Parker's Pensées Ep. 62 - Utopia, Dystopia, and Non-cognitive Solutions w/Dr. Owen Anderson
Feb 5, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Owen Anderson, a philosophy and religion professor at Arizona State University, tackles the themes of utopia and dystopia through the lens of classic literature. He examines the intricate connections between language, societal control, and personal agency, referencing novels like '1984' and 'Brave New World'. The conversation also delves into the role of spirituality and skepticism in a dystopian framework, emphasizing the risks of embracing non-cognitive experiences over deeper existential inquiries. A thought-provoking exploration of knowledge, virtue, and modern realities awaits!
01:44:16
Jujitsu As Physical Philosophy
- Owen and Parker compare jujitsu to philosophy as a 'physical chess' that trains humility and anticipation.
- Owen recounts Gracie-style street combatives that exhaust opponents and prioritize safety over violence.
Utopia Tied To Human Nature
- Owen defines utopia by asking what a good society is and ties it to objective human nature.
- He argues we must know 'what is good for a human' by discovering human nature rather than inventing it.
Control By Rewriting Reality
- In 1984 the party seeks to tear minds apart and rebuild them, denying external reality and shaping truth.
- Owen links this to the Eden temptation: humans try to become God by redefining natures and words.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Utopia and Jiu-Jitsu: A Path to Harmony
01:35 • 13min
From Garden to City: Exploring Utopia and Dominion
14:14 • 2min
Dystopian Reflections: Language and Reality
16:12 • 15min
The Dark Art of Manipulation
31:38 • 19min
Exploring Spirituality and Skepticism in a Dystopian Lens
50:39 • 2min
Dystopia and Dehumanization: Literature's Reflection on Society
52:40 • 15min
Reflections on Literature and Contemporary Culture
01:08:04 • 2min
Exploring Truth: Subjectivism and Objective Reality
01:09:39 • 11min
Exploring Theological Interpretations and Culpable Ignorance
01:21:01 • 2min
Philosophy and Dystopia: A Critical Reflection
01:22:51 • 4min
Navigating Truth, Meaning, and Authority
01:26:43 • 18min
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Negations
Herbert Marcuse
#983
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Doors of Perception
Aldous Huxley
In this book, Huxley recounts his first psychedelic experience with mescaline in May 1953.
He describes how the drug altered his perception of the world, making ordinary objects and experiences take on profound aesthetic and philosophical significance.
Huxley draws on various philosophical and spiritual traditions, including those of William Blake, Meister Eckhart, Plato, and Buddhism, to contextualize his insights.
The book challenges conventional views on perception and reality, suggesting that certain substances can reveal deeper aspects of existence that are normally filtered out by the human brain's 'reducing valve'
#420
• Mentioned in 46 episodes
Enlightenment Now
Steven Pinker
In 'Enlightenment Now', Steven Pinker presents a comprehensive argument that the values of the Enlightenment—reason, science, and humanism—have been instrumental in the progress of human society.
He challenges the prevailing pessimism in modern discourse by presenting empirical evidence that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise globally.
Pinker uses data and graphs to illustrate improvements in various aspects of human life, such as increased life expectancy, reduced child and maternal mortality, and advancements in medicine and technology.
He also addresses the psychological biases that lead people to underestimate these improvements and emphasizes the importance of continuing to uphold Enlightenment ideals to ensure further progress.
#110
• Mentioned in 113 episodes
The Gulag Archipelago
An Experiment in Literary Investigation
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation.
The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners.
It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners.
The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population.
#130
• Mentioned in 104 episodes
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
Neil Postman
In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'.
Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion.
He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.
#124
• Mentioned in 106 episodes
Animal Farm
George Orwell
Published in 1945, 'Animal Farm' is a novella that allegorically represents the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism.
The story begins with Old Major, a boar, inspiring the animals of Manor Farm to rebel against their human oppressor, Mr. Jones.
After the rebellion, the animals rename the farm 'Animal Farm' and establish a utopian society based on the principles of equality and solidarity, known as Animalism.
However, as time passes, the pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, consolidate power and gradually corrupt the original ideals, leading to a dystopian regime that mirrors the oppressive human rule they initially rebelled against.
The novel critiques totalitarianism and the corrupting nature of power, reflecting Orwell's experiences and views on the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule.
#3221
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" offers a stark and unforgettable portrayal of life in a Soviet labor camp.
Through the eyes of Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, the novel depicts the harsh realities of daily existence under Stalinist oppression.
Solzhenitsyn's masterful use of detail creates a vivid and immersive experience, allowing readers to feel the cold, the hunger, and the constant threat of violence.
The novel's power lies in its unflinching honesty and its ability to evoke empathy for the suffering of its protagonist.
Despite the grim setting, the story also reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for hope even in the face of unimaginable hardship.
#1628
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Philip K. Dick
Published in 1968, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
' is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco after a nuclear war.
The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with 'retiring' six escaped Nexus-6 androids.
The novel delves into profound philosophical questions about the nature of life, empathy, and what defines humanity.
It also introduces the concept of Mercerism, a religion that emphasizes empathy and compassion.
The book is known for its complex characters, including Deckard's moral dilemmas and the ambiguous line between human and android, which has been a significant influence on science fiction and popular culture, including the film 'Blade Runner'.
#189
• Mentioned in 77 episodes
Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.
#656
• Mentioned in 33 episodes
That Hideous Strength
C. S. Lewis
Published in 1945, 'That Hideous Strength' is the final book in C.S.
Lewis's Space Trilogy.
The story takes place on Earth and follows the character Mark Studdock, a young sociology faculty member at Bracton College, as he becomes entangled with the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments (N.
I. C. E. ), a sinister organization with totalitarian ambitions.
The novel delves into themes of faith, doubt, and the struggle between good and evil, featuring characters from the previous books in the trilogy, including Elwin Ransom.
It critiques the dangers of logical positivism and the erosion of moral values, drawing parallels with other dystopian works like George Orwell's '1984'.
#1
• Mentioned in 1,052 episodes
1984
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
#60
• Mentioned in 155 episodes
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy.
The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom.
The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State.
The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.
In this episode of the Parker's Pensées Podcast, I'm joined once again by professor of philosophy and religion, Dr. Owen Anderson. This time we discuss three of the most preachy dystopian novels of the 20th century. Dr. Anderson argues that each book ends up giving a non-cognitive answer to the problem of dystopia and I give him some push back, but end up agreeing with him. Let us know what you think in the comments. Check out his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTBT9eZLXj5Ddbqs8jt-Clw If you like this podcast, then support it on Patreon for $1, $3, or $5 a month. Any amount helps, and for $5 you get a Parker's Pensées sticker and instant access to all the episode as I record them instead of waiting for their release date. Check it out here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parkers_pensees If you want to give a one-time gift, you can give at my Paypal: https://paypal.me/ParkersPensees?locale.x=en_US Check out my merchandise at my Teespring store: https://teespring.com/stores/parkers-penses-merch Check out my blog posts: https://parkersettecase.com/ Check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbTRurpFP5q4TpDD_P2JDA Check me out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trendsettercase Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkers_pensees/
Time Is Running by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6203-time-is-running