

127. Biblical Series: A Wrestling with God
Dive into the biblical tale of Jacob as it reveals deep psychological insights and personal struggles. Discover the timeless theme of sibling rivalry, particularly between Jacob and Esau, reflecting the battle between good and evil. Explore the evolution of sacrifice and the importance of shared goals in community dynamics. Unpack the moral responsibilities tied to life’s challenges and the transformational journey of Jacob's relationships. Finally, delve into how dreams help confront fears, guiding personal growth and resilience.
02:36:49
Internal Conflict & Mythology
- Jacob and Esau's struggle, like Cain and Abel's, represents internal conflict between good and bad impulses.
- This struggle, arising with self-consciousness, is reflected in myths and stories like Christ vs. Satan.
Meta-Truth in Fiction
- Old Testament stories are "meta-true," abstracting essential realities like good fiction.
- They condense events, providing emotional and ethical force exceeding mere recordings.
Sacred Spaces and Stones
- Marking sacred spaces with stones symbolizes memory and permanence due to stone's durability.
- Upright stones indicate centers, with oil representing offerings.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Sibling Rivalry and Divine Connections
04:02 • 18min
The Evolution of Sacrifice and Human Orientation
21:57 • 2min
Exploring the Sacred Center: Walled Cities and Community Dynamics
24:08 • 17min
The Role of Aims in Shaping Perception and Understanding
41:11 • 2min
The Power of Stories in Human Experience
43:17 • 9min
Shamanism and Community Ethics
51:53 • 5min
Engaging with Life's Challenges: The Moral Responsibility of Suffering
56:40 • 2min
Wrestling with Destiny: Jacob's Journey
58:46 • 21min
Reconciliation and Transformation
01:19:48 • 19min
Confronting Fears: A Journey Through Dreams
01:39:10 • 28min
The Effects of Right Parietal Strokes
02:07:38 • 9min
Faith, Identity, and Moral Decision-Making
02:16:47 • 14min
Moral Struggle and the Role of Adversity
02:30:50 • 4min

#26799
How to Build a Mind
Toward Machines with Imagination


Igor Aleksander
In 'How to Build a Mind', Igor Aleksander discusses the potential for creating machines that can think and imagine, delving into the intersection of artificial intelligence and human cognition.
The book explores how machines might be designed to mimic human thought processes, though some readers have noted it doesn't fully deliver on its title's promise.

#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.

#257
• Mentioned in 56 episodes
Thus Spoke Zarathustra


Friedrich Nietzsche


Thomas Common
The book details Zarathustra's descent from his mountain solitude to share his transformative ideas about humanity and existence.
Nietzsche explores themes such as the rejection of traditional moral values, individualism, and the concept of the Overman.
Zarathustra's interactions with various characters reveal his struggle to articulate his vision and confront prevailing societal values.
The book also delves into the existential test of the eternal recurrence of the same and the importance of self-overcoming and personal transformation.

#180
• Mentioned in 73 episodes
Crime and Punishment


Bibliophile Bibliophile Pro


Constance Black Garnett

FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
Published in 1866, 'Crime and Punishment' is a psychological novel set in St. Petersburg, Russia.
It revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished and intellectually gifted former student who formulates a theory that some individuals are morally justified in committing crimes for the greater good of society.
Raskolnikov puts this theory to the test by murdering an old pawnbroker and her half-sister, leading to a profound exploration of his psychological and emotional struggles with guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of his actions.
The novel delves into socio-economic disparities, moral dilemmas, and the psychology of criminals, making it a classic of Russian literature and existential thought.

#5474
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Man Who Was Thursday
A Nightmare

G.K. Chesterton
The novel centers around Gabriel Syme, a poet and undercover detective who infiltrates the Central Anarchist Council by becoming 'Thursday', one of the seven members named after the days of the week.
As the story unfolds, Syme discovers that most council members are also undercover policemen, leading to a surreal chase and a confrontation with the enigmatic leader, Sunday.
The book explores themes of law versus anarchy, social philosophy, and the nature of reality, with Chesterton's characteristic wit and metaphysical insights.

#1444
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
My Stroke of Insight
A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey

Jill Bolte Taylor
On December 10, 1996, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist, suffered a rare form of stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain.
This event led to a complete deterioration of her cognitive functions within four hours, yet she alternated between the logical left brain and the intuitive right brain, experiencing euphoria and a sense of complete well-being.
The book chronicles her eight-year recovery and the profound insights she gained into the brain's functioning and the potential for inner peace.
Taylor's experience has been widely acclaimed, including a viral TED talk and recognition as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2008.

#30
• Mentioned in 197 episodes
12 Rules for Life
An Antidote to Chaos


Jordan B Peterson
In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life.
He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life.
The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).
' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.

#559
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
Beyond Good and Evil
Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future


Friedrich Nietzsche
In 'Beyond Good and Evil', Nietzsche challenges the traditional morality and philosophical thought of his time.
He argues that the Christian world is steeped in a 'slave morality' that demonizes strength and domination, and instead proposes a philosophy that celebrates the present and the individual's 'will to power'.
The book is known for its aphoristic style and its critique of past philosophers for their dogmatic premises.
Nietzsche advocates for a new kind of philosopher who values imagination, self-assertion, and the creation of values, and he introduces the concept of 'perspective of life' which denies a universal morality for all human beings.

#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.
We continue our biblical series with another Jordan B. Peterson lecture. Thanks to our sponsors: https://www.ancestry.com/jordan http://trybasis.com/jordan/
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