Dr. John Vervaeke

Dr. John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques discuss the significance of rituals, transcendent experiences, and the global meaning crisis. They delve into the healing potential of rituals, the intersection of rationality and wisdom, and the transformative power of non-verbal rituals. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing the current meaning crisis and presents transcendent naturalism as a way forward.

Dr. John Vervaeke and Bishop Maximus (Marretta) explore a vast terrain of topics, from the rapid advancements in AI and their implications on privacy to the inherent biases ingrained in human cognition. Dr. Vervaeke shares intriguing insights on the potential threats and advantages of AI, particularly deepfake technology while highlighting the interrelation between human and machine. The discourse dives deep into cognitive biases and the practical techniques to overcome them, such as active open-mindedness. Moreover, the integration of stoic practices in Orthodox monastic traditions offers an intriguing perspective on the balance between modernity and spirituality. As AI continues to raise questions about consciousness, theology emerges as a key tool to provide answers, fostering a stronger sense of spirituality. The episode concludes with Dr. Vervaeke's profound understanding of memory, emphasizing its reconstructive nature, and offering actionable strategies for memory improvement. Time Codes: 00:00:00 - Dr. Vervaeke compares studying strategies to taking a canoe to Europe. 00:01:40 - Debate on governments' potential to read minds with the advent of AGI. 00:03:00 - The imminent threat posed by deepfake technology is discussed. 00:07:00 - Dr. Vervaeke's revelation that humans are essentially cyborgs in today's age. 00:13:20 - Introduction of the nine-dot problem, representing the complexities of human cognition. 00:15:20 - Experiment on increasing solution rates using transcranial direct current stimulation. 00:24:20 - Using automobiles as an example of biases affecting our decision-making. 00:27:40 - Delving into stoic practices for combating biases. 00:33:20 - Exploring the transformative power of rituals in problem-solving. 00:35:00 - Introduction of the meta-crisis comprising ecological, energy, and political issues. 00:38:00 - Discussing the relationship between wealth, well-being, and life's meaning. 00:45:00 - Emphasizing the sacrifices made by those in monastic life for greater meaning. 00:49:20 - The potential return of theology due to the rise of AI. 00:53:20 - Tackling profound questions about consciousness posed by AI. 01:04:00 - Introducing the "chunking" concept for effective memory.

Dr. John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques continue their thought-provoking exploration of Transcendent Naturalism by examining extended naturalism, neoplatonism, and the dimensions of sacredness. They challenge conventional notions of sacredness by examining its connection with strong transcendence and discussing Spinoza's insights into nature, God's ultimate reality, and the universe's deterministic nature, aligning with the Neoplatonic framework. They discuss religious perspectives, comparing classical and common theism and their evolution, while addressing the interplay between energy, consciousness, and reality, highlighting the philosophical underpinnings of theism. They also intriguingly differentiate spirituality from religion, both rooted in the concept of the sacred, and discuss symbolic ideals, spiritual richness, consequential history, and the profound significance of consequential decisions in our lives.   Resources: The Case for God - Karen Armstrong Religion and Nothingness - Keiji Nishitani Thinking Being: Introduction to Metaphysics in the Classical Tradition - Eric Pearl Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge - Edward Osborne Wilson   Time-codes: [00:00:00] Dr. John Vervaeke outlines the episode's structure: extended naturalism, the meaning of sacredness within extended naturalism, the concept of strong transcendence, and three phenomena where people traditionally express a sense of transcendence: rituals, altered states of consciousness, and belonging to a worldview. [00:04:53] Dr. Vervaeke dives into the first topic, extended naturalism. He discusses the consilience between structural and content arguments in the context of neoplatonism. [00:07:36] Discussion of Spinoza's distinction between nature nurturing and nature being nurtured, a concept that explores the relationship between top-down and bottom-up processes in nature, bringing  forward the idea of God not as a physical entity but as the source of all existence and understanding. [00:15:14] Dr. John Vervaeke discusses the features of common theism and its basis in classical theology, shares his perspective on the debates between theists and atheists, and the conception of God as a supreme being  [00:18:00] The concept of God as the ground that supports continual self-transcendence, and a contemplative discussion on theism's classical and common forms, pushing the boundaries of philosophical exploration. [00:25:19] A deep dive into how truth can exist outside our understanding, challenging conventional beliefs. [00:30:20] Dr. Vervaeke delves into the concept of sacredness, describing it as an inexhaustible and paradoxical fountain of intelligibility. He also highlights the limitations of traditional propositional knowing in fully comprehending this concept. [00:37:23] The concepts of soul and spirit as ineffable aspects of human experience, with the soul, referring to the groundedness of our experiences and spirit pointing to our capacity for self-transcendence, and discussion on the connection between the symbolic ideal and the transcendent, [00:38:09] Symbolic Ideals & Transcendence: Gregg Henriques links symbolic ideals to deeper philosophical perspectives, enriching discourse. [00:41:20] Dr. John Vervaeke explains the concept of sacredness as a transjective experience, providing a new perspective on the understanding of sacredness. [00:44:53] Gregg Henriques introduces a proposes a new concept of inconsequential versus consequential history; viewing historical events based on their long-term impact. [00:55:00] Dr. John Vervaeke outlines his plan to explore the deep interconnections between an extended notion of rationality and ritual and their power, including an explanation of how and why we experience strong transcendence within ritual experiences, within the framework of extended naturalism. Qoutes: “Strong transcendence has epistemological and ontological import. The idea is that there are truths about reality that are disclosed only when one goes through a transcendence, which also gives you access to different levels of knowing.” - Dr. John Vervaeke   “Generalizability in and of itself it's not really intelligibility. It’s generalizability in relationship to the capacity for differentiation held in appropriate dialectic. There's a generalizable differentiation polarity where the poles between the two is going to afford intelligibility, and it's the right relationship of that t that is fundamentally key.” - Gregg Henriques  

Dr. John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques discuss Transcendent Naturalism and the urgent need for a new worldview. They critique education, knowledge systems, capitalism, and consumerism. The discussion also explores loneliness, disconnection from nature, and transforming knowledge into wisdom systems. They propose coherent integrated pluralism and delve into emergence and the potential for a complex adaptive plane. This thought-provoking episode invites listeners to explore ontology, intelligence, and the importance of collective action in shaping a sustainable metaculture.

Dr. John Vervaeke and his colleagues introduce "Awaken to Meaning," an online platform for wisdom cultivation and self-improvement. They discuss the purpose and offerings of their dojo, emphasizing practical application, transformative impact, and maintaining accessibility. They express gratitude to patrons and invite listeners to contribute and engage with their practices. They explore their approach to religion, highlighting their work's benefits for all individuals. Encouraging participation, they express excitement for future interaction with listeners.

Dr. John Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques challenge prevailing notions about science, spirituality, and their intricate relationship in this first episode of the new series entitled: Transcendent Naturalism. They embark on a journey through modern worldviews, diving into concepts such as reductionism, the Cartesian divide, and the tension between objective and subjective understanding. This dialogue brings out the complexity of reconciling quantum mechanics and relativity, the prevalent models that rob human beings of meaning and wisdom, and the importance of transcendence. Furthermore, the discourse touches on extended naturalism, the critique of reductionism, and the groundbreaking concept of energy information singularity. Dr. Vervaeke and Henriques shed light on meta-arguments, the relevance of convergence in argumentation, the depth of transjectivity, and the vast expanse of collective intelligence. They also explore the concepts of abstraction, self-organization, and the interplay of causality and constraints. Top 15 Moments: 00:00:00: Dr. John Vervaeke introduces the new series "Transcendent Naturalism," a bridge between science and spirituality. 00:01:36: Gregg Henriques underscores the significance of understanding meaning-making and its relevance today. 00:04:56: Dr. Vervaeke highlights the tension between science and spirituality in contemporary culture. 00:07:34: Dr. Vervaeke explores the idea of reductionism within the hard sciences. 00:10:33: The discussion dives into the implications of the subjective-objective divide. 00:15:30: Dr. Vervaeke speaks on the prevalent models depriving human beings of meaning and wisdom. 00:18:40: The purpose of the series is presented, aiming to help listeners transcend their intellectual straitjackets. 00:22:41: Dr. Vervaeke emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of the psyche's grip on reality. 00:23:30 Introduction of the concept of extended naturalism, suggesting that our understanding of reality isn't limited to what's derivable from hard sciences but also includes what these sciences presuppose. 00:30:24: The discourse moves to a conformity theory of knowing, the idea of reality not being flat land, and the need for a leveled ontology. 00:45:16: Gregg Henriques discusses the role of abstraction in communication. 00:59:53: Dr. Vervaeke introduces the concept of reality being layered in a bottom-up emergence and top-down emanation. 01:06:40: Conformity theory: how the principles governing the mind and the world mutually participate in the same governing principles. 01:09:20: Transjectivity: a deeper relationship than subjectivity and objectivity, which is necessary for knowledge and truth.  01:15:39: The power of collective intelligence in problem-solving and understanding complex concepts is explored. 01:18:27: Dr. Vervaeke and Gregg Henriques discuss their converging ideas and the importance of ongoing dialogue. 01:23:40: Gregg Henriques discusses the concept of transjectivity and its application to his key concepts. Resources Mentioned: Books A New Synthesis for Solving the Problem of Psychology: Addressing the Enlightenment Gap - Gregg Henriques   Aspects of Truth: A New Religious Metaphysics - Catherine Pickstock Fifth Business - Robertson Davies Essential Difference: Toward a Metaphysics of Emergence - James Blachowicz  Dynamics in Action: Intentional Behavior as a Complex System | Context Changes Everything: How Constraints Create Coherence - Alicia Juarrero Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind - Evan Thompson Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions - Arthur Versluis Videos Dr. John Vervaeke Awakening from the Meaning Crisis  Neoplatonism and the Path of Transformation  Artificial Intelligence Circling into Dialogos The Meaning Code Wolfgang Smith & John Vervaeke: a Dialogos on Turning Toward a Science Grounded in Platonism People Ned Block Erik Hoel Michael Levin D. C. Schindler Wolfgang Smith Sir Karl Friston  Heidegger Roy Bhaskar  Miscellaneous UTOK Archdisciplinary Research Center (ARC) Gödel's incompleteness theorems Russell’s Paradox Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke: The Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission Distributed Cognition and the Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission The Enactment of Shared Agency in Teams Exploring Mars Through Rovers J.J. Gibson – Affordances

Philosopher DC Schindler and relationship expert Ken Lowry join John Vervaeke to discuss the nature of love, exploring topics such as Heidegger's concept of fatigue, Dionysius' understanding of causality, and the paradoxical nature of love. They also delve into the connection between love and transcendence, highlighting the transformative power of certain experiences like changing a baby's diaper. The urgency of integrating the iconic tradition into current challenges is emphasized.

Explore the power of storytelling in fostering connection and philosophical fellowship. Learn about an upcoming workshop focused on practical exercises like mindfulness and dialectic. Guest discusses their journey in book publishing and the importance of meaning-making. Discover how to engage the audience through curiosity and emotions. Embrace the writing process and continuous learning. Explore the transformative power of storytelling through Muhammad Ali's resilience. Courage and facing loss are key to creating impactful stories. Analyze masterworks like The Matrix to wake up from societal issues.