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John Vervaeke: If We Don't Address Nihilism, Democracies Will Erode Into Narcissistic Egocentrism

Společná řeč

V rozhovorech řešíme aktuální společenské otázky, především možná ohrožení svobod a demokracie. U mikrofonu se střídají kolegové z Institutu H21, hosté z Česka i ze světa.

In the podcast, John Vervaeke discussed the ongoing meaning crisis facing modern democracy and its potential solutions. Vervaeke, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto and an expert in cognitive psychology and wisdom traditions, argued that the current political climate is plagued by a lack of shared meaning and purpose. He suggested that addressing this crisis requires a renewed focus on fostering wisdom and cultivating a sense of community and connection among citizens. He also discussed the meaning of left–right political spectrum and institutions. Recorded in September 2022.

In his own words the meaning crisis is: "at the root of modern crises of mental health, the response to environmental collapse, and the political system. We are drowning in bullshit—literally "meaninglessness". We feel disconnected from ourselves, each other, the world, and a viable future. Deeper than social media problems, political problems, even economic problems. They're deeply historical, cultural problems. Getting out of this crisis is tremendously hard and requires transformation in our cognition, culture, and communities. How can we find a solution? We have to reach even more deeply into the past to salvage the resources we can for such an amazing challenge. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, Jesus of Nazareth, Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha. Also modern figures like Jung, Nietzsche, Heidegger. Current work being done by psychologists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, neuroscientists."

John Vervaeke has been teaching at the University of Toronto since 1994 and became an Associate Professor in 2019. He currently teaches courses in the Psychology department on thinking and reasoning with an emphasis on insight problem solving, cognitive development with an emphasis on the dynamical nature of development, and higher cognitive processes with an emphasis on intelligence, rationality, mindfulness, and the Psychology of wisdom.

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John Vervaeke: If We Don't Address Nihilism, Democracies Will Erode Into Narcissistic Egocentrism

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