“The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.”
–Alfred North Whitehead
Some key themes that emerge in our dialogue: Jung begins the book with an emotional, active imagination style condemnation of Yahweh’s behavior in the Book of Job. In the second half, he steps back to analyze not just what is going on in Yahweh’s unconscious and in Job, but to look at all of Western civilization… Read more
In my dialogue with Tim Jackson a few days ago, we began exploring perhaps Jung’s most important book, Answer to Job. We’ll be meeting again tomorrow to record a part 2. In the meantime, below are some of my preliminary reflections on the second half of the text. … Jung explores the psychospiritual implications of the biblical… Read more
This recording is our first of at least two dialogues on a book I’ll never be done reading. Below is my own brief summary after re-reading roughly the first half of the text: Physical facts aren’t the only basis for truth. According to Jung, there are also psychic truths, and they are no less valid,… Read more
Tim and I shared our appreciation for Jung, reviewed the charges of anti-semitism, and discussed his enduring relevance (timestamps available on YouTube). Read more
I joined Rupert Sheldrake and David Lorimer to discuss Wulf’s brilliant book on the “Jena set” (the Schlegels, Schiller, Goethe, Caroline, Novalis, Schelling, etc.). Read more
Tim and I were at it again this afternoon. I begin by introducing some ideas from this preprint by Joshua Bongard and Michael Levin: “There’s Plenty of Room Right Here: Biological Systems as Evolved, Overloaded, Multi-scale Machines.” Here are some of the ideas we discussed in this video: Read more
“In one sense philosophy does nothing. It merely satisfies the entirely impractical craving to probe and adjust ideas which have been found adequate each in its special sphere of use. In the same way the ocean tides do nothing. Twice daily they beat upon the cliffs of continents and then retire. But have patience and look deeper; and you find that in the end whole continents of thought have been submerged by philosophic tides, and have been rebuilt in the depths awaiting emergence. The fate of humanity depends upon the ultimate continental faith by which it shapes its action, and this faith is in the end shaped by philosophy.”
—Alfred North Whitehead
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