The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

chevron_right

169. An Atheist in the Realm of Myth | Stephen Fry

May 17, 2021

Guest

Stephen Fry

In a captivating dialogue, Stephen Fry, a multi-talented British actor and intellectual, explores the intersections of atheism, mythology, and culture. He discusses the relevance of ancient myths in addressing modern cruelties and polarizing societal divides. The conversation delves into the contrasts between rationalism and empiricism, and the enduring power of narratives in shaping human understanding. Fry also critiques conventional ideologies, reflects on the intricacies of faith amidst suffering, and emphasizes the transformative role of storytelling in connecting us all.

01:40:37

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Drama and Truth

Dramatic accounts offer valuable truth, intertwining with religious narratives.
Stephen Fry, despite being an atheist, values the power of drama and myth.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Semmelweis and Handwashing

Ignaz Semmelweis, by experimenting, reduced childbirth deaths by handwashing.
Despite his empirical success, he was sent to a mental institution because his findings defied reason.

insights

INSIGHT

Narrative in Culture

Culture needs narrative structures, even in science, to make knowledge applicable.
Jung's analysis of science emerging from alchemy highlights the importance of narrative.

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

Navigating Cultural Divides

03:42 • 18min

chevron_right

Narratives, Rituals, and Human Understanding

21:55 • 25min

chevron_right

Exploring the Intricacies of Religion and Ideology

46:39 • 2min

chevron_right

Tradition and Identity in Mythology

48:11 • 8min

chevron_right

Suffering and Moral Conscience

55:51 • 13min

chevron_right

Behaviorism and Human Action

01:09:09 • 10min

chevron_right

Gods, Morality, and Evolution

01:18:52 • 18min

chevron_right

The Power of Storytelling in Human Connection

Publié dans *Trois contes* en 1877, *Un cœur simple* raconte la vie de Félicité, une servante pauvre et dévote, qui vit une existence marquée par l'amour inconditionnel et les pertes successives. Flaubert explore les thèmes de la simplicité, de la foi, et de la condition féminine dans une société rurale. L'histoire est une critique subtile de la religion et des conventions sociales, tout en célébrant la pureté et la générosité du cœur de Félicité.

Beyond Order

12 More Rules For Life

Jordan B Peterson

In this sequel to '12 Rules for Life', Jordan B. Peterson presents twelve additional rules to guide readers through the complexities of modern life. The book emphasizes the need to balance chaos and order, warning against the dangers of too much security and the tendency towards tyranny. Peterson draws on psychology, philosophy, theology, and mythology to provide strategies for finding meaning and purpose, even in times of powerlessness. Written during a period of personal and global turmoil, including health issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, the book offers a rich and deep exploration of how to navigate life's challenges.

The Golden Bough

A Study in Magic and Religion

James George Frazer

The Golden Bough is a wide-ranging, comparative study of mythology and religion written by Sir James George Frazer. The book examines the intricate relationships between magic, religion, and the customs of ancient societies, particularly focusing on the rituals and beliefs surrounding the priesthood of Diana at Aricia in Italy. Frazer aims to understand how these practices contributed to the structure of ancient societies and reveals broader patterns within human culture and thought. The work details the similarities of numerous world religions, highlighting death and rebirth as crucial elements of fecundity and survival. It has had a significant influence on contemporary European literature and thought, despite some criticisms regarding Frazer's methodology and interpretations.

Mythos

The Greek Myths Retold

Stephen Fry

Anna Llisterri i Boix

Jesus Sotes

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.

In 'Flaubert's Parrot', Julian Barnes crafts a unique narrative that follows Geoffrey Braithwaite, a retired English doctor, as he delves into the life of Gustave Flaubert. The story revolves around Braithwaite's quest to identify the authentic stuffed parrot that inspired Flaubert's story 'Un Coeur Simple'. The novel explores various aspects of Flaubert's life, Braithwaite's own reflections on his wife's death, and themes of subjectivism, the nature of biography, and the complexities of artistic creation. The book is characterized by its non-traditional narrative structure, blending elements of biography, fiction, and personal memoir.

The Brothers Karamazov

Larissa Volokhonsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Richard Pevear

Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason.

The origin of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind

Julian Jaynes

Julian Jaynes's "The Origins of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind" is a controversial but influential work that proposes a revolutionary theory about the evolution of human consciousness. Jaynes argues that consciousness as we know it emerged relatively recently in human history, and that earlier humans experienced the world differently, receiving instructions and guidance from internal voices they attributed to gods. This "bicameral mind," Jaynes suggests, was a state of consciousness where the left and right hemispheres of the brain functioned more independently. The book draws on evidence from ancient literature and mythology to support its claims, sparking considerable debate among scholars. While its central thesis remains highly contested, the book's imaginative approach to understanding consciousness continues to inspire discussion and further research.

Stalky & Co.

Rudyard Kipling

In 'Stalky & Co.', Rudyard Kipling tells the story of three teenage boys, Stalky, Beetle, and M'Turk, who navigate the strict environment of a British boarding school by rebelling against authority and developing their own code of conduct. The novel is a collection of tales that reflect Kipling's own experiences at school and explores how these early lessons shape the boys into men capable of serving the British Empire.

On this episode of the Jordan B Peterson Podcast, I am joined by Stephen Fry. Stephen Fry is a noted British actor, writer, comedian, political figure, journalist, poet, intellectual and much more. You may have seen him in the films Chariots of Fire, A Fish Called Wanda, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, V for Vendetta, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and The Hobbit film series. He’s also served as the president of a mental health charity. Stephen’s list of accomplishments is far too long to list here.

Stephen and I discussed a variety of topics in the realm of drama, literature, and politics. We also discuss among other topics, atheism, religion, rationalism, empiricism, myth/story, bartering with reality, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology, resentment, cruelty in the world, constitutional monarchy versus a democratic republic, and much more.

Find more of Stephen Fry on Twitter @stephenfry, his website stephenfry.com, check IMDB for his many movie and television appearances, and his many books.

This episode was recorded on March 28th, 2021.

Home Top podcasts Popular guests