255. Purpose with Samuel Wilkinson (Part 1)

11 snips

Dec 14, 2023

In this enlightening discussion, Samuel Wilkinson, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale, challenges the notion of a purposeless existence. He explores convergent evolution, illustrating how diverse species independently developed similar traits, like flight. Delving into the evolution of the eye, he uncovers patterns that suggest a guiding order in randomness. Wilkinson reflects on how our understanding of evolution impacts our lives and relationships, inviting listeners to seek deeper meaning in the chaos of existence.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Wilkinson's Path to Medicine

Samuel Wilkinson, now a Yale professor, studied engineering before medicine.
His path changed after conversations with a mentor and his brother.

INSIGHT

Initial Struggle with Evolution

Wilkinson's initial struggle with evolution stemmed from the perceived randomness and implications for human nature.
He questioned the idea that life is meaningless due to being a series of accidents.

INSIGHT

Darwin's Shifting Views

Darwin's views on a creator shifted over time, potentially influenced by societal pressures.
Later developments suggest higher-order principles in evolution beyond randomness.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

All Joy and No Fun

Jennifer Senior

Fooled by randomness

the hidden role of chance in life and in the markets

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

In 'Fooled by Randomness', Nassim Nicholas Taleb discusses the pervasive influence of chance and randomness in our lives and financial markets. The book argues that humans tend to underestimate the role of luck and overestimate the role of skill, leading to biases such as hindsight bias, survivorship bias, and the narrative fallacy. Taleb emphasizes the importance of recognizing and coping with uncertainty, and he critiques the tendency to seek deterministic explanations for random events. The book is part of Taleb's Incerto series, which also includes 'The Black Swan', 'The Bed of Procrustes', 'Antifragile', and 'Skin in the Game'.

On the Origin of Species

Charles Darwin

Published on November 24, 1859, 'On the Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin is a seminal work in scientific literature. The book presents a comprehensive theory of evolution, arguing that species evolve over generations through the process of natural selection. Darwin supported his theory with evidence collected during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, as well as from subsequent research, correspondence, and experimentation. The book addresses the struggle for existence, the variability of species, and the principle of divergence, explaining how natural selection leads to the adaptation and diversification of life on Earth. It has been a cornerstone of evolutionary biology and has had significant impacts on both scientific and public discourse[2][4][5].

On Purpose

Tanya Dalton

In *On Purpose*, Tanya Dalton helps women carve out time to pause, reflect on their feelings, and adjust their mindset to discover what drives their daily choices. The book combines cutting-edge research, thought-provoking infographics, and candid stories to guide readers through innovative exercises. These exercises help readers create a map to their ideal future, move through life with confidence, turn obstacles into opportunities, unpack common self-lies, and live a more fulfilling life. Dalton emphasizes the importance of living intentionally and making choices that align with one's true purpose and values.

When medical student turned author, Samuel Wilkinson, challenged the common misconception of evolution suggesting a purposeless existence, it sparked a profound conversation that I am thrilled to share with you. This episode takes us through the riveting terrain of evolutionary biology. We delve into the phenomenon of convergent evolution, our conversations meandering down the fascinating lanes of how birds, bats, and butterflies have independently developed the ability to fly and how dolphins and sharks share a streamlined body shape. As we unpack the mysteries around the evolution of the eye, we encounter the intriguing pattern and order that seem to guide these evolutionary processes - an order that's akin to invisible forces directing a compass. We also navigate the intriguing intersection of randomness and order in evolution. Drawing from everyday examples, we question the belief that all is driven by randomness. We reflect on how random mutations can still result in a pattern and the importance of duality in principles. Moreover, we contemplate the implications of this perspective on our lives and relationships. You wouldn't want to miss this thought-provoking exploration, where we invite you to challenge your assumptions, unravel the intricacies of evolution, and perhaps, discover a deeper meaning in your existence.

Samuel Wilkinson is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Yale Depression Research Program. Dr. Wilkinson received his B.S. in mechanical engineering, summa cum laude, from Brigham Young University and later his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Yale, where he joined the faculty following his post-graduate medical training. His primary research has focused on depression and suicide prevention and has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.