

Resolving the Science Religion Problem
Dec 8, 2019
The conflict between science and religion is explored, revealing its cultural implications over centuries. A critical look at ethics and evolution highlights how moral progress often lags behind technological advancements. The importance of play in social dynamics is emphasized, showing how games shape ethics. Complex challenges of free speech and censorship in digital spaces are addressed, along with the need for a balanced discussion on masculinity. Personal resilience stories illustrate the intricate relationship between virtue and pain.
03:29:51
The Science-Religion Conflict
- Jordan Peterson argues that there's a conflict between religion and science, and our technological power surpasses our ethical understanding.
- He suggests that science, emerging from alchemy, brought technological advancement, but its ethical component remains underdeveloped.
The Is-Ought Problem
- Peterson discusses the is-ought problem, highlighting the difficulty of deriving ethics from descriptions of reality.
- He proposes viewing the world as a stage for action, structured by stories, where the setting (the "is") is less important than the drama (the "ought").
Playable vs. Unplayable Games
- Peterson argues that some societal games, like the Soviet system, are inherently degenerating and unsustainable.
- He suggests the West's underlying belief system isn't arbitrary but correct, evidenced by the Soviet Union's collapse.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring the Intricacies of Science and Religion
02:07 • 3min
Ethics and Evolution: Navigating Science and Morality
04:41 • 18min
The Evolution of Knowledge and Social Dynamics
22:49 • 22min
Critiquing Victimhood and Aggression in Modern Society
44:56 • 16min
The Ethics of Play and Social Dynamics
01:01:24 • 24min
Navigating Free Speech and Censorship
01:25:23 • 6min
Exploring Virtue and Pain: A Personal Journey
01:31:33 • 4min
Navigating the Science-Religion Divide
01:35:38 • 39min
The Complexity of Human Existence and Socialization
02:15:02 • 30min
The Power of Reciprocity in Ethics
02:44:43 • 13min
Navigating Censorship and Creativity
02:57:30 • 6min
The Dilemma of Masculinity and Meritocracy
03:03:30 • 11min
The Evolution of Media and Music
03:14:03 • 6min
Embracing Independent Discourse and Audience Engagement
03:20:21 • 7min

#97
• Mentioned in 108 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.

#80
• Mentioned in 121 episodes
Maps of Meaning
The Architecture of Belief


Jordan B Peterson
In 'Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief', Jordan Peterson synthesizes insights from neuropsychology, cognitive science, and Jungian approaches to mythology and narrative.
The book examines why people from different cultures and eras have formulated myths and stories with similar structures, and how these myths reflect fundamental aspects of human cognition and morality.
Peterson argues that the human mind categorizes the world into known and unknown territories, and that myths and religious stories represent the eternal struggle between order and chaos.
He also discusses the role of heroic figures in bridging these two realms and the importance of confronting the unknown to achieve personal and societal growth.
The book is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that aims to make the wisdom of myth accessible to the modern mind.

#57
• Mentioned in 143 episodes
Atlas Shrugged


Ayn Rand
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel.
The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity.
The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work.
A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear.
The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind.
The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.

#2057
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
A treatise of human nature


David Hume
In this influential work, Hume seeks to establish a 'science of man' by applying the experimental method of reasoning, inspired by Isaac Newton's achievements in the physical sciences.
The treatise is divided into three books: 'Of the Understanding', 'Of the Passions', and 'Of Morals'.
Hume argues that human behavior is driven by passions rather than reason, introduces the problem of induction, and defends a sentimentalist account of morality.
He also discusses personal identity and free will from a sceptical and compatibilist perspective.

#30
• Mentioned in 197 episodes
12 Rules for Life
An Antidote to Chaos


Jordan B Peterson
In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life.
He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life.
The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).
' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.

#1087
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
The Moral Landscape
How Science Can Determine Human Values


Sam Harris
In this book, Sam Harris challenges the traditional separation between scientific facts and human values.
He argues that morality can be understood in terms of human and animal well-being, and that science can provide objective answers to moral questions.
Harris contends that moral relativism is false and that science can tell us how we ought to live to achieve the greatest well-being.
He uses his expertise in philosophy and neuroscience to make a case for a science of morality, emphasizing that moral values should be grounded in empirical facts about what causes people to flourish.

#1948
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
Discipline and Punish
The Birth of the Prison


Simon Prebble


mechil foucault

Michel Foucault
Michel Foucault's "Discipline and Punish" is a seminal work in social theory that examines the evolution of punishment and its relationship to power.
Foucault traces the shift from public executions to more subtle forms of disciplinary control in modern societies.
He argues that power operates not only through repression but also through the normalization of behavior.
The book's analysis of surveillance, discipline, and the creation of docile bodies has had a profound impact on various fields, including criminology, sociology, and literary studies.
It remains a crucial text for understanding the workings of power in contemporary society.

#2027
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Neuropsychology of Anxiety
An Enquiry into the Functions of the Septo-Hippocampal System


Jeffrey Alan Gray


Neil McNaughton
This book presents an innovative theory of anxiety, emphasizing the role of the septo-hippocampal system in the brain.
It has been updated to include new insights into anxiety and its relationship with brain function, making it a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians in psychology and neuroscience.

#3360
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Affective neuroscience


Jaak Panskepp

#49950
Primates and Philosophers
How Morality Evolved (The University Center for Human Values Series)

Frans de Waal
In 'Primates and Philosophers,' Frans de Waal argues that modern evolutionary biology often portrays nature too negatively, emphasizing 'selfish' genes.
He challenges 'Veneer Theory,' which suggests morality is a thin overlay on an otherwise nasty nature, by highlighting the continuity between human and animal behavior.
The book includes responses from philosophers Peter Singer, Christine M. Korsgaard, and Philip Kitcher, and science writer Robert Wright, fostering a lively debate on the origins of human morality.

#
Evidence as to man's place in nature

Thomas Henry Huxley
Published in 1863, *Evidence as to Man's Place in Nature* by Thomas Henry Huxley was the first book to focus on human evolution.
It presents anatomical and other evidence supporting the idea that humans and apes share a common ancestor, making it a foundational work in the field of evolutionary biology.
The book was influential in popularizing the theory of evolution among a broader audience.

#
The moral judgment of the child

Jean Piaget


Marjorie Gabain
In 'The Moral Judgment of the Child', Jean Piaget examines how children develop moral concepts, such as lying, cheating, and responsibility, through observations and conversations with children.
The book highlights the transition from a morality based on constraint to one based on cooperation and reciprocity.
Piaget's research provides valuable insights into children's moral development and its implications for understanding moral judgment.
Resolving the Science Religion Problem is a 12 Rules for Life lecture by Jordan B. Peterson from January 2019. Thanks to our sponsors: https://eero.com/jordan http://trybasis.com/jordan/ https://helixsleep.com/jordan https://www.ancestry.com/jordan
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