TRIGGERnometry Why We Have a Crisis of Meaning - Stephen Blackwood
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Sep 22, 2024 
Stephen Blackwood, the founding President of Ralston College and expert in Classics and Religion, dives deep into the modern crisis of meaning. He discusses how disconnection from core values like family and beauty fosters nihilism. Urbanization's impact on behavior is compared to that of caged animals, highlighting the need for self-sacrifice and purpose. Blackwood stresses the significance of aesthetics in shaping our lives and relationships, and advocates for a greater understanding of Western civilization's foundational values in the pursuit of fulfillment.
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Meaning Crisis
- The meaning crisis stems from feeling alienated from things that make life worth living.
- Meaning must transcend the individual; it can't be self-generated.
Religion and Meaning
- Religion connects people to the transcendent through stories and images.
- Loss of religion is a symptom and cause of meaning crisis.
Wendell Berry on Meaningful Work
- Wendell Berry noted that meaningful work involves both craftsmanship and a larger purpose.
- Carving a stone is both hitting a rock and building a cathedral.