Mahon McCann

Part 4 of the series, exploring the life of Socrates, Plato's philosophy, escaping the Cave and mapping out personal transformations. To read the full essay visit: https://mahonmccann.substack.com/To listen to the Awakening From The Meaning Crisis Episodes mentioned:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhl51bZQlM8&ab_channel=JohnVervaekehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neDutbcedUY&ab_channel=JohnVervaekeSubscribe to John's Channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Sebastian Watzl is the associate professor of philosophy at the University of Oslo, author of 'Structuring Mind: The Nature of Attention and how it Shapes Consciousness' and one of the foremost philosophical thinkers on attention in the world today.Get his book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Structuring-Mind-Nature-Attention-Consciousness/dp/0199658420In this podcast, we are talking about attention, how attention works, why attention is the start of self-control, how to improve your attentional skills, what attention capture technology is doing to our brains and how to fix it!Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/jpiGoqs1jss Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Part 3 of the current series discusses the Meaning Crisis, Jordan Peterson's Hero Meta-mythology and Relevance Realisation. Read the full article here: https://mahonmccann.substack.com/ Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Thoughts on the Meaning Crisis, Virtue Ethics & Cultivating Character. Read The full article here: https://mahonmccann.substack.com/ Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Brett Andersen, a PhD researcher in evolutionary psychology and writer of 'Intimations of a New World View', dives deep into the intersection of science, morality, and mythology. He discusses Jordan Peterson's Meta-mythology as a framework to tackle the modern meaning crisis. Andersen explores the quest for new values in a secular age, the complexities of the hero’s journey, and how cultural shifts affect moral perspectives. Intriguingly, he examines the role of resentment in moral responsibility and the impact of today's attention economy on ethics.

The podcast dives into the crisis of attention, urging a shift in practices to regain control over our focus. It examines how salience and prioritization impact personal growth, highlighting dopamine's role in this process. Ancient cultural practices of attention management are contrasted with modern understandings, referencing insights from Carl Jung. Emotions are explored as they influence perceptions, along with metacognitive techniques for emotional negotiation. The discussion sets a philosophical foundation for character development and self-control.

John Vervaeke, a cognitive science professor at the University of Toronto and creator of the 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' series, dives deep into the challenges of the attention economy and the impact of social media on our quest for truth. He explores how digital distractions can lead to loneliness, despite increased connectivity. The discussion also touches on innovative voting methods to combat polarization and the ethical dilemmas of AI in shaping user behavior, urging a reevaluation of values beyond mere economic success.

Jeffrey Dahmer, prolific American Serial Killer and Cannibal, has the number one TV show on Netflix this week? (And I thought Zak Efron playing Ted Bundy was bad) Dahmer’s racked up the most views for Netflix since the debut of Stranger Things Season 4 with 196.2m hours of watch time since its release on September 21st. What is our weird obsession with evil mass-murdering serial killers? And culturally, why can’t we stop making creeky-cassette-playing documentaries about every lunatic with aviator sunglasses and 10+ murders under his belt?Read the full article at: https://mahonmccann.substack.com/ Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Massimo has a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. He currently is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York.He is the author or editor of 14 books, most recently 'The Quest For Character: What Socrates can teach us about the art of living well' (Get your copy of the book here).In this podcast, we are talking about Stoic philosophy, improving our character, cultivating wisdom, the story of Socrates and the wreckless Alcibiades, Ancient Spiritual exercises, Tribalism and more!Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/lp4FwXNhp9ASubscribe on Substack: https://mahonmccann.substack.com/ Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Dive deep into cognitive distortions and the pitfalls of mind reading, where assumptions lead to misunderstandings. Discover how reflecting on Stoic principles can transform your interpersonal insights. The discussion also weaves in Socratic wisdom, emphasizing the beauty of acknowledging ignorance and the quest for truth. By challenging unproductive thoughts, we can shape our perceptions and foster more authentic connections with others.