Ep. 6 - Awakening from the Meaning Crisis - Aristotle, Kant, and Evolution

New videos are released every Friday.
Podcast Links:
•Anchor: anchor.fm/john-vervaeke
•Google Podcasts: www.google.com/podcasts?feed=...
•Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/43gIWKV...
•Breaker: www.breaker.audio/awakening-f...
•Pocket Casts: pca.st/EYU4
•RadioPublic: radiopublic.com/awakening-fro...
Books in the Video:
•Alicia Juarrero - Dynamics in Action: Intentional Behavior as a Complex System
•Eric Perl - Thinking Being: Introduction to Metaphysics in the Classical Tradition
•Francisco Varela, Eleanor Rosch, and Evan Thompson - The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience
Series Playlist: kzbin.info?list...
Chapters:
00:00 introduction
05:16 Aristotle and From
10:11 Newtonian Model
12:41 Circular Explanations
15:41 Feedback Cycles
19:51 Cause vs. Constraint
27:54 Feedback Cycle
34:24 Character
36:31 Socratic Question
41:31 What is Akrasia
43:21 Deep Grammar
43:59 Aristotles Analogy
46:53 Self Moving
50:09 Rationality
52:39 Conclusion
Facebook: / vervaeke.john
Twitter: / vervaeke_john
Sixth episode of Dr. John Vervaeke's Awakening from the Meaning Crisis.

[@denesetler]

"Kant went out and he saw a tree, and this was very problematic for him."

[@juan89801]

@@NootJOne ?

[@NootJOne]

@@juan89801 No idea how that happened. Thanks for pointing it out. Side note: John Vervaeke is a boss!

[@santiagomilano4172]

Philosophers in a nutshell

[@MattFRox]

Thanks for the insight. R u & JBP still buttin' buddies?

[@tensevo]

It moves.....but how?

[@HansBBJJ]

I'm so glad that I found JBP, and even gladder that Jordan brought me here.

[@Inuyashasoy]

I am here thanks to Jordan B. Peterson too. He was a great influence on the last 5 years of my life and thanks to his guidance I stabilized myself and became a more sophisticated person. Just when I felt that I'm ready for more I found out about this series from a talk that Jordan had with John. I have postponed that conversation until I finish this series to understand better what is being talked about. There's so much interesting information in this series that sometimes I have a hard time to keep up and remember everything, but I take my time because so far each episode had moments that felt very enlightening (that A-ha! feeling, like when some bigger parts of a puzzle fall into the right place and you get a bigger picture). Looking forward to this episode

[@HansBBJJ]

@@Inuyashasoy Very glad to hear your experience. Keep at it slow and steady :) I persevered and finished the series. I don't quite agree with John's final conclusions, but I'm still very very grateful to him for the innumerable insights I've gleaned through the process. Best wishes!

[@Jide-bq9yf]

@@Inuyashasoy if I had a dollar for everyone thankful for Jordan Peterson , the archetypical good father .

[@lizellevanwyk5927]

Jordan is to John what John was to Jesus. He prepared the way. No sacrilege or sanctification intended.

[@HansBBJJ]

@@lizellevanwyk5927 hear, hear!

[@username-jc2tp]

"Conditions don't make things happen. They make things possible." *mind blown*

[@josemjerez2140]

"Condition: a situation that must exist before something else is possible or permitted." It's literally the dictionary definition

[@5hydroxyT]

i think it was the contrasting of causation with conditions that was mind blowing!

[@josemjerez2140]

@@5hydroxyT I'm not sure I understood that but the statement is still identical to the definition, so by association you're saying the definition is mindblowing

[@5hydroxyT]

@@josemjerez2140 it was more Vervaeke’s discussion of change and development within the context of biological systems that i found interesting...specifically how conditions are overlooked or misunderstood because we have a tendency to think in more simplistic terms like linear causation. You may be taking the comment out of context...

[@josemjerez2140]

@@5hydroxyT I was commenting on OP’s quote, whatever it is you just wrote was not part of the discussion until the moment you posted it.

[@Igor_lvanov]

I am so proud to be a part of the community of people watching these videos

[@user-qm3xs9eb6m]

John you are amazing. It is so fitting that this series is free, Socrates would be proud.

[@danielantoun6105]

We are blessed to be living in a time where access to such important, deep, and truly life changing content is readily available for FREE. Mr. Vervaeke, you’re well on your way to be as fully human as possible! God bless.

[@yungavelle]

JP constantly interrupting Dr. Vevaeke brought me here and boy am I glad for those interruptions because this series has led to many breakthroughs in Participatory knowing and the whole lot of ideas he's elaborated on. Grateful to JP and Dr. Vevaeke

[@Cloudbutfloating]

Aristotles said: It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. And you Dr.John, you are the that little glimps of light that in this moment of writing this, showed me the light again. Thank you

[@MattFRox]

This is basically everything a western civ course SHOULD be: Holistic and essential. BRILLIANT!!!

[@MattFRox]

@@craigjones8518 I was comparing it to the two semesters of Western Civ. that was a core requirement for all Bachelor Degrees when I was an undergrad.

[@jagpro91]

Take a shot every time he says "structural functional organization" and see how well you can actualize your potential to survive alcohol poisoning. Fantastic series though, this channel/series deserves exponentially more exposure.

[@punjab135]

Fuck Off! We're the Judean peoples front! Is this series is a structural functional organisation?

[@jagpro91]

@@punjab135 Splitters!

[@christophervigil4961]

If I took a shot everytime he said "structural functional organization," then the altered state of consciousness would provide the conditions necessary for insights, particularly regarding topics which surround culture, religion, and the realization, in both senses of the word, of one's character. Of course, all this before I actualized my own, personal version of unconscious behavior.

[@tracywilliamsliterature]

maybe you can hear me as I declare in a very loud voice "that was absolutely brilliant... just brilliant!" loud declaration of profound thanks sent from the UK...

[@phillipmorgan4260]

Ahhh I heard this

[@aydnofastro-action1788]

“You are a match for the World. And the World is a match for you.” - Joseph Campbell

[@ididitagain4899]

6 down, 44 to go. Clinging onto every word and building up my knowledge database in Notion. Can't believe we get this for free. Love all the way from Ukraine sir, you're helping me to get through some tough times.

[@bobby8630]

Hi there, would love to see your notes in notion if you are willing to share 😊

[@SapientEudaimonia]

Heyy. Hope you are doing OK there. ❤

[@U2BE4ALL]

Did u finish? be honest

[@Vgallo]

Pastor vanderklay, the pastor of the idw brought me here.

[@phillipmorgan4260]

He is Maoist

[@marganaapsinthia]

Sir, you to me are what Socrates was to Plato. I am more than content to listen for now and meaningfully connect it to what I've managed to glean on my own, but I also wish there were an academy where I could participate in the conversation. I'd bet many others wish the same. We need more spaces where wisdom can be actualised.

[@David-bo7zj]

There’s a discord server for this series

[@danielgratz4977]

I found this lecture to be deeply challenging emotionally even more than intellectually. I feel like I'm clay being kneaded and (in)formed from the inside out. The discomfort I felt in getting beyond Kant's causality became a churning that seemed to finally coalesce in that question: "what are you doing to cultivate your character?" What other lectures are able to do that!?

[@wenzdayjane]

JBP's biblical series got me primed for three hour lectures. I love these and I wish they were longer. I'm hungry for more John Vervaeke

[@911garebear]

Watch his Cog Sci and Buddhism lecture series

[@carolyncolinhogarth8732]

JV lectures in my opinion are a great lecture series. JBP's lectures if compared, are of a very negative form. I have to confess, I get nothing from them but compassion for JBP. He's more about controversy, but that is his own growth, so it depends on how you look at it. For example: What form do you see him in? Behaviorism of cause & effect, (pain & pleasure) or the Dynamical System Theory form. In the DST it is his own growth he is self organizing in the feedback system that John talks about. What a great series. CDHx2

[@wenzdayjane]

@@911garebear Do you mean the "Thinking and Reasoning" class series?

[@911garebear]

@@wenzdayjane I haven't watched that lecture series yet. There's another series called Cognitive Science and Buddhism that I'm about halfway through

[@wenzdayjane]

@@911garebear oh ok i didn't realize there was another channel! This will give me something to do until Friday - thank you :)

[@spritecut]

By making a comment here the KZbin algorithm cites this video as more interesting to others, hence more likely to be recommended.

[@TheTytoGaurdian]

FOR THE ALGORITHM! HOORAH!

[@imnotbrian]

I honestly can’t believe this is free to view on the internet. Thank you John 👏

[@SapientEudaimonia]

This may be one of my favourite episodes of the series. Dynamical systems theory was paradigm-shifting for me when I first got into contact with it (in the context of the physical and social sciences), and looking at virtue and development within this paradigm is very enlightening.

[@sahandghesmati7606]

How calming this is to me... John Vervaeke is fantastic and i apprecieate the work that went into this. With Jordan Peterson and Iain McGilchrist John enters into my Holy trinity of present intellectuals. Its so great to have you (all of you) here.

[@kathrynzimlich3322]

Hi John, I'm a PhD student studying microbial ecology. I'm giving my first talk to my department next month and I found this video to be very helpful in focusing my thoughts about evolution and translating theories in evolutionary biology from the macro-world into the microbial world. The way you described evolution by natural selection as a series of restricting and enabling constraints feels deeply important, though I'm not exactly sure why yet. Thanks for uploading!

[@MrSofuskroghlarsen]

This series is a gift to mankind. I'm certain that Vervaeke will be remembered for generations to come.

[@billtimmons7071]

As a retired engineer any mention of "systems" gets my attention. At 40:20 is where it come together for me. Your starting to answer my Husserl and Heidegger question I asked in your previous lecture. I hope you will get into what "Being" and "Being - in - the World" really means since I believe the Germans went back to Aristotle to develop their systems of thought. Sidebar ... I read your book "Zombies in Western Culture"... couldn't put it down. Thanks.

[@michaelmorrisinfarsi]

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, John. This series has helped me tremendously. I’m taking charge of my life in a way I have never before. Thank you so much 🙏

[@sayedshamsunazarfatimisham2441]

yes

[@noahweikert9367]

Every time I rewatch this video series a little more knowledge is gained. What he is explaining is timeless knowledge.

[@waynemcmillan5970]

John, Your series on meaning is brilliant. The University of Toronto Psychology Dept seems to be intellectually on fire. At age 63 I am now feeling enthused to do more studies in your area.

[@neethy1836]

"Kant went out and he saw a tree. This was very problematic for him" me too Kant

[@SavoryShredZ]

"Triangle!" 🤣Love these!

[@antoniobarbalau1107]

This lecture changed my perspective in so many ways I'm not even sure I'm aware of all of them. The concept that the world is made of matter and patterns and how they interact and the idea of expansion and selection are so profound and so illuminating and useful it's beyond belief. Thank you for everything prof. Vervaeke ♥️ This helped me so much in understanding my work better and finding meaning in my career ♥️ You are a miracle ♥️

[@poofcucumber2446]

Thank you John. I was first introduced to your material through your dialogue with Jordan Peterson and Johnathan Pageau, and have found these lectures to be so engaging. They’ve opened up a whole world of thought for me that I’m incredibly grateful for.

[@garyleeparker]

This series has been a revelation. Thank you!

[@MattFRox]

Minute 52: “Ur purpose is to become fully human as possible.” I came to this conclusion a while ago although I didn’t put all the work in to get there. I’m very appreciative for the work this gentleman is doing.

[@kostaa5665]

This is one of the best lectures of all time, in any subject. Thank you, Professor.

[@robrick9361]

It would be hilarious if one of these was something completely random, like him baking a cake. Then the next one is back to the Awakening explanation without ever addressing the random cake baking episode.

[@maurodegrandejunior5513]

Thank you John for this amazing work. Its a great gift for all of us that are awakening. I wish that these classes last for ages here, as they can enhance our character and support the purpose of many of us.

[@aek64]

This series is amazing. Thank you John!

[@Mevlinous]

John is an incredible speaker.

[@mialmastaposeia]

A gift for humanity. Can't thank you enough

[@adm58]

Absolutely fantastic series John, thank you so much for your work on this and for sharing it with us all.

[@baroquecat2295]

Another great lecture, thanks so much for uploading!!

[@vitorjose3751]

Great work John! Thanks for these lectures!

[@spiveeforever7093]

i love the dual meaning of "inform", give shape to objects, give propositions to people, but simultaneously give propositions to objects and shape to people

[@nicberry4893]

This has been my favorite of the series so far. I will be watching this a few more times...

[@1993HBh]

Cannot get enough! Amazing! Thank you 🙏

[@1993HBh]

Amazing! Thank you for this content!

[@L4sz10]

That was intense! Great lecture!

[@mariaclaraparente5568]

thank you so much for sharing

[@anthonykrkovski650]

Thanks again Verkaeke amazing!!

[@StevenCleghorn]

This series is a treasure.

[@renatak5680]

Your lectures are priceless! Thank you so much. It's a real pleasure and honour to be able to listen to them.

[@yarkosnarko]

outstanding work, genius, thank you

[@stephen-torrence]

14:00 Homuncular Fallacy = "It's just Turtles all the way down!" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@antonyliberopoulos933]

Thank you John.

[@frncscbtncrt]

This is breathtaking

[@daneracamosa]

Thank you for your time and labor... I am enjoying the discussion...

[@johncerdena]

Love this lecture. Moving on to the next. 😊

[@reidelliot1972]

The fact that this content is freely accessible is as radical as it is benevolent. Thank you for imparting such indelible truths.

[@leedufour]

Thanks John.

[@leeroyescu]

39:54 _Listen to my language_ I would like to welcome John to the pantheon of dictionary sages. Along with Rich Hickey (Clojure), Kevlin Henney, Rich Harris (Svelte) and others these people illuminate our lives with the torch of clarity using the modest yet dazzling approach of looking up what words actually mean and where they come from. Thanks! 👏

[@Beederda]

I appreciate YOUR time JV ❤️🍄 this is amazing work you’ve done

[@abbasmollaev4770]

Thank you Professor!

[@vo2897]

Thank You John! Amazing content Really stretching my mind Much appreciated

[@daNihilism]

I see such a nice hyperlinking back to most of the content that you been part of. This nexus of dense interconnecting information is an amazing resource. I framed Socrates as a pagan prophet and had my 70 year old mother watch your Socrates video. During you talk there was a nice realization of what it is I have been talking about my whole life.

[@shinobi_raccoon]

Rafe Kelley's podcast brought me here. Burning through this series. You're an excellent lecturer, Mr. Vervaeke!

[@gertpietersen6287]

Nice marker pens this time round! Much love for this series!

[@timyoung4083]

This is so relevant

[@d.r.m.m.]

Thank you, John, for everything you are giving of yourself to others who you are unlikely to ever meet (including myself), through these lectures.

[@KingJorman]

This is an important lecture for me. And I just realized that Moshe Feldenkrais of the Feldenkrais method worked with options and constraints to optimize growth and learning. Very cool association!

[@Itisparsa]

I'm on ep6 and already imagining myself to watch this course over and over again till I die. Thx for the light and wisdom you've shared with us

[@kipling1957]

Brilliant!

[@michaele4151]

51:53 and the Bene Gesserits go wild!

[@tedoymisojos]

Thanks for sharing this, it contrasts quite a bit from what I've listened from eastern philosophy.

[@trissvelvel8499]

I'm in love with the way you explain words as metaphores revealing their deeper meaning and it fascinates me - I'm trying to map it into my native language (Polish) and it's so difficult! Respect!

[@twac750]

Very grateful these lectures are available online for free. Awesome stuff. This lecture is especially packed with insights. Great job weaving all of this together for us. Impressive.

[@GingerDrums]

36:25 made me "wow" out loud. WOL

[@churchofprometheus8898]

Who or what is the "I" cultivating my character?

[@toshe21]

Every single video is thorough, deep and so engaging. What makes them even more profound, is how these concepts are unfolding and explained in a way that you grasp it. Amazing work, John, thank you, I feel like being your student and without doubt, having those publicly placed is simply invaluable. Now, realizing that question is too early to ask, as much as I've nearly reached 1/8rd, think it's still worth to. From what I understand, one of the biggest problem of human being declining from wisdom cultivation (even when knowing what must be achieved) is a bad memory. We tend to give away experience easily, forgetting what it took for us to reach to the point where we are, what we've been gone through. And there is no simple answer or solution to this, partially because we have habits deeply embedded, or as you've said, we don't sufficiently acknowledge contribution which is laid-out in perspective. How to tackle this? Does it worth to defend your opinion and sacrifice your needs even no one near understands that (or does, but don't share those beliefs in a way to support/develop on their own). For me answer is clear - yes, as this is the right thing to do, however, you need a character to develop, before you inarguably can firmly stand on the ground and even drag others. This is not easy at all and not everything depends on your actions. I should say however, that if you stop trying, you're done, doomed to serve for other's needs only, as much as struggle to identify your own commitment. Reflection & feedback can be practiced (meditation), getting back to turning points of your life, feeling that moment you've failed that can serve you as an alert for you to stay off from self-destructive behaviors and move on to new course. But what else? How to retain your character steady and confident in social environment?

[@5hydroxyT]

wow...your discussion about causation and constraints in biology was incredibly profound. The conflation of the two is something i see all the time in medicine. best talk yet!

[@bradericsson]

This series is what I've been searching for. I also just started jiu-jitsu so my internal conflict is become in some ways an external conflict.

[@conforzo]

Passion of Prof. John

[@nugokapanadze8689]

Thank you!

[@gridcoregilry666]

Every episode has it's own mind blowing moments... and there are many of them in each... love from Germany!

[@donpaco6536]

Wirklich aller erste Sahne was der hier liefert.

[@zeljkasotra5572]

Grateful for your genersity. Thank you for this enlightenment.

[@ioanmarcus1238]

These courses are absolutely fantastic. I never met before such a wonderful way to deepen my knowledge in so various fields of phylosophy and psychology. Thank you so much Professor Vervaeke.

[@ApexBit980]

When I was 18, I watched Gregory b sadlers playlist on plato, Aristotle and Socrates. This channel is giving me strong vibes and relating to his channel a lot.

[@seabasst-coffee709]

Thank you.

[@OfCourseICan]

This Man's mind is so deep, what a gift this series is. I would love to have beer with John. Come down to Aussie and it's my shout Mate.

[@Pneumanon]

Definitely worth a re-watch. Everything comes together nicely from around the 30:00 minute mark.

[@omarmiz]

This series is epic

[@mosesgarcia9443]

Thank great Jedi Master....I love your passion

[@invin7215]

That statement, "Your purpose is to become as fully human as possible" really had an impact on me. I hadn't even considered that before - the idea that that would be enough purpose in itself.

[@saintsword23]

I have never understood this phrase. I've heard people say it before. I'm already human and thus it seems like no purpose at all, as the very idea of purpose means there's some motion from where I am to where I am trying to go.

[@mouwersor]

@@saintsword23 But you haven't developed all your potentialities

[@Vgallo]

We need an akirathedon mix of these lectures!!

[@josephgagliano6145]

Holy shit! This is incredible.

[@jordanedgeley6601]

Thank you

[@mohamedmahmoudabdellahi4807]

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, Amazing….

[@arthurv321]

I wish this series had a workbook or a small questionnaire. Even a glossary. That would help with retaining the knowledge

[@johnvervaeke]

There is a book version coming out early next year that has an extended glossary.

[@arthurv321]

@johnvervaeke wow. Thank you for the reply! I'm getting through this series now and it's AMAZING! Thank you for putting this out there for us to learn and grow from

[@johnvervaeke]

@@arthurv321 You are very welcome.

[@ScarFace1496-]

@@johnvervaekeThere is a BOOK VERSION of this series coming out?!?!

[@aellsworth5050]

All my life up until now I thought I was no different from a tornado... (these videos are incredible)

[@hazardousjazzgasm129]

Am I the only one depressed that Vervaeke isn't as popular as JBP?

[@marcoscueva637]

Doesn't have to be. Maybe JBP is too popular. But I agree that it would be cool if he reach broader audiences.

[@Valosken]

The world is not yet ready for Vervaeke. But eventually, it will be, and these kinds of ideas will revolutionise everything.

[@paullee1566]

Vervaeke would have to come up with an equally compelling shtick. Since old-timey preacherman is taken, I'd suggest, just spitballing here, a Mr. Smith, two-tone ska-suit type of thing?

[@nickshelbourne4426]

@@paullee1566 "A message to you... fellow humans stuck in the meaning crisis"

[@Sopranohooper]

He doesn't have as much stuff out there yet, and hasn't been on the scene as long. Give him a minute.

[@robynbonnycastle8933]

Karin, where are your lovely summaries and vocab/definition lists on this vid? I found them helpful for my note taking

[@suvaskhati8161]

Yeah I was looking for her.