Robert Lawrence Kuhn on Truth, Faith, Idealism, and God
May 10, 2021
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In this engaging conversation, Robert Lawrence Kuhn, creator of Closer to Truth and a neuroscience expert, dives deep into the nature of truth, faith, and logic. He discusses the differences between Eastern and Western approaches to understanding reality and consciousness. Kuhn shares insights on preparing for interviews with leading thinkers and the excitement of exploring scientific breakthroughs. The discussion unfolds the complexities of belief systems and emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in the quest for understanding.
Truth can be pursued through engaging conversations and thought-provoking discussions.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn is excited about future projects focusing on global philosophy of religion and the diverse ideas within Eastern traditions.
Kuhn emphasizes his desire to engage deeply with interviewees' ideas and continually expand his knowledge on the topics at hand.
Consciousness may require something beyond the physical world, as highlighted by the ontological argument for God's existence.
Understanding different belief systems and questioning our own assumptions can lead to broader perspectives and insights into how different people think.
Deep dives
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Exploring the Nature of Truth
In this podcast episode, Robert Lawrence Kuhn engages in a deep dive into the concept of truth. He examines how truth can be defined and explores its relationship to faith, logic, and God. The episode delves into the nature of truth and how it can be pursued. Through engaging conversations and thought-provoking discussions, Kuhn explores the complexities of truth and its various interpretations.
Looking Towards the Future of Closer to Truth
Robert Lawrence Kuhn discusses the future plans for the show 'Closer to Truth.' He reveals upcoming episodes and series focusing on scientific breakthroughs in physics and biology. He also mentions future projects that aim to expand the show's coverage to include global philosophy of religion and the diverse ideas within Eastern traditions. Kuhn shares his excitement for these new ventures and expresses his dedication to continuously learning and exploring the profound questions addressed in 'Closer to Truth.'
Reflecting on the Interview Process
Robert Lawrence Kuhn provides insights into his approach as an interviewer. He emphasizes his desire to engage deeply with the ideas discussed and to learn alongside the audience. Kuhn discusses his preparation process, which involves thoroughly studying the interviewee's papers and formulating a structure for the conversation. He also describes his cautious avoidance of dwelling on past interviews and his focus on continually looking towards the future and expanding his knowledge on the topics at hand.
Perspectives on God's Existence
In this podcast episode, the host explores the ontological argument for God's existence, which suggests that if a maximal God exists in one possible world, then God must exist in all possible worlds. While the argument is seen as a logical trap by some, it highlights the idea that consciousness may require something beyond the physical world. The podcast also discusses the importance of understanding different belief systems and the ambiguous nature of the universe when it comes to questions about God's existence. Although smart and knowledgeable individuals may come to opposite conclusions about God, this diversity of perspectives enriches our understanding of the complexities of these questions.
The Paradox of Faith
The podcast delves into the concept of faith and its relationship to belief. While faith is often associated with religious beliefs, it is viewed differently by individuals. Some see it as a virtue, while others do not possess faith. The importance of understanding different belief systems and acknowledging the distinctions between scientific methods and scientific ways of thinking is discussed. The podcast emphasizes the need for logical flow in arguments and recognizes the role of faith and experiential knowledge in shaping individual perspectives.
Contrasting Views on Physicalism and Idealism
The podcast explores the contrasting viewpoints of physicalism and idealism. While physicalism considers the scientific method as a means to understand the physical world, idealism argues for the primacy of consciousness and questions the limitations of scientific methods in accessing truths beyond the physical realm. The podcast highlights the presence of diverse and deeply held convictions, where highly intelligent individuals can draw radically different conclusions from the same set of external data. This highlights the inherent complexity and ambiguity of questions related to the nature of reality, consciousness, and the existence of God.
Belief systems and the concept of faith
Belief systems are an integral part of human mentality and how we deal with the world. These belief systems are shaped by personal experiences and cultural influences. Faith, often associated with religious beliefs, can be seen as a specific subset of belief systems. It represents a deep inner feeling and an acceptance of certain beliefs without the need for concrete evidence. While some argue that faith in a traditional sense is irrational, others view it as a way to find meaning and purpose. Understanding the nature of belief systems and questioning our own assumptions can lead to broader perspectives and insights into how different people think.
The Mystery of Existence and the Big Questions
The question of why anything exists at all is a fundamental philosophical inquiry. It is the primary question underlying all other questions about the nature of reality. Despite its complexity, this question has fascinated human beings throughout history. Exploring the mystery of existence involves contemplating concepts such as nothingness, the nature of consciousness, and the possibility of life after death. Different perspectives, from materialism to idealism, offer diverse explanations and implications for understanding the existence of the universe and the potential for an afterlife. Delving into these topics can lead to profound insights about the nature of reality and our place within it.
Patreon for conversations on Theories of Everything, Consciousness, Free Will, and God: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal Help support conversations like this via PayPal: https://bit.ly/2EOR0M4 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802 Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything
LINKS MENTIONED: -Closer To Truth (Robert Kuhn's channel): https://www.youtube.com/user/CloserToTruth1
LINK NOT MENTIONED BUT INFORMATIVE AND PERTINENT:
TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:41 Why is Robert doing more interviews? 00:08:19 Soon to focus on Eastern modes of "knowing" and philosophies 00:18:40 The difference between the East and West in approach to answers / truth 00:22:46 Venerating verification puts you at odds with studying consciousness 00:26:24 How Robert prepares for each interview 00:30:33 Dealing with people emailing their Theories to you 00:42:33 Defining "truth" 00:46:20 Can one get closer to truth without knowing what truth is? 00:52:30 How to improve as an interviewer 00:55:47 Factors to weigh when conducting an edifying and entertaining interview 01:00:31 Which "logic" is correct? (classical v. intuitionist v. fuzzy v. etc.) 01:12:29 Faith in logic 01:14:37 Curt doesn't buy it when people say they "don't have faith" 01:21:18 Science, physicalism, idealism, and Bernardo Kastrup 01:27:21 If neither physicalism nor idealism can be refuted then it's faith to choose one 01:33:39 Both Robert and Curt find it hard to come to conclusions 01:40:08 Questioning Robert's faith 01:44:50 Is there a difference between faith in God and faith in driving a car? 01:51:59 Bede Rundle's argument against God 01:55:38 Alvin Plantinga's argument for God 01:55:38 Alvin Plantinga's argument for God 02:04:46 Why do intelligent people disagree extensively? 02:07:46 Is Robert any "closer to truth"? 02:10:55 How to keep all the Theories one's heard in one's working memory 02:14:07 Unedited podcasts vs. polished edited clips 02:15:44 [Pandaproducts] When is the Kastrup interview coming out? 02:16:33 [Andrea S] Why is there anything and not nothing? 02:21:00 [Steve Scully] Just because "something" exists, does this preclude "nothing" from existing? 02:22:07 [PF] Thoughts on UFO's / sightings / encounters? 02:22:41 [Pandaproducts] Thoughts on life after death / NDE's? 02:27:23 Demarcation problem 02:27:36 [Abdullah Khalid] Robert's best interview? 02:27:48 Who would you interview of the past? 02:27:57 Advice for Curt for Theories of Everything?
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I just finished (April 2021) a documentary called Better Left Unsaid http://betterleftunsaidfilm.com on the topic of "when does the left go too far?" Visit that site if you'd like to watch it.
