Philosophical Connections: Relational Ontology and the Modern Crisis

101 snips

Nov 22, 2024

James Filler, author of 'Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being', shares insights into the principles of relational ontology, asserting that relationships are fundamental to understanding reality. He explores the philosophical conflict between Parmenides and Heraclitus and its relevance to modern science. Their conversation meanders through the complexities of Eastern and Western Christianity, critiques of substance ontology, and the dynamic interplay of ancient philosophy with contemporary ethics. Filler's upcoming work promises to deepen these discussions.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Filler's Book

James Filler's book, "Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being", argues for relationality's importance.
The book challenges the view of reality as primarily composed of individual things and their interactions.

ANECDOTE

Filler's Dissertation Journey

James Filler describes his journey in writing his dissertation on relational ontology.
His work started with pre-Socratics and went through Heidegger, exceeding 220,000 words initially.

INSIGHT

Relational Ontology

John Vervaeke and James Filler discuss the challenge of placing relations within an Aristotelian substance ontology.
They propose that relationality is more fundamental than individual substances, arguing for a relational ontology.

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

Get the app

Being and time

Martin Heidegger

In 'Being and Time', Heidegger delves into the fundamental question of what it means to 'be'. The book is divided into two main divisions: the first analyzes the existentials of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world', while the second grounds these existentials in temporality. Heidegger introduces key concepts such as 'Dasein', 'Being-with', and the three temporal ecstases (having-been, present, and to-come), emphasizing that Dasein's existence is essentially futural and characterized by its possibilities and projects. The work challenges traditional philosophical notions of subject and object, instead positing that Dasein is inseparable from its world and historical context[2][4][5].

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.

The One

null

Paas

This book explores the convergence of Neoplatonism and contemporary physics, arguing that a relational ontology offers a more adequate account of reality. It examines the implications of this view for various aspects of physics, including quantum mechanics and relativity. The author challenges traditional views on the nature of reality and offers a new perspective on the relationship between physics and metaphysics. The book is a significant contribution to the field of physics, offering a fresh perspective on some of the most fundamental questions about the nature of reality.

Substance Ontology and the Crisis of Reason

null

James Filler

This book deepens the critique of substance thinking in Western philosophy, exploring the historical development of substance ontology from the pre-Socratics to contemporary thinkers. It examines the implications of substance thinking for various aspects of Western thought, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics. The author argues that a relational ontology offers a more adequate account of reality and its challenges to traditional views on the nature of existence. The book is a significant contribution to the field of philosophy, offering a fresh perspective on some of the most fundamental questions about existence.

The Divine Matrix

null

David Ray Griffin

This book explores the intersection of process philosophy and theology, offering a new way of understanding the relationship between God and the world. It challenges traditional views on God and offers a new perspective on the nature of reality. The book is a significant contribution to the field of theology, offering a fresh perspective on some of the most fundamental questions about God and the world. It is a must-read for anyone interested in theology, philosophy, or the relationship between God and the world.

Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being

James Filler

This book explores the philosophical underpinnings of relational ontology, arguing that relationality is more fundamental than individual existence in understanding reality. It examines the philosophies of Heidegger and Neoplatonism, and their convergence with contemporary physics and biology. The author challenges traditional ontological perspectives and offers a new way of understanding the nature of reality. The book is a significant contribution to the field of philosophy, offering a fresh perspective on some of the most fundamental questions about existence. It is a must-read for anyone interested in ontology, metaphysics, or the philosophy of science.

Metaphysics

Aristotle

Aristotle's Metaphysics is a collection of fourteen books exploring fundamental questions about reality, substance, change, and causality. It delves into the nature of being, exploring concepts like potentiality and actuality, substance and accident, and the relationship between form and matter. This work significantly influenced Western philosophy, shaping metaphysical discussions for centuries. Its complex arguments and profound insights continue to be studied and debated by scholars today, offering a rich understanding of Aristotle's philosophical system.

The Republic

Plato

The Enneads

Plotinus

The Enneads are a comprehensive set of philosophical treatises written by Plotinus and edited by his student Porphyry. The work is divided into six groups of nine treatises each, hence the name 'Enneads'. It covers a wide range of subjects including human ethics, cosmological and physical reality, the nature of the soul, knowledge and intelligible reality, and the ultimate principles of being and the One. The arrangement of the treatises follows a pedagogical plan rather than chronological order, guiding the reader from practical to more abstract and metaphysical topics.