The Veritas Forum

Rosalind Picard, an MIT computer scientist renowned for her work in affective computing, and Joshua Knobe, a Yale philosopher with a focus on the philosophy of mind, dive deep into what it means to be human. They tackle the limitations of AI in replicating true emotions, explore the bond between humans and pets, and examine the ethical concerns surrounding emotional robots. This thought-provoking conversation challenges our understanding of agency, compassion, and the essence of humanity in the face of rapid technological advancement.

In this engaging discussion, Curt Thompson, a practicing psychiatrist, and Victor Strecher, a professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan, dive deep into the art of storytelling. They explore how personal narratives shape our identity and well-being, emphasizing the importance of community in this process. The conversation also touches on finding purpose through connection, resilience in times of grief, and the blend of scientific insights with spiritual understanding, offering valuable perspectives on human flourishing.

The podcast features theologian Mirsolav Volf and Dean of Students Vijay Pendakur discussing the balance between truth and tolerance in society. They address the complexities of living together despite differences, the role of compromise in community, physical and emotional safety on college campuses, and speaking the truth in love. The conversation explores navigating truth, values, and tolerance, respectful dialogue, and understanding different viewpoints in diverse settings.

In college, it's common to feel the pressure to do everything—overload classes, join clubs, apply to internships, and more. But rarely do we stop to ask why. Behind all of our striving, what’s the purpose of our work anyway? The speakers in this episode ask this question. You'll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and director of the Center for Medical Ethics at Columbia University, and Mike Fontaine, professor of Classics at Cornell. They discuss our desire to cling to life, how to find a purpose that transcends the daily striving of school and career, and what ancient wisdom might offer us that the “grindset mindset” can’t. This forum was held at Cornell in Fall 2023. Thank you to the forums team at Cornell for making this event possible. Sign up for our newsletter here. Watch the full Forum here. Visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and find more resources to explore the ideas that shape our lives.

What if there was a way to alleviate the symptoms of depression in just five days by changing a person’s brain activity? Obviously, this kind of shift would radically change a person’s life, finally letting them find happiness and satisfaction. Our guest today in this episode is David Carreon. He’s the co-founder of Acacia Clinic, a mental health clinic in Silicon Valley that uses a radically fast treatment for mental illness. He’s just released a new book called The Opposite of Depression to share what he’s learned. In this conversation, David and Seth discuss how depression affects more than just the mind, why removing symptoms of depression doesn’t remove habits of depression, and what the opposite of depression really is. We also talk about how Jesus is an emotional exemplar for us today. Find additional resources and a link to David's book on the podcast episode page here.

One of our faculty partners and frequent Veritas Forum speakers, John Inazu (WUSTL), has a new book out — Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. His book isn’t about the election per se, but so many of his ideas and tools will be helpful this year. As November approaches, we'll have to decide not just who or what we will vote for, but how we will engage in political conversations, especially with people we love. In this episode, you’ll hear about his book and the empathy we need, the challenges of compromise, and his recommendations for difficult conversations. He also talks about the model of Jesus for how to disagree in truth and love. Find additional resources and a link to John's book on the podcast episode page here.

Mary Poplin shares how Mother Teresa changed her life, highlighting forgiveness, the role of Jesus in social justice, and the impact of radical secularism in education. She reflects on her transformative experience working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and the influence of small church groups on forgiveness. Poplin emphasizes the need for a well-rounded education and the transformative power of radical forgiveness in Christianity.

Explore the link between happiness and patient care in the medical field. Unveil the truth behind doctor's happiness and the importance of addressing their well-being. Discover true joy at work, avoiding burnout by creating value and serving others. Explore perspectives on faith, age, and suffering. Prioritize relationships over work, embrace simplicity for happiness, and navigate agency and empowerment in healthcare professions.

Philosopher John Lennox and physicist Daniel Lowenstein dive into the concept of a multiverse and whether we are living in the best possible world. They explore questions on existence, tragedy, pain, and the role of God, examining the paradox of a perfect world, the necessity of imperfection, evil and suffering, hope amidst adversity, and the concept of punishment in Christianity.

Meaning can be straightforward — a red octagon means “Stop!”, a hand wave with a smile means “Hello,” or adding two and two equals four. But meaning is often more complicated — a friend saying they’ll eat “whatever” for dinner or a significant other texting, “We need to talk.” In this episode, our speakers invite you into the messiness of meaning — and discuss how best we can search for it. You’ll hear a conversation between mathematician Satyan Devadoss (U San Diego) and biologist Stuart Firestein (Columbia). Satyan and Stuart bring their scientific backgrounds and religious perspectives as they explore the role of reason in the search for meaning, what can and can’t be taken at face value, and what strategies can help us find truth — from the scientific method to literary analysis to religious tradition. This Forum was held at Columbia University in 2014. Thanks to the forums planning team at Columbia for making this event possible. Watch the full Forum event here. Sign up for our newsletter here. Visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and find more resources to explore the ideas that shape our lives