The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

chevron_right

414. The Rebirth of the Sacred with John Vervaeke

whatshot 218 snips

Jan 15, 2024

Guest

John Vervaeke

John Vervaeke, an Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science, engages in a fascinating discussion about the merging of science and spirituality. They explore the ties between calling and conscience, featuring historical insights from Descartes and Socratic philosophy. Vervaeke shares thoughts on the transformative power of love and meaningful relationships, while examining the metaphysical parallels between baptism and rebirth. The conversation also highlights the significance of navigating suffering and the quest for meaning in today's world.

01:41:54

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Vervaeke's Next Series

John Vervaeke plans to film a series, "Walking the Philosophical Silk Road."
It involves tracing Neoplatonism and Zen traditions, merging them in a dialogue on the sacred.

insights

INSIGHT

Advent of the Sacred

Vervaeke sees a new advent of the sacred arising in response to the meaning crisis.
He aims to explore this through his work.

insights

INSIGHT

Vervaeke Foundation

The Vervaeke Foundation supports Vervaeke's work and manages practical aspects.
It funds projects, manages finances, and facilitates educational programs.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Philosophical Journeys and AI Insights

01:36 • 9min

chevron_right

Empowering Growth Through Trust and Delegation

10:43 • 7min

chevron_right

The Sacred: Conscience and Calling

17:29 • 11min

chevron_right

The Healing Power of Love and Transcendence

28:46 • 5min

chevron_right

Philosophy of Transformation: Baptism and Beyond

33:50 • 14min

chevron_right

Exploring Betrayal and Spiritual Growth through Sin

47:44 • 3min

chevron_right

Jonah's Descent and Ethical Transformation

50:50 • 10min

chevron_right

Navigating the Tension Between Finitude and Transcendence

01:01:02 • 3min

chevron_right

The Path to Self-Discovery and Sacredness

01:04:02 • 11min

chevron_right

Navigating the Sacred: Meaning and Morality

01:14:48 • 24min

chevron_right

Navigating the Intricacies of Depression and Meaningful Living

01:38:49 • 5min

chevron_right

#2678

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

The Courage to Be

Paul Tillich

This book, based on Tillich's Terry Foundation lectures at Yale University, discusses the concept of courage in various philosophical and theological contexts. It presents courage as the strength to affirm one's own life in spite of its inevitable end and the lack of purpose. Tillich analyzes courage in relation to fortitude, wisdom, self-affirmation, and existence itself, drawing on thinkers such as Plato, Aquinas, the Stoics, Spinoza, and Nietzsche. The book is a sophisticated discussion of human ontology, anthropology, and theology, introducing these concepts to a lay readership.

#80

• Mentioned in 121 episodes

Maps of Meaning

The Architecture of Belief

Jordan B Peterson

In 'Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief', Jordan Peterson synthesizes insights from neuropsychology, cognitive science, and Jungian approaches to mythology and narrative. The book examines why people from different cultures and eras have formulated myths and stories with similar structures, and how these myths reflect fundamental aspects of human cognition and morality. Peterson argues that the human mind categorizes the world into known and unknown territories, and that myths and religious stories represent the eternal struggle between order and chaos. He also discusses the role of heroic figures in bridging these two realms and the importance of confronting the unknown to achieve personal and societal growth. The book is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that aims to make the wisdom of myth accessible to the modern mind.

#1442

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Inferno

Dante Alighieri

Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy. It describes Dante's journey through the nine concentric circles of Hell, each representing a different level of sin and punishment. Guided by Virgil, Dante encounters various historical and mythological figures, witnessing their punishments which are symbolic of their sins. The poem is an allegory of the soul's journey towards God, with Inferno representing the recognition and rejection of sin. Dante's journey through Hell is also a personal and spiritual exploration, reflecting his own struggles and the political and social issues of his time.

#1111

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

The Red Book

A Reader's Edition (Philemon)

Jung, C. G.

#176

• Mentioned in 73 episodes

The Republic

Plato

#1343

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Awakening from the Meaning Crisis

A Deeper Understanding of Meaning and the Meaning Crisis

John Vervaeke

In "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," John Vervaeke explores the pervasive sense of meaninglessness in modern society. He delves into the cognitive and philosophical roots of this crisis, examining how our understanding of the world contributes to feelings of emptiness and disconnection. Vervaeke offers a framework for understanding meaning, proposing that it's not a singular entity but a multifaceted concept encompassing purpose, significance, and mattering. He challenges readers to re-evaluate their values and find meaning in their lives through self-reflection and engagement with the world. The book provides a blend of philosophical insights and scientific research, offering a comprehensive approach to navigating the meaning crisis.

#97

• Mentioned in 108 episodes

The Gulag Archipelago

An Experiment in Literary Investigation

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population.

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down in person with Dr. John Vervaeke. They discuss the relationship between your calling and your conscience, the three dimensions of the sacred, how Descartes famous “I think therefore I am” conclusion might be restructured in modern day, what exactly Socrates’s Daemon was, and the bridging of morality and meaning.

John Vervaeke is an Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. His work constructs a bridge between science and spirituality in order to understand the experience of meaningfulness and the cultivation of wisdom so as to afford awakening from the meaning crisis.

This episode was recorded on January 8th, 2023

- Links -

For Dr. John Vervaeke:

Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke

After Socrates (Series) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOwjmZx12gk&list=PLND1JCRq8Vuj6q5NP_fXjBzUT1p_qYSCC

The Vervaeke Foundation https://vervaekefoundation.org/

“Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis” (book) https://www.amazon.com/Zombies-Western-Culture-Twenty-First-Century/dp/1783743298

"Mentoring the Machines: Orientation - Part One: Surviving the Deep Impact of the Artificially Intelligent Tomorrow" (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Mentoring-Machines-Orientation-Artificially-Intelligent/dp/1645010821/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1705353143&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+Vervaeke&s=books&sr=1-2&text=John+Vervaeke

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books