The novel, set in the fictional town of Deptford, Ontario, follows the life of Dunstan Ramsey, a history teacher who writes a letter to his former headmaster to set the record straight about his life. Ramsey describes himself as 'fifth business', a term from classical drama referring to a character who is neither hero nor villain but essential to the plot. The story delves into themes of fate, faith, guilt, redemption, jealousy, and love, and explores the complex relationships between Ramsey, his childhood friend Boy Staunton, and the enigmatic Mrs. Mary Dempster. The novel is praised for its psychological and intellectual depth, elegant writing, and narrative force[1][3][5].
Roger Zelazny's "Lord of Light" is a science fantasy novel that reimagines Hindu mythology in a futuristic setting. The story follows a group of immortal beings who have colonized a planet and established a society based on their interpretations of ancient scriptures. The novel explores themes of power, religion, and the nature of immortality. Zelazny's writing style is characterized by its wit, intelligence, and philosophical depth. The book is considered a significant work in the science fantasy genre, appreciated for its imaginative world-building and exploration of complex themes.
Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha" is a philosophical novel that follows the spiritual journey of a young man named Siddhartha Gautama. The story explores themes of self-discovery, enlightenment, and the search for meaning beyond material possessions. Siddhartha's experiences with various aspects of life, including sensuality, asceticism, and worldly pursuits, lead him to a deeper understanding of himself and the universe. The novel's evocative prose and profound insights into the human condition have resonated with readers for generations. Hesse's exploration of spiritual awakening and the interconnectedness of all things makes "Siddhartha" a timeless classic.
In "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," John Vervaeke explores the pervasive sense of meaninglessness in modern society. He delves into the cognitive and philosophical roots of this crisis, examining how our understanding of the world contributes to feelings of emptiness and disconnection. Vervaeke offers a framework for understanding meaning, proposing that it's not a singular entity but a multifaceted concept encompassing purpose, significance, and mattering. He challenges readers to re-evaluate their values and find meaning in their lives through self-reflection and engagement with the world. The book provides a blend of philosophical insights and scientific research, offering a comprehensive approach to navigating the meaning crisis.
Is the Western world in the midst of a crisis of meaning? If so, how did we get here, and what can we do about it? What should we be thinking about as we develop artificial intelligence? These are just a few of the many questions I dive into with my guest this week, John Vervaeke.
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John Vervaeke is an associate professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto. John researches and publishes on the nature of intelligence, rationality, wisdom, and meaning in life, emphasizing relevance realization, non-propositional kinds of knowing, and 4E cognitive science.
A few years ago, deep in the pandemic, I encountered a YouTube series called “Awakening from the Meaning Crisis,” by a professor in Toronto who I’d never heard of. Like so many, I was reeling from the Trump years and the sense of precarity wrought by the pandemic—not just its impact on global infrastructure, but in how it laid bare the social alienation, animosity, breakdown of consensus, and deep traumas of the modern condition. So it’s not surprising that I decided to watch the first episode.
If you’ve also watched this series, you know how this story goes. Some 50 odd hours later, I’d consumed a profound exegesis on how to genuinely live a life full of meaning—and that professor who I’d never heard of, John Vervaeke, had become (parasocially) a favorite professor. It would be a fool’s errand to try to capture the wealth of integrated philosophy, evolutionary neuroscience, consciousness studies, spiritual exploration, and general provocations about reality that you’ll find in the series, though of course I recommend you watch it. Or better yet, buy the new book of the same name—based on the series but extending it, thanks to deeper reflections by John and his coauthor Christopher Mastropietro, who John claims is an even more gifted storyteller than he is.
Grab your copy of the 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' book here.
CREDITS: This podcast is edited and produced by Adam Labrie and me, Jesse Damiani. Adam Labrie also directed, shot, and edited the video version of the podcast, which is available on YouTube. The podcast is presented by Reality Studies. If you appreciate the work I’m doing, please subscribe and share it with someone you think would enjoy it.
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Urgent Futures with Jesse Damiani 
