Forms of Knowing

[00:54:55] Concluding Thoughts and Perspectives

Timestamped Highlights

[00:01:00] -  John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques welcome Matt Segall and discuss his recent book. 

[00:02:17] - Discussion about a previous episode with Jordan Hall, focusing on the alignment of Whitehead's process philosophy with future-oriented wisdom philosophies.

[00:03:20] - Matt Segall introduces the concept of emergent properties in the context of cognitive science, discussing how these concepts challenge and expand traditional scientific understanding.

[00:04:48] - Segall shares his views on the limitations of traditional naturalism, explaining how it often neglects subjective and spiritual experiences in scientific discourse.

[00:09:23] - Vervaeke elaborates on the non-rejecting nature of transcendent naturalism, emphasizing its aim to extend rather than refute traditional views.

[00:11:41] - The discussion touches on the significance of pluralism in understanding naturalism.

[00:14:06] - The conversation shifts to explore the difference between fantasy and the imaginal, discussing their roles in understanding and perceiving reality.

[00:20:42] - Henriques reflects on the broader definition and scope of naturalism, differentiating it from materialism and emphasizing its varied interpretations.

[00:25:58] - The dialogue explores the concept of 'one world' within naturalism, discussing its implications for understanding reality as a process of continual actualization and evolution.

[00:31:04] - The hosts discuss how language and imagination can bridge understanding across different disciplines and perspectives.

[00:36:47] - Segall discusses the universality of categories in Whitehead's work, explaining how they provide a common ground for different faiths and philosophical perspectives.

[00:43:52] - Discussion on the concepts of body schema and body image, relating them to how imagination and perception influence our interaction with the world and the evolutionary development of our sensory organs.

[00:49:48] - The panel discusses distributed cognition's role in perceiving reality beyond the five senses and seeks to connect this concept with Alfred North Whitehead's philosophical ideas on societal interconnections.

[00:54:55] - Concluding thoughts on the episode's topics and discussion of plans for future conversations.