Bureau of Lost Culture How to Expand Your Consciousness Part 1: Philosophy
Sep 3, 2023
Join philosopher Robert Rowland-Smith, known for works like Breakfast with Socrates, as he explores the intersection of philosophy and counterculture. He discusses making philosophy accessible through engaging discussions and initiatives like Philosophy Slam. The conversation dives into the roots of philosophical thought, questioning if it's truly for everyone, and examines the role of the unconscious in creativity. Robert also touches on R.D. Laing's reflections on madness and introduces the concept of Constellations, a unique approach to tackling grief and revealing hidden emotional dynamics.
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Philosophy As Counterculture
- Philosophy began as a countercultural practice that questions social dogmas and authority.
- That skeptical tradition underpins both science and political dissent, making philosophy inherently disruptive.
Two Philosophies: Ivory Tower vs Life Questions
- There are two broad philosophical traditions: technical academic philosophy and practical continental philosophy.
- The latter asks universal life questions and is accessible and relevant to everyone.
Presence Harbors Absence
- Derrida argues repetition (quotation) shows words and being are never fully present and always open to reinterpretation.
- Presence conceals absence, so meaning and being are always deferred into other contexts.
