John Vervakey on Psychology, Cognitive Science, and the Four E Model

John Vervakey is a professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto/nHis research focuses on thinking, reasoning, cognitive development, intelligence, rationality, mindfulness, and the psychology of wisdom/nVervakey directs U Toronto's consciousness and wisdom studies laboratory and teaches courses on introduction to cognitive science and the cognitive science of consciousness/nHe emphasizes the four E model, which asserts that cognition and consciousness are embodied, embedded, enacted and extended beyond the brain/nVervakey has also taught courses on Buddhism and cognitive science for 15 years/nHe is the creator of the YouTube series Awakening from the Meaning/nTim Ferriss interviews John Vervakey on the Tim Ferriss Show in this podcast episode

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John Vervaeke (@vervaeke_john) is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. He currently teaches courses on thinking and reasoning with an emphasis on cognitive development, intelligence, rationality, mindfulness, and the psychology of wisdom.

Vervaeke is the director of UToronto’s Consciousness and Wisdom Studies Laboratory and its Cognitive Science program, where he teaches Introduction to Cognitive Science and The Cognitive Science of Consciousness, emphasizing the 4E model, which contends that cognition and consciousness are embodied, embedded, enacted, and extended beyond the brain.

Vervaeke has taught courses on Buddhism and Cognitive Science in the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program for 15 years. He is the author and presenter of the YouTube series “Awakening from the Meaning Crisis” and his brand new series, ‘After Socrates.’

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[05:31] The four ways of knowing (4P).

[10:15] Affordances.

[13:04] Semantic memory.

[13:37] Flow.

[27:03] Did John find Tai Chi, or did Tai Chi find him?

[29:46] Leaving Christianity.

[34:42] Wisdom vs. knowledge.

[36:54] Self-deception.

[41:53] When is logic the illogical choice for solving a problem?

[46:05] The powers and perils of intuition.

[55:05] Spotting patterns that need breaking.

[59:18] Meditation vs. contemplation.