Redefining God, Reason, and Freedom with D.C. Schindler and Ken Lowry

Dr. John Vervaeke

In this episode of Voices with Vervaeke, Dr. John Vervaeke, Ken Lowry, and D.C. Schindler challenge conventional perspectives on God, reason, freedom, and community through the lenses of Neoplatonism and Hegelian philosophy. They deconstruct what it means to 'belong,' exploring the concept of 'home' not just as a physical space but as a philosophical construct tied to our intrinsic nature. The dialogue orbits around key principles like spirit, freedom, and the evolution of collective intelligence, or 'Geist.' They discuss Hegel's paradoxical views on Christianity, freedom's misunderstood definition in modern culture, and the transformative power of vows like marriage. Throughout the discussion, the panel navigates the nuanced terrains of reason, rationality, and individual vs. communal freedoms, offering listeners intellectual nourishment and fresh perspectives.

Resources:

D.C. Schindler: Website

Ken Lowry: YouTube | Substack | X

John Vervaeke: Website | Patreon | Facebook | X | YouTube

The Vervaeke Foundation

Books

Making It Explicit: Reasoning, Representing, and Discursive Commitment - Robert Brandom

Reason in Philosophy: Animating Ideas - Robert Brandom

A Spirit of Trust: A Reading of Hegel’s Phenomenology - Robert Brandom

Incomprehensible Certainty: Metaphysics and Hermeneutics of the Image - Thomas Pfau

Phenomenology of Spirit - G. W. F. Hegel

Nihilism (Carthage Reprint) - Stanley Rosen

The Psychology of Belonging - Kelly-Ann Allen

Supernatural Selection: How Religion Evolved - Matt Rossano

Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis - John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, and Filip Miscevic

Freedom from Reality: The Diabolical Character of Modern Liberty - D.C. Schindler

Publications

The Enactment of Shared Agency in Teams Exploring Mars Through Rovers - Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke

The Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission - Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke

Distributed Cognition and the Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission - Dan Chiappe, John Vervaeke

Articles

Did Meditating Make Us Human? - Matt J. Rossano

Genocide, Domicide and the Unnamed - Brian Walsh

Timecodes:

[00:00:00] John Vervaeke introduces the episode and his guests, Ken Lowry and D. C. Schindler.

[00:02:18] Vervaeke and Dan Chiappe's book project is revealed: exploring the psychology, cognitive science, and philosophy around reason and rationality.

[00:04:33] The main topic of the episode is introduced: a daring reconceptualization of God, reason, freedom, and Geist.

[00:07:33] D.C. Schindler delves into Hegel's nuanced relationship with Christianity, providing intellectual scaffolding for the dialogue.

[00:09:52] Schindler's description of Hegel's concept of spirit underscores the social nature of consciousness.

[00:16:17] Vervaeke touches on the critique of Hegel by Stanley Rosen, introducing alternative viewpoints.

[00:19:40] Hegel's often-overlooked relationship with nature is put under the spotlight.

[00:24:28] Vervaeke introduces 'niche construction' in biology, challenging Darwinian notions and tying back to the concept of 'home'.

[00:27:51] The psychological and social implications of 'home' are unpacked by Vervaeke.

[00:30:59] Schindler highlights the role of the hearth, tying it back to human development and spirituality.

[00:33:15] Vervaeke delves into the hypnotic nature of fire and its evolutionary relevance.

[00:37:35] D.C. Schindler posits the necessity of an 'absolute' in community formation, adding another layer to the discussion.

[00:40:00] Hegel's master-slave dialectic and its connection to freedom are introduced by Schindler.

[00:45:01] Ken Lowry discusses the modern definition of freedom and how it undermines the concept of community and interpersonal relationships.

[00:48:00] Vervaeke dissects the flaws in associating freedom with economic choice.

[00:53:20] Freedom and forgiveness are seamlessly tied together by Vervaeke.

[01:00:47] Schindler’s critique of Aristotle through Plotinus adds depth to the discussion on the concept of 'good'.

[01:08:42] The Aristotelian notion of nature is explored by Schindler, touching upon the idea of intrinsic motion.

[01:13:29] Schindler gives a poetic touch, with the essence of beauty being the 'surprise from the other'.

[01:17:48] Ken Lowry highlights the importance of reflecting on concepts like freedom, rationality, and love.