#Episode 35. The Theory of Everything: Metaphysics, Morality, and Meditation ft. Geoffrey Moore
Mar 21, 2022
auto_awesome
Geoffrey Moore, author of 'The Infinite Staircase', joins the hosts to discuss topics like understanding ethics in a secular world, the concept of self-organization in different layers of the universe, the role of language in narrative, embracing mortality, the significance of narrative and legacy, and the connection between meditation and philosophy.
The book 'The Infinite Staircase' presents a metaphysical framework for understanding the universe and our place within it, exploring self-organization, complexity, and emergence.
The book emphasizes the role of narratives in shaping human existence and provides insights into the power and impact of storytelling, highlighting how narratives serve as a means to hypothesize, imagine, and simulate strategies for living.
Deep dives
Metaphysical framework for understanding the universe
Jeffrey Moore's book, The Infinite Staircase, presents a metaphysical framework for understanding the universe and our place within it. The book explores how the universe can be understood through concepts of self-organization, complexity, and emergence. It explains how reality exists in layers, with each layer having its own set of rules. This framework traces the development of the universe from the Big Bang to the present day, highlighting the emergence of different phenomena and the connection between them.
Philosophical insights from a non-philosopher
Jeffrey Moore, despite not being a philosopher by trade, offers a unique perspective on philosophical topics in his book, The Infinite Staircase. Coming from a background in medieval English literature, Moore draws upon his expertise in literature and positions his thoughts within the context of a secular worldview. He explores strategies for living in a contemporary setting, considering how ethical visions and actions can be developed in the absence of traditional religious frameworks. His book offers a compelling and thought-provoking analysis of the intersection between philosophy, literature, and the modern world.
The significance of narratives in human existence
Moore's book emphasizes the role of narratives in shaping human existence and provides insights into the power and impact of storytelling. He highlights how narratives are key to human meaning-making and the development of strategies for living. Moore explains that narratives serve as a means to hypothesize, imagine, and simulate strategies for living. They also facilitate the interpretation of others' actions and provide a context for understanding our own place in the world. By exploring the evolution of narratives and the intertwining of language, culture, and values, Moore reveals the intricate relationship between narratives and human experience.
Exploring ethics and aligning behavior with metaphysics
Moore's book delves into the field of ethics, examining how behavior can be aligned with metaphysical frameworks. He highlights the importance of ethics in navigating the complexities of human existence and offers insights into the relationship between metaphysics and ethical values. Moore argues that ethics must be grounded in metaphysics in order to provide a coherent and meaningful guide for human actions. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the underlying metaphysical framework to ensure our behavior aligns with our values and the nature of reality.
How do we understand ethics in a secular world? In this episode, Isabel and Jonah talk to Geoffrey Moore, about his new book: ‘The Infinite Staircase’. We attempt to weave a thread from metaphysics to consciousness, and culture, right through to ethics. We explore how each of these ‘stairs’ is dependent upon the one that precedes it, how reliable the concepts of good and bad are and how they can be grounded in a secular worldview.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode