UTOKing with Gregg Ep 85 | UTOKing with John Vervaeke | Meaning, UTOK, and the Consciousness Conference
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Feb 8, 2025 
John Vervaeke, a professor recognized for his work on meaning and consciousness, joins Gregg to discuss their recent book, 'Awakening From the Meaning Crisis.' They dive into innovative perspectives on life's meaning, balancing personal beliefs with societal challenges. The conversation also explores the intricacies of consciousness through cognitive science, emphasizing the need for a coherent model. Additionally, they share insights on the upcoming UTOK Conference and their collaborative efforts in advancing the understanding of meaning and subjectivity.
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Shifting Worldviews
- Gregg Henriques's father shifted from an evangelical worldview to a Dawkins-esque perspective after a crisis of faith.
- He now emphasizes personal happiness as the primary source of meaning, reflecting a shift in his belief system.
Critique of Meaning-in-Life Measures
- Standard meaning-in-life measures don't capture the broader societal context or shared aspects of meaning.
- Vervaeke critiques these measures for being individualistic, internalistic, and neglecting the normative dimension of meaning.
Two Problems of Consciousness
- The hard problem of consciousness consists of two distinct problems: the brain-mind problem (neuroscience) and the descriptive metaphysical problem.
- These problems require different approaches, one focusing on the brain's mechanisms and the other on the nature of mind and matter.
