Dr. John Vervaeke

Delve into the relationship between the true, the good, and the beautiful. Explore Plato's Theory of Forms and dialectics. Contrast between resisting temptation and being drawn towards the good. Temptation of the Good and 'Really Real'. Contemplative practice of Lectio Divina.

In this podcast, John Vervaeke discusses various topics with guests, including Phillip S. Cary, Taylor Barratt, Peter Limberg, and Guy Sengst. They explore the dimensions of dialectic, self-knowledge, and aspiration. They discuss the concept of self and its interconnectedness with the dialogical, rational, imaginal, and aspirational aspects. The podcast also delves into the philosophy of illumination, the role of light in creating intelligibility, and Socratic questioning in Plato's dialogues. They also explore the meanings of "al-Afea" and phenomenon, as well as the concept of orientation and perspectives.

John Vervaeke, a Philosophical Fellowship & Dialectic into Dialogos practitioner, discusses topics like the relationship between dialectic and cultivating virtue, the importance of non-propositional knowledge in wisdom and meaning-making, and the role of orientation in our perception of reality. He also explores the concept of knowing in two different ways and guides listeners through a practice of opening and closing their senses.

Explore concepts such as relevance realization, self-transcendence, and theosis. Discuss the importance of kindness and the limitations of rules. Dive into the interplay of arousal, attention, and affect. Examine the multifaceted nature of logos and its connection to relevance realization. Explore the concept of finite transcendence and its parallels in spiritual traditions.

In this podcast, Dr. John Vervaeke introduces the series and discusses concepts like Imaginary vs. Imaginal and Predictive Processing. He explores the relationship between Socrates' way and spirituality, including dialogues with various philosophies and religions. The hosts also delve into understanding Socrates, Eros, and mindfulness meditation, and guide listeners through finding their center. They highlight the value of dialogue and the practice of Socratic self-knowledge.

Welcome back to episode 2 of After Socrates. In this installment, Dr. Vervaeke continues to add insight into the Socratic Way as we go deep into dialogue and the practices of "Finding Your Root" and "The Humble Wonder Practice." Please consider joining my patreon to support our work: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke -- You are invited to join me live, online, at the next Circling & Dialogos Workshop where we discuss & practice the tools involved in both Philosophical Fellowship & Dialectic into Dialogos.   You can find more information, and register, here:   https://circlinginstitute.com/circling-dialogos/ -- Thinkers Referenced: Drew Hyland Erich Fromm Robert C. Fuller Harold North Fowler Christopher Mastropietro Aristophanes Iris Murdoch John R. Wright Francisco J. Gonzalez Sara Ahbel-Rappe Sean D. Kirkland     Show Notes: [0:00] Introduction to episode [0:23] "Socrates the Monstrous" [1:06] Socrates described himself as atopos, which means "strange" or "out of place," not belonging to any known category. It resembles the modern word "atypical" but is deeper and more powerful. [1:48] Metaxy: as fundamentally in between the human and the divine [2:17] Finitude and Transcendence [2:35] Eros [3:26] The monster distorts the normal categories in a way that is startling, challenging and disruptive. [4:57] Questioning [7:12] By practicing this kind of dialogue, Socrates has come to know that he does not know. [7:48] "One has been pretending - deeply, unconsciously, automatically, reactively - to know." [8:25] Learned Ignorance [12:03] Horizon of Wonder [12:17] The psychoanalyst and social psychologist Erich Fromm successfully combined psychological and sociological thinking in a social psychological theory and method. World-wide known are his books Escape from Freedom, The Art of Loving and To Have Or to Be? and his humanistic concept of man. [12:25] Professor Fuller's research concerns the relationship between psychology and religion as well as the study of contemporary religion in the United States [13:00] Wisdom begins in Wonder [13:30] Educe: to bring out, or draw forth. Closely related to the word "education." [13:59] To be on the Horizon of Wonder is to be in a place in which you are calling yourself and your world into question. So a new self in a new world can deeply be born. [18:48] The process of dialogos is not something we do. It is something we participate in, the way we participate in love and friendship. It is between us, and between us and the world. [19:13] Harold North Fowler was the original translator of a number of Plato's works for the Loeb Classical Library collection. [21:07] we seek to bind ourselves to things [21:30] We seem by nature to be looking for things other than ourselves, to complete us. Self-transcendence; I'm looking for something that's other than me to become me so that I am more than me, but completed as me. [30:15] The unexamined life is not worth living. [34:49] 1) The best life is the life of virtue. [35:33] 2) Virtue depends on knowledge. [35:44] 3) He does not have the knowledge needed for virtue. [36:06] Aristophanes was a famous comic playwright of ancient Athens. His play The Clouds gives a critical portrayal of Socrates as a man of nonsense and deception. Socrates addresses the slander in Plato's Apology. [41:50] Iris Murdoch was a prominent British philosopher of the second half of the 20th century, best known for her moral philosophy. She combined her grounding in Wittgensteinian and linguistic/analytic philosophy with a strong influence of 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy, Christian religion and thought, and Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. [45:47] Is Socrates just Plato's mouthpiece? [59:11] Practice Intro. [59:44] Finding Your Root. [1:11:16] The humble wonder practice [1:12:08] There is so much I do not know about myself because of all of the facts. [1:12:49] There is so much I shall never know about myself because of all of the fate. [1:13:45] There is so much I refuse to see about myself because of all of my foolishness. [1:16:32] There is so much I am unable to see about myself because of all of my faults. --- After Socrates is a series about how to create the theory, the practice, and the ecology of practices such that we can live and grow and develop through a Socratic way of life. The core argument is; the combination of the theoretical framework and the pedagogical program of practices can properly conduct us into the Socratic way of life. We believe that the Socratic way of life is what is most needed today because it is the one that can most help us cultivate wisdom in a way that is simultaneously respectful to spiritual tradition and to current scientific work.

Exploring Tillich's beliefs on courage, faith, and idolatry as existential virtues. The significance of symbols in Christianity and their transformative power in connecting the existential self to the essential self. Barfield's influences and connections with Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and Coolridge. The concept of the inexhaustible moreness of reality and self-transcendence in creativity. Delving into language, cognition, and meaning cultivation in response to the meaning crisis.

Delve into the captivating distinctions between the imaginary and the imaginal, revealing their significance for self-knowledge. Explore the paradox of self-creation, balancing continuity with innovation in personal identity. The struggle with the meaning crisis is analyzed through the lenses of Jung and Freud, emphasizing the transformative power of archetypes. The discussion highlights the importance of connecting with one's sacred self for profound existential insights.

Explore the crisis of meaning in modern philosophy through Heidegger's insights and poetic reflections on existence. Discover how spiritual traditions like Taoism and Sufism connect through the concept of the 'divine double' and the power of imagination. Delve into rationality's role in personal transformation, overcoming self-deception to achieve wisdom. Learn how liberal education can break existential barriers, and appreciate the deep emotional connections fostered through classical music, symbolizing personal growth and self-transcendence.

Delve into intriguing insights on the meaning crisis through Heidegger's philosophical lens. Explore the depths of his ontological framework and the intricacies of truth and being. The concept of attunement is highlighted, showing its significance beyond mere propositions. Discover participatory knowing’s transformative potential and critique the modern quest for meaning. Additionally, reflect on the moral dilemmas faced by Heidegger and Tillich during the Nazi regime, prompting a reevaluation of their legacies.