The Master and Emissary: Right and Left Hemisphere's Unique Roles: The right hemisphere, often less dominant, is actually more reliable and sees more than the left. The left functions like a bureaucrat, while the corpus callosum inhibits and allows effective teamwork between the hemispheres.
Our brains have two hemispheres, each with unique functions and perspectives. Dr. Peterson, in his book "Maps of Meaning," refers to this relationship as the master and the emissary. The right hemisphere, often thought of as less dominant, is actually more reliable and sees more than the left hemisphere, which functions like a bureaucrat. This separation is evolutionarily significant, as the two hemispheres have had to specialize and inhibit each other to effectively tackle different tasks. The corpus callosum, which connects the hemispheres, plays a crucial inhibiting role. Despite their distinct functions, the hemispheres must work together, and inhibition is one way they achieve this differentiation and effective teamwork. This intricate relationship between the hemispheres is largely unconscious, allowing us to navigate the world with a cohesive understanding.
The Brain's Two Modes: Logic vs. Imagination: Our brains have two distinct modes: the left hemisphere processes logic and facts, while the right hemisphere deals with imagination and anomalies. The orienting reflex helps navigate between these modes, allowing us to explore imaginative possibilities while staying grounded in reality.
Our brains operate in two distinct modes, each with unique qualities and functions. The left hemisphere is more logical, focused on language and facts, while the right hemisphere is more imaginative, dealing with anomalies and possibilities. The orienting reflex, a response to unexpected or undesired stimuli, plays a crucial role in this dynamic. Initially, the right hemisphere generates an imaginative landscape of potential explanations, which can be thought of as a landscape of anomaly populated with imaginative demons. This imaginative exploration is then narrowed down and specialized through the left hemisphere's routinized and constrained processes. The defense-predator and exploration-prey hypothesis further highlights this division, with the left hemisphere on the lookout for threats and the right hemisphere discovering new opportunities. This conceptualization of hemispheric functions offers a compelling perspective on how our brains respond to the world around us.
Balance of chaos and order in brain and life: Effectively managing the balance between chaos and order in our lives, as represented by our brain's left and right hemispheres, is crucial for optimal functioning.
Our brain's left and right hemispheres, while controlling different functions, work together to maintain a balance between exploration and grasping, chaos and order. This balance is crucial for our optimal functioning and can be compared to the biblical concept of a garden, which represents the harmony of chaos and order in nature. The challenge lies in managing this balance effectively, as we cannot completely eliminate chaos or keep external influences out. Therefore, we must decide whether to build high walls to keep chaos at bay or allow for chaos while building our strength to contend with it. This metaphorical question may also resonate with deeper philosophical and theological questions about the existence of evil in the world and our approach to dealing with it.
Limitation and anomalies are essential for existence and growth: Ancient Jewish philosophy suggests that limitation is necessary for being, and resistance and anomalies are prerequisites for anything to come into existence. Good thinking and science require a balance between skepticism and openness to new ideas, as seen in Jung's observation of radical personality transformation.
The existence of limitation and anomalies are essential for being and growth. This idea is rooted in ancient Jewish philosophy, which suggests that a being with the classic attributes of omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence lacks limitation, making the limited, which is us, the justification for being. The existence of resistance and anomalies is a prerequisite for anything to come into existence, and we must learn to accommodate them instead of ignoring or suppressing them. Good science and thinking require a balance between skepticism and openness to new ideas. Jung's observation of radical personality transformation aligns with this idea, suggesting that the inhibition of one hemisphere can lead to the reaction of the other to anomalies, resulting in growth.
Recognizing and Incorporating Anomalies for a Better Understanding of Reality: Our brains constantly seek to understand reality by detecting patterns in anomalies and generating counter-hypotheses, leading to new personality configurations or paradigm shifts.
Our understanding of reality is an ongoing process of recognizing and incorporating anomalies. The right hemisphere of our brain plays a crucial role in this process by detecting patterns in these anomalies and generating counter-hypotheses. When these counter-hypotheses can explain the anomalies and the previously known information, a new personality configuration or paradigm shift occurs. This process is not a descent into chaos but rather a progression towards increased generalizability and a better understanding of the world. Despite the challenges of dealing with anomalies, there is a cumulative nature to knowledge, and truths exist, even if they may be refined over time. Our brains are wired to make sense of the world around us, and the recognition and incorporation of anomalies are an essential part of this process.
Balancing stability and exploration for optimal function: Uncertainty and instability can lead to optimal neurological function and a sense of meaning and purpose, aligning with Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. Everything, including the universe and the concept of God, is a process.
Embracing uncertainty and being in a slightly unstable position can lead to optimal neurological function and a sense of meaning and purpose. This idea aligns with Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, where we balance stability and exploration. The concept of purpose is not limited to our daily lives, but rather, the universe is unfolding with direction, even if the exact nature of that direction is unknown. Everything is a process, including the concept of God, who is not omniscient or omnipotent but rather in a state of becoming. Music, as a powerful and mysterious process, is an excellent example of this idea.
Understanding the Interconnectedness of Music and the Universe: Music and the universe are deeply interconnected, with music representing the arrangement of patterns in the universe and offering a unique connection to its self-exploring, self-actualizing process.
Music and patterns in the universe are deeply interconnected. Music is not just a representation of reality but something that comes into being when we're in its presence. This perspective aligns with the idea that everything in the universe, from atoms to planets, is in a state of constant change. Taking a broader perspective and considering things abstractly can help us understand this better. Plato and certain strands of Christianity have focused on perfect, unaltered states, but the universe may be better understood as a self-exploring, self-actualizing process that requires opposition and change. Contemplating death deeply can help us appreciate this idea, as it is a fundamental mechanism for bringing in new, better things. Music, as the most representative of the arts, describes the arrangement of these patterns and offers a unique connection to the cosmic process.
The inevitability of death and its connection to life: Embrace death as a natural part of life, and use the pursuit of understanding fundamental questions to fuel personal growth and new ideas.
Death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a necessary part of the process of life. This idea, shared by many wise people throughout history, is connected to the interconnectedness of all things, including our personal histories, cultures, and dependence on the environment. Life and philosophy are intertwined, and the pursuit of understanding fundamental questions, such as the existence of evil, can lead to greater insights. The struggle with these questions can also serve as a catalyst for personal growth and the bringing forth of new ideas.
The need for limitation, free choice, and otherness in creation: Creation requires limitation and free choice, leading to the distinction between good and evil. This distinction is necessary for making choices and can coexist with the avoidance of evil.
The concept of being, whether it's for a god or an individual, requires limitation and free choice. Free choice, in turn, necessitates the distinction between good and evil. This distinction is essential for making choices, and it's possible to create a world where evil exists as an option but isn't required or inevitable. The ethical requirement is to avoid evil, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't exist. Instead, it could be seen as the need for otherness, as God or any being needs something other to create or exist. This process of creation and fragmentation, as seen in Jewish myths, involves withdrawal, fragmentation, and repair, resulting in something greater than before. This process is similar to the functioning of the hemispheres, with the right hemisphere being receptive to new things. The idea of creation through limitation, free choice, and the need for otherness is a common theme in various philosophical and religious perspectives.
Understanding and Letting Go: The Process of Learning and Performing: Learning and performing involves analyzing the parts while embracing the whole, using the left hemisphere for categorization and the right hemisphere for experiencing the music as a whole.
Our brains process complex experiences, like learning a piece of music, by breaking them down into categories using the left hemisphere, but the experience as a whole remains in the right hemisphere. We first connect with the music as a whole, then identify specific areas for improvement, and eventually, when performing, we let go of these details and focus on the overall experience. This process of understanding and letting go is called "tikkun" or "repair." It's essential to remember that the categories we create are just tools to help us understand the larger picture, and we must not lose sight of the whole. In summary, the process of learning and performing involves both analyzing the parts and embracing the whole.
The Master and His Emissary: Dr. Iain McGilchrist
Recent Episodes from The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
482. The Meaning Crisis: Resolution | Dr. John Vervaeke
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down in person with associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, author, and podcaster, Dr. John Vervaeke. They discuss the alignment between the Gospel accounts and Western civilization; Neoplatonism as it applies to Christianity; the voluntary necessity of reason, love, and beauty; and what really caused the Roman Empire to fall.
John Vervaeke is an associate professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto. John researches and publishes on the nature of intelligence, rationality, wisdom, and meaning in life, emphasizing relevance realization, non-propositional kinds of knowing, and 4E cognitive science.
This episode was filmed on September 5th, 2024.
Watch “Depression & Anxiety” - https://bit.ly/3XxsOTv
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down in person with associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, author, and podcaster, Dr. John Vervaeke. They discuss the alignment between the Gospel accounts and Western civilization; Neoplatonism as it applies to Christianity; the voluntary necessity of reason, love, and beauty; and what really caused the Roman Empire to fall.
John Vervaeke is an associate professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto. John researches and publishes on the nature of intelligence, rationality, wisdom, and meaning in life, emphasizing relevance realization, non-propositional kinds of knowing, and 4E cognitive science.
This episode was filmed on September 5th, 2024.
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For John Vervaeke:
Awakening From the Meaning Crisis Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ
Vervaeke Foundation Website: https://vervaekefoundation.org/
John Vervaeke's Lectern (Walking the Philosophical Silk Road): https://youtu.be/Foz0VaTUuEw?si=odQyamOGhiOspuyk
481. 10 Disruptive Truths | Vivek Ramaswamy
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, podcaster, and patriot Vivek Ramaswamy. They discuss his new book (releasing September 24th), “Truths: The Future of America First.” In this episode, they explore the reality of God, the fundamental nature of the sexual binary, how the Left has crafted a new belief system out of paradoxical claims, and how biblical morality is intrinsic to the fabric of America.
Vivek Ramaswamy is an American business leader, New York Times bestselling author, and former 2024 Republican U.S. presidential candidate. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, he went on to become a serial entrepreneur and CEO who founded several successful businesses including Roivant Sciences, Strive, and Chapter. He is a bestselling author of three books — “Woke, Inc.” (2021), “Nation of Victims” (2022), and “Capitalist Punishment” (2023) — with a fourth book coming in 2024, “Truths: The Future of America First.” In 2023, Vivek served as an executive producer on the film “City of Dreams,” which addresses human trafficking and child slavery in the United States. He is a graduate of St. Xavier High School, Harvard College, and Yale Law School.
This episode was filmed on September 5th, 2024
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For Vivek Ramaswamy:
Preorder Truths: The Future of America First
480. The Psychology Behind "Nice Guys Finish Last" | Keith Campbell
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, researcher, and professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, Dr. Keith Campbell. They delve deep into the weeds of narcissism, exposing the “good guy” fallacy; why alpha males attract more women; the axis of introversion, extroversion, and neuroticism as it applies to personality disorders; and the obsession with self-esteem which only fosters misery.
W. Keith Campbell, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, is the author of more than 200 scientific papers and several books, including “The New Science of Narcissism” and “Professor OCEAN: A small tale of personality’s Big Five.” His work on personality has appeared across print media and he has made numerous media appearances, from the “Today Show” to the “Joe Rogan Experience.” He wrote the popular TED-Ed lesson on narcissism and writes a Substack called “Explorations in Personality.” He holds a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and did his postdoctoral work at Case Western Reserve University. He lives in Athens, Georgia, with his wife and daughters.
This episode was recorded on September 4th, 2024
- Links -
For Keith Campbell:
On X https://x.com/wkeithcampbell?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Website https://www.wkeithcampbell.com/?_sm_nck=1
Substack https://substack.com/@wkeithcampbell
479. Am I Racist? | Matt Walsh
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, documentarian, and podcaster Matt Walsh. They discuss the soon-to-be hit film “Am I Racist?” as well as implicit bias, the disparity of demographics, how men and women both find meaning through responsibility (in different ways), and why concepts like white guilt have taken the place of religion for many on the secular left.
Matt Walsh is a popular writer, speaker, and one of the Right's most influential voices. He is the host of “The Matt Walsh Show,” and author of the best-selling children’s book Johnny the Walrus. His documentary “What is a Woman?” has become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most talked-about documentaries of 2022.
This episode was recorded on August 19th, 2024
- Links -
For Matt Walsh:
“Am I Racist?” Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7PA_kshZh0
Buy tickets on the website https://www.amiracist.com/
478. Heaven, Hell, & the Human Condition | Jack Symes
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author and philosopher Jack Symes. They discuss the ability of man to conceptualize God, the arguments for and against both an evil God and a perfect God, the evidence for a transcendent good to exist, and why happiness and suffering are the wrong theological axes.
Jack Symes is a public philosopher and researcher at Durham University. Dr Symes is best known as the producer of The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast, one of the UK’s most popular higher education podcasts. Jack is also the editor of the Talking about Philosophy book series, which features contributions from some of the world’s most influential thinkers. His books include "Philosophers on Consciousness: Talking about the Mind" (2022), "Philosophers on God: Talking about Existence" (2024), "Defeating the Evil-God Challenge: In Defence of God’s Goodness" (2024), and "Philosophers on How to Live: Talking about Morality" (forthcoming).
This episode was recorded on August 4th, 2024
- Links -
For Jack Symes:
Website www.jacksymes.co.uk
On X www.x.com/_JackSymes
477. Stopping the Socialist Trainwreck in British Columbia | John Rustad
Foundations of the West is out now on DailyWire+: https://bit.ly/3ABnIgR
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with the leader of the Conservative party of British Columbia, John Rustad. They discuss the natural resources of the province, the necessity of cheap energy to ensure prosperity, the biggest threats facing both Canada and the U.S. at large, and what it takes to be a politician who inspires confidence and earns trust.
John Rustad is the Conservative MLA for Nechako Lakes - a riding he has held since 2005. John was born and raised in Prince George, married Kim in 1995, and has spent his entire life living in northern British Columbia. In the early 2000s, John was faced with a difficult task. Frustrated with the direction the province was headed, John had to decide between leaving for greener pastures or sticking around. Thankfully, he decided to stick around and, in so doing, decided to fight for BC. For more than 20 years, John has fought for the people of British Columbia. First being elected as a school board trustee to SD-57 and then as an MLA in 2005 to the riding of Prince George–Omineca. Later being re-elected in the riding of Nechako Lakes, after riding redistribution and has served there ever since. John has been a champion of resource development and economic reconciliation, as well as the champion of the common man his entire time in office.
This episode was recorded on August 15th, 2024
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For John Rustad:
Conservative Party of BC website www.conservativebc.ca
John Rustad on X https://twitter.com/JohnRustad4BC
Conservative Party of BC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ConservativeBC
John Rustad on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/johnrustadbc
Conservative Party of BC on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/conservativebc/?hl=en
476. Crime and Punishment | Tommy Robinson
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with British journalist and activist Tommy Robinson. They discuss how peaceful demonstrations have been relentlessly tarred as extremist events, how the captured media and U.K. government have colluded to oppress and silence the majority population, how multiculturalism has not failed but activist communities have, the slew of controversies levied against Tommy — and why he keeps fighting for the truth.
Tommy Robinson is a British journalist and activist who first became an establishment target after reporting on the grooming gangs in Luton. From then on, he and his family have been smeared and punished for attempting to out those who are enabling Islamic extremism.
This episode was recorded on August 16th, 2024
- Links -
For Tommy Robinson:
On X https://x.com/TRobinsonNewEra?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
475. Threat From South America | Axel Kaiser
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author and president of the Foundation for Progress in Chile, Axel Kaiser. They discuss the state of Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro, the opposition leader María Corina Machado, 21st-century socialism, the rise of the cartels, and how the ethos of care undergirds economic instability.
Axel Kaiser Barents von Hohenhagen is a Chilean-German lawyer, Master in Investments, Commerce, and Arbitration, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Heidelberg (Germany). He is the co-founder and president of the Foundation for Progress in Chile, one of the most influential free-market think tanks in Latin America. He is an international lecturer and a best-selling author of several works that include his Tolkienian fantasy novel “The Book of Asgalard” (available only in Spanish). His book "The Street Economist" became the most sold economics book in the Spanish-speaking world in the last 20 years, playing an important role in Argentina’s current free-market movement.
This episode was recorded on August 12th, 2024
- Links -
For Axel Kaiser:
On X https://x.com/AXELKAISER?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
“The Street Economist: 15 Economic Lessons Everyone Should Know” (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Street-Economist-Economics-Lessons-Everyone/dp/1645720810
“The Book of Asgalard” (Book)(Spanish only) https://www.amazon.com/El-libro-Asgalard-Axel-Kaiser/dp/8445016393
474. Why “Anti-Racism” is the Worst Form of Racism | Coleman Hughes
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, podcaster, and opinion columnist Coleman Hughes. They discuss his latest book, “The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America,” why color blindness should be re-implemented as a cultural goal, the Marxist actors who have deliberately moved to repel it, the need for a meritocratic system, and instances when racial discrimination is appropriate.
Coleman Hughes is an author, podcaster, and opinion columnist who specializes in issues related to race, public policy, and applied ethics. Coleman’s writing has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, National Review, Quillette, City Journal, the Spectator, and the Washington Examiner. He appeared on Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021. In 2019, Hughes testified before the U.S. House Judiciary subcommittee at a hearing on reparations for slavery. In 2024, Hughes released his first book, “The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America.” He has appeared on prominent TV shows and podcasts including “The View,” “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “The Joe Rogan Experience,” and “Making Sense with Sam Harris.” Hughes is a columnist at the Free Press and a contributor at CNN.
This episode was recorded on August 8th, 2024
- Links -
Foundations of the West, out now on DailyWire+: https://bit.ly/3ABnIgR
For Coleman Hughes:
Buy tickets to see Coleman Hughes in conversation with Josh Szeps on August 25th in Sydney and August 28th in Melbourne.
Sydney link: https://festivalofdangerousideas.com/program/a-colourblind-society-uncomfortable-conversations/#tickets
Melbourne link: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/uncomfortable-conversations-live-with-coleman-hughes-and-josh-szeps-melbourne-28-08-2024/event/130060E1D02C314C
On X https://x.com/coldxman?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
On youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ColemanHughesOfficial
473. The War on Children & the Language of Deception | Logan Lancing
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, speaker, and founder of ItsNotinSchools.com, Logan Lancing. They discuss the deceptive terminology of the postmodern Left and how the linguistic game hides a severe lack of substance, the true heart of Marxism as a theology, the indoctrination of our children at the institutional level, and the sacrifices it will take to truly right the ship.
Logan Lancing is an author, speaker, and the founder of ItsNotinSchools dot com. He is best known for his public lectures on critical race theory, culturally relevant pedagogy, and queer theory. Lancing’s website explains what these “woke” theories are, identifies where they come from, and exposes how they show up in children’s classrooms nationwide.
This episode was recorded on July 30th, 2024
- Links -
For Logan Lancing:
On X https://x.com/LoganLancing/highlights
On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@loganlancing
Know what you children are being taught https://www.itsnotinschools.com/
“The Queering of the American Child: How a New School Religious Cult Poisons the Minds and Bodies of Normal Kids” (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Queering-American-Child-Religious-Poisons/dp/B0CSP4L1T9/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/138-3764402-1287437?pd_rd_w=J1eG0&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=FF9ME2FMJZ7DHXP3T72Z&pd_rd_wg=7dgdC&pd_rd_r=592af638-8ca4-4007-9820-2d0249e0e34c&pd_rd_i=B0CSP4L1T9&psc=1
“THE WOKE WARPATH: How Marxists Use Race and Gender to Break America” (Book)
https://www.amazon.com/WOKE-WARPATH-Marxists-Gender-America/dp/B09WYVZFJ8
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#234 — The Divided Mind
Sam Harris speaks with Iain McGilchrist about the differences between the right and left hemispheres of the human brain. They discuss the evolutionary history of the divided brain, research on surgically divided brains, popular misconceptions about the differences between the hemispheres, the left hemisphere's propensity for confabulation, the prospect that consciousness might be partitioned in an intact brain, the difference between consciousness and attention, the boundary between the conscious and unconscious mind, how face-to-face encounters differ between the hemispheres, the unique deficits resulting from damage to the left and right hemispheres, the ascendancy of the left-hemisphere in modern culture, the possibility that the brain is a mere receiver of mind, the prospect of surviving death, and other topics.
If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
The Psychological Drivers of the Metacrisis | John Vervaeke, Iain McGilchrist, and Daniel Schmachtenberger
In this episode, John Vervaeke, Iain McGilchrist, and Daniel Schmachtenberger dive deep into the metacrisis, unraveling its intricate layers. They discuss the role of hemispheric differences in shaping human experiences and worldviews, explore the contemporary meaning crisis, and analyze how human psychology intersects with global crises. Throughout their conversation, they stress the importance of shifting from extrinsic to intrinsic purposes, critique the dominance of the left hemisphere, and advocate for wisdom-based values. The panelists also ponder the potential for a new philosophical awakening, the reinterpretation of existing religions, and the necessity of holistic education. Importantly, they emphasize the significance of nurturing beauty, embracing awe, and recognizing our sacred obligation to protect our ever-evolving reality. The dialogue provides insights into how individuals can navigate this complex landscape and contribute to a wiser, more connected world.
Iain McGilchrist: Iain McGilchrist is a renowned psychiatrist and writer known for his exploration of the brain's hemispheres. His seminal work, "The Master and His Emissary," delves into how the brain's structure affects human behavior, culture, and society, offering insightful perspectives on the cognitive underpinnings of modern challenges.
Daniel Schmachtenberger: Daniel Schmachtenberger is a multidisciplinary thinker dedicated to addressing global existential risks. His work focuses on the intersection of technology, human psychology, and civilization dynamics. He is recognized for his deep insights into systemic health, generative societal design, and strategies for a sustainable and flourishing future.
Glossary of Terms
Metacrisis: A term encompassing various global existential risks and challenges.
Meaning Crisis: The widespread feeling of lack of meaning in modern society.
Relevance Realization: A cognitive process of determining what information is relevant in a given context.
Resources and References:
Dr. John Vervaeke: Website | YouTube | Patreon | X | Facebook
Iain McGilchrist: Website | YouTube | X | Facebook
Daniel Schmachtenberger: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn
John Vervaeke YouTube
Awakening from the Meaning Crisis
Books
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World - Iain McGilchrist
How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization - Mary Eberstadt
The Psychology of Belonging - Kelly-Ann Allen
Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis - John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Filip Miscevic
Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being: Relation as Ontological Ground - James Filler
Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny - Robert Wright
Quotes
"What in the nature of human mind, in the nature of human conditioning experience, we might even find that the term psychology or cognitive drivers are insufficient, which is fine, has brought us here, and what might a different relationship to human mind, psychology, cognition look like that might allow a more viable, better future. Before World War II, there was no risk that we could very quickly destroy the entire habitability of human civilization. That was brought into being with very powerful technology, nuclear weapons. And for the first time ever, we had the ability to make a series of bad decisions and radically change the possibility space of the world" - Daniel Schmachtenberger
"Where there has been a significant drop in IQ, the insult is almost always in the right hemisphere. So, it's very important that the right hemisphere should remain the position of the master. And as long as the emissary follows the direction of the master that sees more, it's very helpful and useful. It's a good servant of a very poor master." - Iain McGilchrist
"The right hemisphere seems to be more in touch with presence, whereas the left hemisphere is more about re-presentation, representing something that is abstracted out of the living world." - Iain McGilchrist
"The prevalence of meaninglessness in modern society can be linked to a lack of purpose and belonging, a critical factor in the development of the metacrisis." - John Vervaeke
Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00:00] Introduction to the Metacrisis
[00:01:04] Defining Metacrisis and Initial Thoughts
[00:08:26] The Role of Brain Hemispheres in Human Experience
[00:21:29] The Meaning Crisis in Modern Society
[00:30:45] Human Mind and Cognition in the Metacrisis
[00:39:42] Exploration of Etiology and Psychological-Environmental Interrelations
[00:58:26] Redefining Purpose: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic
[01:08:16] Hemispheric Imbalance and Its Impact on Civilization
[01:15:25] Rebalancing Power and Wisdom in Influential Figures
[01:39:05] Navigating the Dance of Reason, Authority, and Power
[01:53:19] Imagination in Rational Thinking
[02:02:45] Philosophical Awakening and Global Issues
[02:14:55] Human Responsibility in the Evolution of the Divine
[02:34:15] Fostering Global Wisdom through Pluralism
[02:39:25] The Intersection of Religion and Scale
[02:55:29] Revitalizing Religion for Modern Challenges
[03:05:56] Reimagining Education and Institutional Structures
[03:14:24] Embracing Beauty and Sacred Obligation
Timestamped Highlights
[00:01:04] - Daniel Schmachtenberger introduces the metacrisis topic and its significance.
[00:08:26] - Iain McGilchrist discusses the role of hemispheric differences in shaping human experience and worldviews.
[00:21:29] - John Vervaeke addresses the meaning crisis and its implications in modern society.
[00:30:45] - The panel delves into how the nature of human mind and cognition has contributed to the current state of the world.
[00:39:42] - Exploring the roots of societal issues, highlighting the interplay between psychology and global crises, and the importance of relational human experiences.
[00:58:26] - Discussion on the contrast between intrinsic and extrinsic purposes, emphasizing the need to shift focus from utility to deeper values like relationships, nature, and the sacred.
[01:08:16] - The dialogue critiques the left hemisphere's dominance and its role in driving competitive, destructive outcomes, highlighting the need for a wisdom-based value shift.
[01:15:25] - Exploring the interplay between power, wisdom, and the need to rediscover the sacredness of existence to foster meaningful connections and inspire change in influential individuals.
[01:39:05] - Discussion on the Enlightenment's impact in differentiating reason from pure calculation, stressing the importance of maintaining reason as a balanced, experiential approach to life.
[01:53:19] - The panelists discuss the importance of imagination and aspiration in rational thinking.
[02:04:45] - Reflections on the potential for a new philosophical awakening in addressing global issues.
[02:14:55] - The panelists explore the idea that humans have a role in responding to the divine, facilitating its evolution, and highlight the importance of our responsibility in this process.
[02:34:15] - Vervaeke and McGilchrist advocate for fostering global wisdom by embracing pluralistic philosophies and emphasizing the role of individual and community models.
[02:39:25] - Integrating differentiation in a potential new religion that aligns with existing faiths and addresses contemporary issues is discussed.
[02:55:29] - How existing religions can be reinterpreted to address contemporary issues and foster wisdom development.
[03:05:56] - A call for holistic, integrated education, breaking feedback loops hindering progress, and nurturing wisdom and sacredness in governance and society.
[03:14:24] - Conclusion: The panelists emphasize the importance of nurturing beauty, embracing awe, and recognizing a sacred obligation to protect reality in our ever-changing world.
#455 - Iain McGilchrist - The Wisdom Of Intuition
From the Vault: Split Brain, Part 1
Our brains are composed of two hemispheres, but in what ways are they truly separate? In which ways are they one? In this bisected Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick explore what we’ve learned from split brain experiments in animals and humans. (originally published 1/15/2019)
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