Ep 75 | UTOKing with Bonnitta Roy | Exploring Process Relations
Jan 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Bonnitta Roy, an expert in process relational philosophy, engages in a thought-provoking conversation about the intricacies of internal and external relations, asymmetry within these relations, and their connection to broader metaphysical and philosophical contexts. The podcast explores topics such as compositional relations, expanded perception with psychedelics, metabolization, the concept of God, and communication networks. The discussion also delves into the concept of languaging and its relationship to understanding and behavior.
Process relations involve both internal and external relations, with internal relations centered on subjectivity and external relations highlighting the antecedents and descendants of an entity.
Compositional reductionism recognizes the role of multiple components and factors in an entity's existence, challenging simplistic causal explanations. The concept of downward causation and the need for a metaphysics accounting for vertical stratification are explored.
The metaphysical principle of latent potentials and the asymmetrical relationship between matter and life provide insight into diverse religious experiences and the interplay of apoco and individuality.
Deep dives
Topological View of Process Relations
The podcast episode discusses the topology of process relations, focusing on the concepts of internal and external relations. Internal relations are characterized by the ingression of subjectivity into one's own self during interactions with others. This has implications for morality and social systems. External relations, on the other hand, involve the antecedents and descendants of an entity, where past events become internally related to future ones. These relations exhibit an asymmetry and mutual dependence. Compositional internal relations are also explored, where realizers become internally related to a higher compound individual. This compositionally stratified reality is observed in multiple scales and dimensions. Overall, the episode presents a comprehensive view of process relations and how they shape our understanding of the world.
Reductionism and Emergence
The podcast delves into the topic of reductionism and emergence, drawing insights from the work of Carl Gillett. It emphasizes the difference between compositional reductionism and scientific physicalism, highlighting how compositional internal relations are not causal in nature. Compositional reductionism acknowledges the role of various components and factors in an entity's existence, rather than reducing it to a single cause. The discussion also touches on the concept of downward causation, where higher-level realizers confer productive powers to a compound individual. Additionally, the episode explores the idea of emergence and the need for a metaphysics that accounts for the vertical stratification of reality.
The Metaphysics of God and Latent Potentials
The episode delves into the metaphysical aspects of God and latent potentials. Latent potential is described as the state before existence, where God is internally related only to himself. The discussion challenges the notion of supersymmetry and proposes alternative interpretations of the singularity and symmetry breaking in cosmology. The metaphysical principle of latent potentials is presented as a background field that subsists in creation, influencing the unfolding of reality. The episode highlights the asymmetrical relationship between matter and life, as well as the interplay of apoco and individuality in the process of becoming. The concept of God as latent potential serves as a foundation for understanding diverse religious experiences and perspectives.
Exploring the nature of reality
The podcast episode delves into the concept of compositional relations and the idea that everything in the world is interconnected. The speaker emphasizes that reality is not made up of separate substances but rather a hierarchical structure of internal relations. They argue against the notion of downward causation, stating that our cells are not controlled by us but rather part of a continuous process of composition. They also discuss the role of perception and how certain substances, such as psychedelics, can enhance our ability to perceive the beauty and interconnectedness of the world.
The role of communication and epistemic framing
The podcast episode touches on the significance of communication in expanding our perception and creating new organs of perception. The speakers highlight the importance of epistemic framings, which are representations of others, in shaping our understanding of the world and influencing our behavior. They argue that novel communication networks and epistemic framings have a causal impact and can drive different actions and responses. Additionally, they discuss the limitations of reductionism and the need to move beyond simplistic notions of causality to better comprehend the complexity and interplay of compositional relations.
In this episode we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Bonnitta Roy about the complexities of process relational philosophy. Our discussion centers around the intricacies of internal and external relations, their various types, meanings, and the concept of asymmetry within these relations. Bonnitta Roy provides an in-depth analysis, connecting these ideas to broader metaphysical and philosophical contexts. Gregg Henriques, contributes his insights by relating these philosophical concepts to the UTOK framework, particularly focusing on behavior as an epistemic mapper. This episode promises a deep dive into the nature of existence, perception, and the relational structure of reality, offering both clarity and new perspectives for enthusiasts and scholars alike. Join us for this enlightening journey through the realms of process relations and philosophical exploration.