Dr. John Vervaeke Ep. 22 - Awakening from the Meaning Crisis - Descartes vs. Hobbes
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Apr 3, 2023 Dive into the captivating debates of the scientific revolution with Descartes, Hobbes, and Pascal. Their contrasting views on consciousness challenge our understanding of intelligence and modern self-awareness. Explore the complexities of artificial intelligence and its philosophical implications. The discussion extends to the mind-body relationship, emphasizing the limitations of empirical knowledge. Lastly, it calls for a revival of transformative practices to address the spiritual void in today's world.
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Isolated Mind
- The isolated individual mind is a shared concept in both Luther's and Descartes' philosophies.
- Luther emphasizes conscience while Descartes focuses on consciousness.
Artificial Intelligence and the Meaning Crisis
- Hobbes proposed that if cognition is computation and matter is real, then artificial intelligence is possible.
- This idea contributes to the meaning crisis by questioning the existence of the soul.
Descartes' Rejection of Materialism
- Descartes rejects Hobbes' materialism not solely for religious reasons, but due to core scientific principles.
- Descartes believes that reasoning involves purpose, meaning, and normativity, which are absent in the scientific view of matter.