482. The Meaning Crisis: Resolution | Dr. John Vervaeke
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Understanding Lies in Participation and Perspective
The distinction between different forms of knowing is crucial, emphasizing the importance of participatory knowing over propositional knowing. Propositional knowledge can lead to a detached understanding of reality, undermining the essence of existential engagement. The comparison of the four kinds of knowing—propositional, procedural, perspectival, and participatory—illuminates how participatory knowing serves as the foundation for all other forms of understanding. Participatory knowing connects individuals to the larger reality, representing a true embodiment of knowledge rather than mere intellectual abstraction. Understanding involves grasping the significance of knowledge and is essential in discerning the distinction between knowledge creation and understanding within scientific contexts. Felicitous fictions in science often serve to orient individuals toward a deeper significance rather than to provide accurate depictions of reality. This highlights the vital role that primordial propositions play in cognitive agency, emphasizing the need to recognize their impact on our understanding and ethical considerations, thus connecting knowledge with higher-order ethical virtues.
