The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma
Ep 300: The Gentle Wisdom of Pratap Bhanu Mehta
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Understanding the complexities of rationality and modern civilization challenges.
- The significance of traditional political engagement in fostering comfort and mobilization.
- Impact of media as a decontextualizing machine on human connections and empathy.
- The need to embrace concrete interactions in a digitally distracted world.
- Discussing the concept of self and the importance of self-reflection in personal growth.
- Analyzing the challenges posed by nationalism and inclusive governance processes.
Deep dives
Evolution of the Podcast
The podcast began as an experimental venture almost six years ago, evolving from brief glimpses of public policy to in-depth conversations and historical oral narratives. The host recognizes the audience's interest in profound discussions over time, leading to deeper engagement and continuous support from listeners.
Guest Conversation with Pratap Bhanu Mehta
In episode 300, the host welcomed Pratap Bhanu Mehta, highlighting his intellectual influence and the depth he brings to various subjects. The conversation delved into personal, political, and global shifts, emphasizing insightful discussions and the importance of learning from different perspectives and ongoing societal changes.
Challenges in Modern Civilization and Reflections on Reason
The episode delved into the complexities of rationality and challenges in modern civilization, including the inability to shape desires within the confines of capitalism. It explored the profound impact of reason and the intricacies of human behavior influenced by fears, institutional designs, and evolving communication structures, leading to discussions on navigating societal polarization, institutional adaptability, and the complexities of human reasoning.
Influence of Old-Fashioned Politics on Mobilizing Identities
Old-fashioned politics plays a crucial role in mobilizing identities, emphasizing the significance of traditional political engagement in fostering comfort and mobilization. The podcast delves into how the presence of a centrist platform in India lacked the necessary appeal to make people at ease and rally behind shared identities.
Decontextualization by Media and Its Impact on Empathy
The podcast highlights how media functions as a decontextualizing machine, leading to misinterpretation and reduced empathy among individuals. It underscores the importance of assuming goodwill and engaging in good faith interactions to combat the negative effects of decontextualization on human connections.
Striving for Concrete Engagement in a Digitally Abstract World
Reflecting on the trend towards abstract living, the podcast contemplates the need to embrace concrete interactions and human connections in a world increasingly immersed in digital distractions. It raises questions on reversing this trend to foster deeper engagements and meaningful relationships in a society often consumed by fleeting abstractions.
Diverse Perspectives on the Notion of the Self
Exploring the complexities of the concept of self, the podcast delves into various viewpoints regarding the existence of the self. It discusses how different contexts, including community relationships and societal structures, contribute to shaping our sense of self. While some argue for the dissolution of the self, the episode emphasizes the significance of understanding the multifaceted nature of the self in different contexts.
Cultivating Self-Reflection and Awareness
The episode highlights the importance of self-reflection and introspection in personal growth. It narrates a personal anecdote where utilizing a continuous glucose monitor led to significant lifestyle changes. The speaker ponders on the idea of a 'self-reflection machine' to enhance self-awareness. The conversation explores the metrics and questions individuals should consider to foster self-reflection.
Challenges of Nationalism and Ideological Exhaustion
Addressing the challenges posed by nationalism and ideological fatigue, the discussion analyzes the complexities of nation-state governance and power-sharing arrangements. It delves into the historical context of power dynamics within democracies, emphasizing the need for inclusive political processes. Additionally, it reflects on the implications of centralization versus decentralization in governance and the evolving nature of nationalist ideologies in modern societies.
The Importance of Building State Capacity in Indian Politics
Politicians in India are attuned to reality and have been expanding state capacity significantly, improving infrastructure, implementing social welfare schemes, and enhancing governance structures. The engagement with reality by politicians differs in terms of perception and focus, emphasizing the achievement and impact of state capacity.
Influences and Habits of an Avid Reader
The guest enjoys reading classical Western music and Hindi fiction, notably the Hillary-Mantel trilogy and Hindi literature, including works by Premchand. Expanding interests in global political thought, including Chinese and Islamic political philosophy, have enriched the guest's lateral reading and perspective.
Music Recommendations from the Berlin Philharmonic
The Berlin Philharmonic offers online performances and shorter musical pieces, providing an opportunity to explore classical music compositions by renowned artists. Recommendations include engaging with symphonies and orchestral works for a diverse musical experience.
Our selves are nebulous, the world is complex and the times they are a-changin'. Pratap Bhanu Mehta joins Amit Varma in episode 300 of The Seen and the Unseen for a freewheeling chat about how to make sense of all of this. (For full linked show notes, go to SeenUnseen.in.) Also check out: 1. The Hunter Becomes the Hunted -- Episode 200 of The Seen and the Unseen, where Amit Varma answers questions from his guests. 2. Pratap Bhanu Mehta on Twitter, Amazon and the Indian Express. 3. What Have We Done With Our Independence? -- Episode 186 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Pratap Bhanu Mehta). 4. Self-Esteem (and a Puddle) — Amit Varma’s post with Douglas Adams’s puddle quote. 5. The End of History? — Francis Fukuyama’s essay. 6. The End of History and the Last Man — Francis Fukuyama’s book. 7. Francis Fukuyama on Amazon. 8. Ideas of India: The Theory of Moral Sentiments -- Pratap Bhanu Mehta discusses Adam Smith with Shruti Rajagopalan. 9. Conversation and Society -- Russ Roberts discusses Adam Smith with Amit Varma in episode 182 of The Seen and the Unseen. 10. Human — Michael S Gazzaniga. 11. The Interpreter — Amit Varma. 12. Free Will on Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 13. Free Will — Sam Harris. 14. Immanuel Kant on Amazon, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 15. The Median Voter Theorem. 16. 'Thinking and Reflecting' and 'The Thinking of Thoughts': Gilbert Ryle's essays on 'thick description' and Winks vs Twitches, also found in Collected Essays. 17. Thick Description: Towards an Interpretive Theory of Culture -- Clifford Geertz. 18. Fighting Fake News -- Episode 133 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Pratik Sinha). 19. The Greater India Experiment: Hindutva and the Northeast -- Arkotong Longkumer. 20. Memories and Things -- Episode 195 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Aanchal Malhotra). 21. Remnants of a Separation — Aanchal Malhotra. 22. Don’t think too much of yourself. You’re an accident -- Amit Varma's column on Chris Cornell's death. 23. Alice Evans Studies the Great Gender Divergence -- Episode 297 of The Seen and the Unseen. 24. Scientism. 25. Ludwig Wittgenstein on Amazon, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 26. Wanting — Luke Burgis. 27. René Girard on Amazon and Wikipedia. 28. Jean-Jacques Rousseau on Amazon, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 29. A Meditation on Form -- Amit Varma. 30. Agarkar’s Donkeys: A Meditation on God -- Amit Varma. 31. Faust, as portrayed by Christopher Marlowe and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. 32. The Measure of a Man -- Episode 9, Season 2, Star Trek: The Next Generation (Wikipedia entry). 33. Ex Machina -- Alex Garland. 34. Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy -- David Chalmers. 35. Yoga Vasistha. 36. On a Certain Blindness in Human Beings -- William James. 37. Capitalism and Freedom -- Milton Friedman. 38. The Experience Machine -- Robert Nozick. (Wikipedia entry.) 39. Utilitarianism: For and Against -- JJC Smart and Bernard Williams. 40. Reasons and Persons -- Derek Parfit. 41. Episode of The Seen and the Unseen with Ajay Shah: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 42. Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy -- Bernard Williams. 43. Bernard Williams on Amazon, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 44. India’s Greatest Civil Servant -- Episode 167 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Narayani Basu, on VP Menon). 45. A Life in Indian Politics -- Episode 149 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Jayaprakash Narayan). 46. Friedrich Hayek on Amazon, Econlib, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 47. The Dark Side of Democracy -- Michael Mann. 48. Jayaprakash Narayan on proportional representation. 49. Pakistan or the Partition of India — BR Ambedkar. 50. Don’t Insult Pasta (2007) — Amit Varma. 51. Manish Sisodia invokes ‘Rajput’ caste amidst CBI probe -- Janta Ka Reporter. 52. Caste, Capitalism and Chandra Bhan Prasad -- Episode 296 of The Seen and the Unseen. 53. Defying the Odds: The Rise of Dalit Entrepreneurs — Devesh Kapur, D Shyam Babu and Chandra Bhan Prasad. 54. Beware of Half Victories -- Pratap Bhanu Mehta. 55. Hussain Haidry, Hindustani Musalmaan -- Episode 275 of The Seen and the Unseen. 56. Carl Schmitt on Amazon, Wikipedia, Britannica and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 57. Raghu Sanjaylal Jaitley’s Father’s Scooter -- Episode 214 of The Seen and the Unseen. 58. Justin Amash on why he left the Republican Party. 59. Kashi Ka Assi — Kashinath Singh. 60. Rational Ignorance. 61. The Economics of Voting — Amit Varma on Rational Ignorance. 62. Karthik Muralidharan Examines the Indian State -- Episode 290 of The Seen and the Unseen. 63. Lessons from an Ankhon Dekhi Prime Minister -- Amit Varma on the importance of reading. 64. John Aubrey's biography of Thomas Hobbes. 65. Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, George Frideric Handel and Felix Mendelssohn on Spotify. 66. Digital Concert Hall -- Berliner Philharmoniker. 67. Berliner Philharmoniker on YouTube, Twitter and their own website. 68. Nikhil Banerjee on Spotify, YouTube and Wikipedia. 69. Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies and The Mirror and the Light -- The Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel. 70. The World of Premchand: Selected Short Stories — Munshi Premchand (translated and with an introduction by David Rubin). 71. Premchand’s Kazaki And Other Marvellous Tales — Munshi Premchand (translated and with an introduction by Sara Rai). 72. Sara Rai Inhales Literature -- Episode 255 of The Seen and the Unseen. 73. Yeh Premchand Hai -- Apoorvanand. This episode is sponsored by CTQ Compounds. Check out The Daily Reader and FutureStack. Use the code UNSEEN for Rs 2500 off. Check out Amit’s online course, The Art of Clear Writing. And subscribe to The India Uncut Newsletter. It’s free! Episode art: ‘Radiant Knowledge’ by Simahina.
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