Dr. John Vervaeke

The Blind Spot in Perception: Evan Thompson on Cognitive Science, Asian Philosophy, and Mystical Insight

May 10, 2024

Philosopher Evan Thompson and Dr. John Vervaeke discuss cognitive science, Asian philosophy, and mystical insights. They explore the essence of lived experience, relevance realization, and the nature of reality. The conversation delves into the crisis of meaning, performative contradictions in philosophy, uncovering the blind spot in perception, extended naturalism, modes of knowing, and restoring connection to the natural world.

01:14:57

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Evan Thompson

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Quick takeaways

Integrating cognitive science, philosophy, and mysticism offers insights into the modern meaning crisis.

Challenging the hierarchy of reality and appearance, emphasizing the dynamic relationship within experience.

Mystical experiences foster transformative insights, intertwining aesthetics with epistemic humility for profound connection.

Deep dives

The Blind Spot as a Metaphor

The podcast delves into the concept of the blind spot as a metaphor for the limitations in our scientific worldview. The blind spot in the visual field, where the optic nerve leaves the retina, symbolizes the unseen source of science that is essential but often overlooked. This source includes lived experience, direct awareness, and immediate intuition, highlighted by thinkers such as William James and Kitaro Nishida.

The Blind Spot in Science and the Surreptitious Substitution

02:38

Understanding the Relationship Between Order and Disclosure

03:22

Balancing progress with conservation

01:33

Introduction

2min

Exploring 'The Crisis and Meaning, The Meaning Crisis, The Blind Spot'

7min

Exploration of Awakening from a Meeting Crisis and Performative Contradictions in Philosophy

2min

Uncovering the Blind Spot in Perception

14min

Exploration of Extended Naturalism and the Notion of Reality

3min

Exploring Modes of Knowing and the Concept of Bifurcation

18min

Restoring Connection to the Natural World

29min

Evan Thompson is a philosopher and author, specializing in the integration of cognitive science, philosophy of mind, and Asian philosophical traditions. Based at the University of British Columbia, his work, including his recent book 'The Blind Spot', examines the intersections of consciousness, experience, and reality through a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach.

Can cognitive science, philosophy, and mysticism hold the keys to resolving our modern meaning crisis?

Join John Vervaeke and Evan Thompson in a captivating exploration of how these disciplines converge to address this pressing issue. The conversation showcases Thompson's interdisciplinary approach, drawing from his work on 'The Blind Spot' and his extensive background in Asian philosophy and phenomenology. Gain fresh perspectives on the essence of lived experience, the power of relevance realization, and the nature of reality as the discussion unfolds. Prepare for an intellectual journey that promises to deepen our understanding of truth, goodness, and beauty and bridge the gaps between diverse intellectual traditions.

Support John's groundbreaking work and gain exclusive access to live Q&A sessions, early video releases, and more by joining our Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke

Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking insights of Evan Thompson's thought-provoking book, "The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience.” https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spot-Science-Cannot-Experience/dp/0262048809

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“"The blind spot is the inability to see, or to recognize, or to acknowledge that lived experience is the source of science. And so if you undercut the source of science by occluding lived experience, you're actually damaging science." - Evan Thompson [00:19:34]

"The process of formalization of translating things into a formal system is always an ill-defined problem that requires relevance realization." - John Vervaeke [00:30:52]

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00:00 Introduction to Evan Thompson and 'The Blind Spot'

01:05 Evan Thompson's Background and Philosophical Journey

02:10 Diving Into 'The Blind Spot': A Book on the Meaning Crisis

09:30 Exploring Core Ideas and Arguments of 'The Blind Spot'

18:15 Addressing the Meaning Crisis: Science, Experience, and Reality

18:55 Navigating Between Science Triumphalism and Denial

21:30 The Role of Experience in Understanding Reality

31:25 Challenging the Bifurcation of Nature and the 'View from Nowhere'

38:45 Sacredness, Reality, and the Meaning Crisis

40:30 Exploring the Sacred Beyond Science

41:55 Exploring the Depths of the Sacred and Ultimate Concern: Secular vs. Transcendental Perspectives

47:45 The Axial Revolution and Its Impact on Modern Consciousness

56:45 Challenges and Opportunities in Bridging Science and Mysticism

59:54 Philosophical Reflections on Truth, Beauty, and the Good

01:11:10 Concluding Thoughts and Future Dialogues

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Join the Vervaeke Foundation in our mission to advance the scientifically rigorous pursuit of wisdom and make a meaningful impact in the world. https://vervaekefoundation.org/

Discover practices that deepen your virtues and help you connect more deeply with reality and relationships by joining Awaken to Meaning today. https://awakentomeaning.com/

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Idea, Authors, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience - book co-authored by Evan Thompson, Adam Frank, and Marcelo Gleiser

Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy - book by Evan Thompson

Why I Am Not a Buddhist - book by Evan Thompson

Contact with Reality - book by Esther Lightcap Meek

The Nothingness Beyond God - book by Robert Edgar Carter

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Edmund Husserl

Martin Heidegger

William James

Galileo Galilei