Dr. John Vervaeke

Christopher Mastropietro and Guy Sengstock discuss spiritual practice, workshops, and transformation. They explore the joy of the journey to discovery, the structure of influential workshops, and the power of fellowship. The importance of relational dialogues and having a guiding 'North Star' is highlighted. This episode offers a blend of academic rigor and experiential insights for deepening understanding of life's complexities.

In this third encounter between Dr. John Vervaeke and Matt Segall on Voices with Vervaeke, the conversation challenges conventional philosophical paradigms as it navigates complex terrain, from Kantian thresholds to Whitehead's modern implications. Vervaeke and Segall share a dynamic interplay, illuminating obscure ideas and rendering them pertinent to today's world. By examining the labyrinth of causality, freedom, and feeling, they invite the audience to reconsider what it means to understand ourselves and the universe we inhabit. Philosophical jargon is expertly unpacked, all the while maintaining a palpable sense of urgency as they dissect philosophical texts' relevance to everyday life. With multiple nods to their previous conversations, they lay the groundwork for a future rendezvous, promising more exploration into the evolving landscape of contemporary thought.   Matthew David Segall, Ph.D., is a multifaceted thinker straddling the realms of philosophy, science, and consciousness studies. He serves as an Associate Professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. Not just confined to academia, Segall also chairs the Science Advisory Committee for the Cobb Institute. His work pioneers process-relational thought across various disciplines, from the natural and social sciences to the exploration of consciousness. A transdisciplinary researcher, writer, teacher, and philosopher, Segall synthesizes complex ideas into accessible insights that invite deeper inquiry.   Resources:   Matt Segall: Website | Patreon | Facebook | X | YouTube John Vervaeke: Website | Patreon | Facebook | X | YouTube   The Vervaeke Foundation   John Vervaeke — YouTube: Whitehead and religion in the making w/ Matt Segall Emergence-emanation, Whitehead, Kastrup: a dialectic ontology w/ Matt Segall   Books Crossing the Threshold: Etheric Imagination in the Post-Kantian Process Philosophy of Schelling and Whitehead - Matthew David Segall Critique of Pure Reason - Immanuel Kant  Critique of Practical Reason - Immanuel Kant  The Critique of Judgement - Immanuel Kant The Concept of Nature - Alfred North Whitehead Opus Postumum - Immanuel Kant, Eckart Förster (Editor)   Miscellaneous Mundus Imaginalis or the Imaginary and the Imaginal - Henry Corbin   People Alicia Juarrero Alfred North Whitehead Martin Heidegger Ludwig Wittgenstein Immanuel Kant Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling Johann Gottlieb Fichte Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel Eckart Förster David Hume Maurice Merleau-Ponty Evan Thompson Francisco Varela Michael Marder Sabine Hossenfelder Rudolf Steiner Robert B. Brandom   Timecodes   00:00:00 — The episode kicks off with Dr. John Vervaeke giving an introduction and presenting his guest, Matt Segall, an expert in Whitehead's theories on existential issues. 00:01:37 — Discussions around Immanuel Kant and the nature of reality come into focus as Matt Segall elaborates on his book, a revised and expanded version of his dissertation. 00:05:15 — Segall introduces the compelling concept of "etheric imagination" and its multifaceted connotations. 00:09:26 — Accessibility of philosophical texts to the general public is emphasized by Matt Segall. 00:13:30 — Agreement on Kant's idea of freedom comes from Segall, who underscores the importance of agency over mere consumer choice. 00:16:40 — Matt Segall discusses the intricacies of providential world order and imminent purpose in organisms. 00:20:00 — Segall speaks about Kant's controversial usage of categories of understanding beyond their intended realm. 00:30:20 — The enigmatic root of imagination as a vital human experience is further explored by Segall. 00:33:40 — Clarifying Matt Segall's point, Dr. Vervaeke argues that imagination should have a deeper role in cognition, not a diminished one. 00:37:00 — Polarity over strict opposites is the topic of discussion between Vervaeke and Segall. 00:38:33 — Cultural tensions between Romanticism and Enlightenment are dissected. 00:43:31 — Segall introduces Whitehead's view of space-time as an inherited pattern. 00:47:46 — Vervaeke and Segall challenge the traditional philosophical view that feelings are private. 00:54:08 — Dr. Vervaeke discusses the complexities of string theory and the importance of a follow-up discussion.  

Dr. John Vervaeke and Carla Groom discuss the use of cognitive science in government decision-making and problem-solving. Topics include mental models, the dynamics of decision-making, 'we agency' philosophy, and the application of cognitive science in NASA's operations. This episode offers valuable insights for those interested in cognitive science, governance, and human behavior.

Psychiatrist Peter Czaplinski joins John Vervaeke in a thought-provoking discussion on the ethics of psychiatric care, the role of spirituality in mental health treatment, and the challenges of long-term therapy. They explore patient stories that illustrate the highs and lows of psychiatric practice, prompting listeners to reevaluate their understanding of the therapeutic relationship and ethical considerations in mental healthcare.

Alexander Beiner, a leading voice in the world of psychedelics, discusses the dangers and potentials of mixing politics with psychedelics, the mechanics of mystical experiences, and the modern meaning crisis. They also explore the risks and rewards of commodifying psychedelic experiences and delve into studies on altered states and the possibility of a collective conscious awakening.

Rafe Kelley, visionary movement coach, engages in a nuanced discussion with Dr. John Vervaeke. They explore topics such as the philosophy of human movement, sensory-motor learning, and the connection between cognition and emotion. Kelley advocates for a holistic approach to physical training, emphasizing the mind-body connection and ethical development. They discuss the crisis in the experience of meaning, the concept of regression in service of transcendence, and the importance of movement in understanding the world. They also delve into the concept of sensory motor, the view from above, and the connection between the Promethean spirit and technology.

Dr. John Vervaeke, Gregg Henriques, and Jordan Hall discuss human language, spirituality, and AI. Topics include predictive processing, transcendent naturalism, language transformation, and the implications of large language models. They explore the meta-crisis, the essence of digital media, and the theological underpinnings of future technology. This conversation offers insights into the complexities of reality and the bridging of science and spirituality.

Dr. Vervaeke and Joe Alto delve into philosophy, psychology, virtue, and spirituality, offering insights on the meaning crisis. They discuss integrating philosophy into psychology and the importance of cultivating virtues. Joe shares thoughts on guiding others spiritually. The episode explores the fusion of CBT and existential therapy, emphasizing mindfulness. They also touch on virtue experiments, wisdom, authenticity, virtual communication, and spiritual connections in relationships.

Topics explored in this podcast episode include self-organizing criticality, philosophy of order and chaos, the role of modern myths, consciousness in collective intelligence, tension between individual experience and societal norms, relevance realization and consciousness development, distinguishing between descriptive and prescriptive arguments in mythology, consciousness and the hero-adversary dichotomy, integration of relevance realization and stability/plasticity, interplay between order and chaos, evolution of avolvability and natural reward, exploring collective insight and sparking collective intelligence.

Dr. John Vervaeke and Brendan Graham Dempsey navigate the intricacies of meaning, spirituality, and the human experience. They touch on Neoplatonism and Zen, delve into Brendan's work on meaning, discuss the influence of historical figures like Plotinus and Dante, and explore the synthesis between science and ancient wisdom. They also explore contemplation and insight, the symbolic meaning of the human face, and the interconnectedness of self-consciousness and relationships.