Dr. John Vervaeke
Transcendent Naturalism Ep. 1 | Dr. John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Transcendent Naturalism aims to bridge science and spirituality, challenging reductionism.
- The discussion explores the importance of differentiation for accurate causal understanding.
- Maintaining ontological differences between measured and measuring entities is crucial in physics.
Deep dives
The Need for Leveled Ontology and Essential Differences in Reality
The argument presented emphasizes that intelligibility in reality is not solely dependent on generalizations, but also on essential differences. By highlighting the trade-offs between generalization and discrimination, the importance of differentiation for accurate causal understanding is underscored. The discussion delves into how identity and difference are both crucial factors in making reality intelligible and how the collapse of differentiation may lead to a loss of intelligibility.
Causal Powers and Emergence from Higher Organizational Levels
Hall's argument focuses on the causal powers exhibited at higher organizational levels that are not reducible to lower levels. The concept of building in redundancy for effective signal transmission highlights the necessity of structural organization for causation. This argument elucidates how constraints and causes interact in a feedback loop manner, contributing to self-organization without circular explanations.
Measurement Problem and Corporeal Layer in Physics
Wolfgang Smith's argument addresses the measurement problem in physics, emphasizing the need for a stable measuring device that surpasses the entities being measured in stability and integrity. This necessitates the introduction of a corporeal layer above the material, creating an essential ontological difference between the measured and measuring entities. The discussion pertains to how maintaining this distinction is vital for accurate measurements at quantum levels.
Arguments for Leveled Ontology and Real Measurement in Science
Science presupposes real information, causal signaling, structures, and measurement, which require a layered ontology. The argument emphasizes that if only the bottom level is considered real, science faces a performative contradiction. The significance of real entities at multiple levels is crucial for scientific knowledge to be valid.
Conformity Theory and Transjectivity for Forming Epistemic Truths
The conformity theory asserts that for genuine knowledge, the mind and external reality must share the same form. It contrasts with representational theory, highlighting a deep relational connection between subjectivity and objectivity, necessary for truth and knowledge. The concept of transjectivity proposes a deeper relation beyond subjectivity-objectivity, enabling intelligible understanding and epistemic conformity.
Dr. John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques challenge prevailing notions about science, spirituality, and their intricate relationship in this first episode of the new series entitled: Transcendent Naturalism. They embark on a journey through modern worldviews, diving into concepts such as reductionism, the Cartesian divide, and the tension between objective and subjective understanding. This dialogue brings out the complexity of reconciling quantum mechanics and relativity, the prevalent models that rob human beings of meaning and wisdom, and the importance of transcendence. Furthermore, the discourse touches on extended naturalism, the critique of reductionism, and the groundbreaking concept of energy information singularity. Dr. Vervaeke and Henriques shed light on meta-arguments, the relevance of convergence in argumentation, the depth of transjectivity, and the vast expanse of collective intelligence. They also explore the concepts of abstraction, self-organization, and the interplay of causality and constraints.
Top 15 Moments:
- 00:00:00: Dr. John Vervaeke introduces the new series "Transcendent Naturalism," a bridge between science and spirituality.
- 00:01:36: Gregg Henriques underscores the significance of understanding meaning-making and its relevance today.
- 00:04:56: Dr. Vervaeke highlights the tension between science and spirituality in contemporary culture.
- 00:07:34: Dr. Vervaeke explores the idea of reductionism within the hard sciences.
- 00:10:33: The discussion dives into the implications of the subjective-objective divide.
- 00:15:30: Dr. Vervaeke speaks on the prevalent models depriving human beings of meaning and wisdom.
- 00:18:40: The purpose of the series is presented, aiming to help listeners transcend their intellectual straitjackets.
- 00:22:41: Dr. Vervaeke emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of the psyche's grip on reality.
- 00:23:30 Introduction of the concept of extended naturalism, suggesting that our understanding of reality isn't limited to what's derivable from hard sciences but also includes what these sciences presuppose.
- 00:30:24: The discourse moves to a conformity theory of knowing, the idea of reality not being flat land, and the need for a leveled ontology.
- 00:45:16: Gregg Henriques discusses the role of abstraction in communication.
- 00:59:53: Dr. Vervaeke introduces the concept of reality being layered in a bottom-up emergence and top-down emanation.
- 01:06:40: Conformity theory: how the principles governing the mind and the world mutually participate in the same governing principles.
- 01:09:20: Transjectivity: a deeper relationship than subjectivity and objectivity, which is necessary for knowledge and truth.
- 01:15:39: The power of collective intelligence in problem-solving and understanding complex concepts is explored.
- 01:18:27: Dr. Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques discuss their converging ideas and the importance of ongoing dialogue.
- 01:23:40: Gregg Henriques discusses the concept of transjectivity and its application to his key concepts.
Resources Mentioned:
Books
- A New Synthesis for Solving the Problem of Psychology: Addressing the Enlightenment Gap - Gregg Henriques
- Aspects of Truth: A New Religious Metaphysics - Catherine Pickstock
- Fifth Business - Robertson Davies
- Essential Difference: Toward a Metaphysics of Emergence - James Blachowicz
- Dynamics in Action: Intentional Behavior as a Complex System | Context Changes Everything: How Constraints Create Coherence - Alicia Juarrero
- Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind - Evan Thompson
- Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions - Arthur Versluis
Videos
- Dr. John Vervaeke
- The Meaning Code
People
- Ned Block
- Erik Hoel
- Michael Levin
- D. C. Schindler
- Wolfgang Smith
- Sir Karl Friston
- Heidegger
- Roy Bhaskar
Miscellaneous
- UTOK
- Archdisciplinary Research Center (ARC)
- Gödel's incompleteness theorems
- Russell’s Paradox
- Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke:
- J.J. Gibson – Affordances
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