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Dr. Jacobs is joined by guest Jonathan Pageau for an in-depth discussion on the nature of symbolic thinking and philosophical realism. They explore how symbols function in reality, the relationship between ancient worldviews and modern nominalism, and the distinction between genuine symbology and eisegesis. The conversation addresses the metaphysical foundations of symbolic interpretation, the role of idealism in understanding reality, and whether symbols are merely useful fictions or constitute the actual structure of the world.
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00:00:00 Intro
00:00:52 Jonathan’s Background
00:17:31 Symbology 101: What is Symbolic Thinking?
00:22:01 Philosophical Realism and Ancient Intuition
00:25:01 Are Symbols Real or Useful Fictions?
00:37:27 Idealism and the Structure of Reality
00:44:02 Christ-Shaped Reality and the Logos
01:12:20 How to Avoid Eisegesis in Symbolic Interpretation
01:23:45 The Danger of Gnostic and Esoteric Fascination
01:28:58 The Problem of Non-Realist Symbolism
