Mark Solms began translating Freud's neuroscientific writings in the late 1980s, then gave twenty-nine years to revising the translation of Freud's psychological works. In this episode, Solms joins Andrea Hiott to talk about his new book, The Only Cure: Freud and the Neuroscience of Mental Healing — and to make a surprising case: that far from being the discredited figure many take him for, Freud built a model of the mind, from the inside, that modern neuroscience is now confirming from the outside.

Together they explore multiple memory systems and the unconscious as things we repeat rather than remember; why transference is a far bigger phenomenon than its jargon suggests; the damage done by the "chemical imbalance" story of depression; the stubborn role of time in real change; and, in the end, care — the idea that psychoanalysis is ultimately a cure by love. Throughout, they return to the show's animating theme: holding paradox, and refusing the false choice between the subjective and the objective, feeling and fact.

(Please see here for all the papers to really look into the serotonin debate. It is nuanced and requires study and deep thought.)

Andrea & Mark also discuss dual-aspect monism, subjective and objective perspectives, multiple memory systems, unconscious processing, state-dependent memory, and transference as the enactment of non-declarative “action policies” that therapy makes visible and revisable through repeated working-through over time. Solms links these ideas to care, politics, and mortality, ending with Freud’s “cure by love,” followed by Andrea reading Seamus Heaney’s “From The Cure at Troy.”

About the guest: Mark Solms is a neuropsychologist, psychoanalyst, and world-leading pioneer of neuropsychoanalysis. He discovered the brain mechanisms of dreaming, serves as science director of the American Psychoanalytic Association, and is the translator and editor of the Revised Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. His previous book was The Hidden Spring (2021).

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
03:50 Freud Translator Journey
05:20 Why Call It Cure
07:00 Reframing Freud Today
11:41 Freud as Neuroscientist
19:57 Memory Systems and Unconscious
31:41 Subjective Meets Objective
39:08 Chemical Imbalance Myth
43:23 Needs Feelings and Therapy
51:03 Pills Versus Talking
52:09 Limits Of Medication
53:31 When Pills Help
54:41 What Is Transference
56:04 Infantile Amnesia
57:17 Interpreting Patterns
01:01:25 Why Therapy Takes Time
01:04:46 Cost Versus Care
01:10:59 Teddy And Polypharmacy
01:19:20 Short Termism Trap
01:23:13 Cure By Love
01:25:37 AI Therapy Limits
01:31:25 Mortality And Meaning
01:34:55 Closing Thanks
01:36:09 Heaney Poem Easter Egg

KEY THEMES

Freud was a neuroscientist first. Over 23 years he contributed to neuron theory, neuroanatomy, and clinical neurology. His 1891 work on aphasia reframed language as a psychological function — the seed of psychoanalysis. Because his neuroscientific writings were never translated into English, this side of Freud stayed invisible.

Two perspectives on one thing. Solms argues for dual-aspect monism: the subjective and objective are two views of a single reality, not rival teams. Feelings can only be empirically observed through introspection — leave them out and you lose half the causal picture.

Memory, the unconscious, and transference. Freud anticipated the modern model of multiple memory systems decades early. Unconscious memories aren't recalled as images; they're repeated as "motor policies." Transference is that repetition made visible — and naming it gives the patient the freedom to revise it ("free won't").

Against the "chemical imbalance" myth. The claim that depression is a serotonin deficiency is, for Solms, both conceptually incoherent and empirically disproven. Bad feelings are signals of unmet needs. Medication has a real but limited role — it changes your state, not who you are.

Time, care, and cure by love. Real change is slow because procedural memories are "hard to learn and hard to forget." Therapy works partly as re-parenting, drawing on the mammalian capacity for care. Cure and care share the Latin root cura — and Solms ends on Freud's phrase that psychoanalysis is "a cure by love."

NOTABLE MOMENTS

"One doesn't cure symptomatically. One cures causally." "They're not remembered, they're repeated." "It's called not free will, it's called free won't." "Computers don't give a damn." "Reality always wins."

MENTIONED & FURTHER READING

• The Only Cure: Freud and the Neuroscience of Mental Healing — Mark Solms
• The Hidden Spring (2021) — Mark Solms
• The Revised Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (2024) — translated/edited by Solms
• Holding Paradox: The Navigational Approach to Mind and Consciousness — Andrea Hiott
• Referenced thinkers & ideas: Sigmund Freud, Baruch Spinoza (dual-aspect monism), Hilary Putnam (functionalism), Edward Tolman (multiple memory systems), B. F. Skinner, Donald Hebb, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, 4E cognition and enactivism, Philip Ball, and Freud's letter to Einstein.

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Molyneux's Question with Janet Levin and Brian Glenney

Love & Philosophy — Beyond Dichotomy

In 1688, an Irish scientist named William Molyneux sent John Locke a letter with a question in it. Suppose a man born blind has learned by touch to tell a cube from a sphere. Suppose he is given sight, and the two objects are set on a table in front of him. Could he tell, by looking alone, which is which?

Locke said no, and put the question into the second edition of his Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Berkeley said no more emphatically. Leibniz said yes — with a hint, and a little time. And three centuries later the question is still open, only now it's being asked in operating theatres in New Delhi, in habituation studies with ten-hour-old infants, and in the way a skateboarder looks at a handrail.

Janet Levin and Brian Glenney have been in conversation about this problem since Brian's dissertation defense in 2007, where Janet was on his committee. They still disagree (productively) about whether you need to move your body in order to see. This episode is that disagreement, twenty years on.

Janet Levin is recently retired from the philosophy department at the University of Southern California. She works on the mind-body problem, phenomenal concepts, and what she calls the philosophy of philosophy: whether thought experiments are worth anything, and whether they can absorb empirical information and still count as philosophy. Her 2008 paper introduced the distinction between temporal and epistemic immediacy that has shaped how the Molyneux question is tested ever since.

Brian Glenney teaches at Norwich University in Vermont. He wrote his dissertation on Molyneux's problem at USC in 2007 under James Van Cleve and Janet Levin, wrote the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on the question, and has since argued for a pluralist answer — that the question has many correct answers depending on who is being asked about, and how. He also works on skateboarding, urban space, and the sensory expertise he calls the skater's eye.

Full show notes

• 00:00 — Why a navigational approach to mind keeps running into this question
• 02:20 — Introductions: phenomenal concepts, sensory expertise, and Bernie Sanders at the skate park
• 05:20 — Janet reads Locke's own statement of the question, and his answer
• 08:00 — Why this was supposed to be the crucial experiment for empiricism vs. rationalism
• 10:30 — The 1688 letter Locke never answered, and the 1693 one he did
• 12:00 — Molyneux, Dioptrica Nova, and the attempt to give empiricism experimental oomph
• 14:00 — Why Locke buried the question in a passage about perceptual learning
• 15:00 — Common sensibles: what touch and sight might share
• 17:00 — Locke's "at first sight" trick, and what it forecloses
• 19:30 — Passivity vs. activity: if you move your head, is it still perception?
• 20:40 — Leibniz's cheat code, and the birth of epistemic immediacy
• 22:20 — Janet's distinction: temporal immediacy vs. epistemic immediacy
• 24:15 — Held (2011) and the best evidence for a "no"
• 27:30 — Andrea's caricature: two languages, or one idea?
• 29:30 — Why restored vision isn't normal vision — and the paradox that follows
• 31:00 — Vision and touch as English and Russian; Leibniz as the bilingual child
• 33:30 — Janet on phenomenal concepts and why Molyneux caught her
• 35:40 — Did you know Adam Smith had a theory of perception? He wrote it at fifteen
• 37:50 — Brian finds his own ancestor in the archive: George Glennie, Aberdeen, 1796
• 40:15 — The moon illusion, and how Janet and Brian actually met
• 41:20 — The dissertation with six chapters, and the one revision that changed everything
• 42:30 — Maybe there isn't a single correct answer
• 47:15 — Project Prakash: five subjects, three days of play, and a fast yes
• 51:30 — Janet's counter-proposal: what if you only tweak vision?
• 55:20 — Bumpy pacifiers, baby chicks, and the ten-hour-old infants who disagree
• 58:50 — The six-month-old who recognizes its own hand
• 01:01:00 — Nobody frames it as empiricism vs. rationalism anymore
• 01:03:20 — The couch potato perceiver and the sentient statue
• 01:05:50 — Could virtual reality run the experiment we can't?
• 01:07:00 — Path dependency: every subject arrives with a history
• 01:11:20 — The blind Rubik's Cube puzzler, and whether expertise transfers
• 01:15:00 — "Give me something I care about": motivation as the missing variable
• 01:19:10 — Why does perception have to be passive at all?
• 01:22:20 — Andrea: what if it isn't yes or no?
• 01:26:50 — Ned Block and the border between seeing and thinking
• 01:29:20 — The skater's eye: knowledge in the heel rather than the head
• 01:33:00 — Enactivism, affordances, and the motivation Brian adds to them
• 01:36:30 — Janet puts a lock on the back gate
• 01:39:20 — Do you still care about this? Plato's cave, Reid, and the seduction of the external world

Some words that come up

Empiricism / rationalism — The organizing quarrel of the era. Empiricists (Locke, Berkeley, Hume) hold that knowledge is built up from sense experience. Rationalists (Leibniz) hold that some ideas are innate and amodal — not owned by any single sense. Molyneux's question was supposed to settle it experimentally.

Common sensibles — Properties like shape, figure, and distance that seem accessible to more than one sense. Colour isn't one; neither is roughness. The question is whether a common sensible is genuinely shared, or whether you have to learn to correlate two separate streams.

At first sight — Locke's three-word addition, and, as Brian argues, a trick: it more or less guarantees the answer is no, if perceptual learning is needed to make the correlations.

Temporal immediacy vs. epistemic immediacy — Janet's distinction. Temporal means the first instant after the bandages come off, which is probably what Locke meant. Epistemic means the identification is made by perception rather than by inference or association — so you wait until the person actually has the wherewithal to see, and only then test. It reframes what a fair experiment even looks like.

Perceptual learning — Changes in what you can perceive that come from experience rather than reasoning. Locke's newly sighted person sees a flat, variously coloured circle before they see a sphere.

Passivity vs. activity — Locke assumed perception is passive reception, and that anything active is cognition. So: is moving your head still perceiving? Is watching an object rotate? The whole episode circles this.

The perception/cognition border — The contemporary form of the same question, now central to philosophy of mind through Ned Block's work.

Phenomenal concepts — Concepts of what it's like to have an experience: to see red, to feel something smooth. Janet's long-standing interest, and her route into Molyneux.

Affordances / enactivism — Gibson's idea that we perceive the world in terms of what it lets us do, developed by Alva Noë and others. Brian adds a motivational layer: the skater doesn't just see that the handrail is skateable, they want to skate it.

• Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690; Molyneux's question added to the 1694 second edition), Book II, Ch. IX, §8. Full text at Project Gutenberg
• Molyneux's first letter to Locke, 7 July 1688 — the one Locke never answered. The second, in 1693, is the one that made it into the Essay. Molyneux had in the meantime dedicated his optics treatise Dioptrica Nova (1692) to Locke.
• Marjolein Degenaar & Gert-Jan Lokhorst, "Molyneux's Problem", Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — the standard scholarly overview. plato.stanford.edu/entries/molyneux-problem
• Brian Glenney, "Molyneux's Question", Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy — Brian's own entry, and the best place to start. iep.utm.edu/molyneux
• Michael J. Morgan, Molyneux's Question: Vision, Touch and the Philosophy of Perception (Cambridge, 1977) — the classic history.
• Denis Diderot's Letter on the Blind (1749) is where the two-dimensional version of the question first appears — roughly fifty years after Locke,

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Charlie has been gathering some of the best scientists in the world to rethink what agency is together and form new connections outside the usual academic constraints

Join Andrea in NYC this week here.

Today's guest is Charlie Munford, president of the Agential Biology Institute, and he has been gathering some of the best scientists and philosophers in the world together to rethink agency. Andrea and Charlie have a personal, meandering conversation that moves from family life stories to foundational questions in biology, education, evolution, and meaning. Munford recounts growing up in Mississippi, wilderness canoe trips, Yale literature and polo, organic agriculture studies in Cuba, farming and a New Orleans wild boar sausage business, and a later personal crisis that pushed him into researching chronic disease and biological agency. He argues mainstream gene-centered biology assumes blind variation, but evidence for inherited acquired changes and directional adaptation (horizontal gene transfer, planaria pattern memory, small-RNA inheritance in worms and mammals, maternal grooming effects, genetic assimilation) suggests a missing causal layer and universal cellular learning. They discuss natural selection, Darwin and Lamarck, Barbara McClintock, a Karl Popper “active Darwinism” lecture, ABI’s testable hypotheses, and openness, creativity, and care.

00:00 Welcome and Brooklyn Invite
04:20 Meet Charlie Munford
04:35 Banana Couch Story
05:49 Kids and Creativity
08:48 Mississippi to Yale Adventures
15:17 Farming Cuba and Sausage Business
18:40 Crisis Sparks Biology Questions
21:38 Agential Biology Explained
30:04 Lamarck Darwin and Natural Selection
36:45 Evidence for Inherited Change
46:21 McClintock and Popper Teaser
47:51 Cells Sense Not Code
48:36 Genes Aren't Difference Makers
49:45 Popper Versus Selfish Gene
54:06 Agency Without Theology
55:11 Horizontal Gene Transfer
58:34 Three Testable Agency Ideas
01:00:00 Popper And Falsification
01:06:05 Episolution And Cellular Mind
01:12:58 Harmonic Resonance And Sleep
01:17:12 Attention And Surprise Learning
01:20:33 Personal Journey And Meaning
01:26:24 Love Openness And Invitation
01:30:16 Otter Story Farewell

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Andrea, Yogi and Marcus are forming Paradoxis. This is one of the conversations towards that, a Third Space episode of Love & Philosophy.
Philosopher Andrea Hiott sits down with artist and facilitator Marcus Neustetter and biologist-philosopher Johannes "Yogi" Jaeger for a wide-ranging conversation about working in the space between art and science. The two have collaborated for about six years as part of The ZoNE, a transdisciplinary collective they run in Vienna alongside artist Bronwyn Lace and curator Başak Şenova.

Marcus and Yogi introduce each other, then talk through how their collaboration actually works: not illustration-for-hire, but a genuine co-production where a text and a drawing "wrap themselves around each other" into something neither could have made alone. From there the conversation moves through constraints and "staying alive," productive tension, performance and vulnerability, the trickster, space and context, institutions and gatekeeping, conflict and tolerance, and finally care and love.

The episode also introduces the paradox project (referred to in the audio as "Paradoxis"), a shared piece of writing on treating paradox as a practice and performance, and the idea of building offline "circles of trust," a concept Andrea draws from her earlier conversation with Parker Palmer.

Read PARADOXIS here.

Watch the ZoNE talks here.

Link to Zone talks Andrea mentions on the Zone channel with one of her favorite philosophers. And the one with Julian Gough on Egg and Rock.

Topics covered

• How Marcus and Yogi met and why they were both looking for a "third space" between art and science
• The Perspective Studio methodology and collective co-creation
• Constraints, co-construction and "staying alive" as an organizing principle drawn from evolutionary biology
• Productive tension vs. problem-solving; adaptation over optimization
• Finite games vs. infinite play, and "serious play"
• Performance, persona, authenticity and vulnerability
• The trickster figure and the danger of putting narcissists "in charge"
• Space, context and embodiment (including a 10-second listening exercise)
• Institutions, gatekeeping, decolonizing spaces, and the "plastic mushroom in the Pompidou"
• Conflict, tolerance, "overlapping consensus" and "coherence from difference"
• Care, love, and the shadow — seeing "the person behind the persona"

People, projects and references mentioned

• Love & Philosophy — Andrea Hiott's podcast and Substack
• The ZoNE — the art/science collective (Lace, Neustetter, Jaeger, Şenova); see also the Makers page and Actions/notation log
• The emerging book Beyond the Age of Machines / Expanding Possibilities — the manifesto and chapters referenced throughout, published chapter by chapter
• Perspective Studio — the workshop/facilitation methodology
• Andrea Hiott's Holding Paradox and her Embracing Paradox guide
• Andrea talking with Parker Palmer — "circles of trust"
• James Carse — Finite and Infinite Games
• Hanzi Freinacht — "serious/existential play"
• Tyson Yunkaporta — Sand Talk (the trickster)
• Ludwig Wittgenstein — "whereof we cannot speak…"
• Plato — the allegory of the cave
• Michael Schmidt-Salomon — the paradox of tolerance
• John Rawls — "overlapping consensus"
• Carl Sagan — the gas-giant "blobs" thought experiment
• Patricia Martin — Will the Future Like You?
• Declan Donnellan and Sophie Fiennes — on performance and theatre (episodes Andrea mentions are forthcoming)
• Anathi Konjwa and Micca Manganye — performers in Marcus's Johannesburg short-film anecdote
• Steven Hobbs — Marcus's longtime South African collaborator

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Why Caring Isn't Self-Sacrifice with Elissa Strauss

The episode of Love and Philosophy introduces a conversation with journalist and essayist Elissa Strauss, author of When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others, framed by the host’s view of care as an embodied, orienting force and “minds as actions.” Strauss distinguishes “caring,” social-status “not caring,” collective/kumbaya care, and “dependency care,” which she calls a “Hotel California” relationship you can’t easily exit; she argues dependency care is fraught, messy, and misunderstood when treated as pure altruism. She describes moving from fast-paced feminist journalism and a policy lens on U.S. caregiving failures (including lack of federal paid leave) to a deeper account of motherhood’s embodied realities, attention, and moments of union and estrangement with children. The discussion links care ethics (Gilligan, Noddings, Kittay) with Iris Murdoch and Simone Weil on unselfing and attention, critiques binary labels that assume we are all always one thing or the other related to ideas like “trad wife,” explores caring-for versus caring-about and the “glass door” separating home from public value, and connects care to economics, interdependence, faith as “wrestling,” and intergenerational “sandwich” caregiving.

Elissa's Book When You Care
Elissa's Substack: https://elissa.substack.com/

We All Care

the Navigational Approach to Mind
Heat by H.D.

Care of Things episode mentioned here

00:00 Trad Wife Label
00:48 Embodied Parenting
01:55 Estrangement Moments
02:57 Care Philosophy Intro
05:25 Care Ethics Primer
09:35 Care Economics Value
11:55 Poem Heat Reading
17:18 Defining Care Buckets
19:19 Dependency Care Explained
22:20 Writing Career Origins
25:53 Motherhood Identity Shift
30:32 Beyond Binary Labels
33:15 Embodied Early Motherhood
33:52 Embodied Early Motherhood
36:18 Attention and Listening
39:00 Touch Versus Screens
42:27 Dependency Care Awakening
46:25 Unselfing as Parenting North Star
49:54 Estrangement and Return
52:39 Faith as Wrestling
55:45 Finding Care Ethics
01:00:21 Gilligan Noddings Validation
01:05:46 Caring For Versus About
01:08:16 Shame and the Glass Door
01:09:44 Glass Door Feminism
01:10:48 Care Work Counts
01:13:00 Tradwife Backlash
01:15:12 Money Meets Meaning
01:16:19 Care Beyond Maintenance
01:20:47 Home Everywhere Politics
01:25:05 Figure Eight Care
01:27:42 Parenting as Process
01:31:51 Love Clarity and Illusion
01:35:54 Sandwich Caregiving Crunch
01:41:08 Wired to Care Together
01:43:55 Closing and Where to Find

Care Ethics

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Isabella Granic on Liminal Learning, Neither Nor, and Education for Flourishing

Andrea Hiott introduces a guest podcast from Life Itself, Jacob Kishere interviews developmental psychologist Isabella Granic about “education for flourishing” ahead of the Human Transformation in a Time of Metacrisis conference at Harvard. Granic describes shifting from studying anxiety and depression as psychopathology to seeing them as adaptive responses, and focuses on prevention by designing social contexts that support resilience and thriving. She frames learning as liberation from inherited narratives and introduces the “neither nor” framework, developed with philosopher Bryan Kam, which teaches oscillation between conceptual and experiential ways of knowing. Granic explains Liminal Learning, a year-long program for 18–25-year-olds beginning with a wilderness “quest,” followed by a digital hub, practices like appreciative inquiry, and collaborative “heists” to build small real-world projects, moving participants from worry to wonder to world-building. Find info here and below to participate.

00:00 Embodied Learning Basics
02:16 Podcast Intro and Who Its For
06:18 Life Itself Guest Setup
07:03 Flourishing and Mental Health
12:40 Education as Liberation
16:42 Neither Nor Framework
21:50 Skills for Metacrisis Times
28:39 Wilderness Quest and Stirrings
32:34 Heists and World Building
37:47 Games and Digital Hub
46:52 Tech Shadows and Evidence
57:44 Conference Questions and Wrap

Liminal Learning is in ther final week of welcoming participants for the upcoming UK Quest. 

Are you or do you know a young adult (18–25) — who’s feeling a bit lost, uncertain, in search of community, a way to explore purpose, or at a crossroads in these times? If so, our yearlong program could provide the support to transform their experience from worry into wonder.

🎡 Quests and yearlong programs starting soon

🌳 Kicks off in the Forest 

🧑‍💻 Then moves to the online Hub

The weeklong wilderness Quest is the starting point of Liminal Learning — a yearlong journey supporting young people to find direction, meaning, and confidence in work, study, and life. We focus on 3 core components the Quest, the Hub (our online community and continuation) and the Heist (our hybrid project based real-world experiment)

✨ We have a small number of scholarship places still available, supported by our non-profit mission.

👉 Quest details & applications here: https://liminal-learning.com/upcoming-quests

What’s Liminal Learning?

It begins with a weeklong retreat in nature, then continues with a year of learning, mentoring, and community — both online and in person. In a supportive cohort with peers and guides, participants explore purpose, values, and how they want to meet the world.

👉 Full program overview: https://liminal-learning.com/program

Life itself (https://lifeitself.org/)
Jacob Kishere www.jacobkishere.com or www.theresonantman.com
Harvard series videos starting with IG
and the
Neither Nor paper

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Beyond Genes, Toward Meaning & Care, But Rigorously

Andrea Hiott hosts British science writer Philip Ball (former Nature editor; trained chemist and physicist) to discuss his book How Life Works and why the popular idea “it’s all in the genes” is untenable. Ball argues biology is shifting beyond mechanistic, bottom-up “blueprint” metaphors toward a view of organisms as open, adaptive informational systems with complex genotype–phenotype relations, constant interaction across levels (genes to ecosystems), and robust behavior emerging from “committee-like” molecular collectives. They discuss why biology has avoided purpose, teleology, and meaning, yet living systems make contextual value judgments and goal-directed decisions, with continuity from cells to human minds and emotions, emphasizing embodiment and symbiosis. Ball links these themes to his prostate cancer diagnosis while finishing the book, reflecting on mortality, persistence of patterns and information through art and writing, and the open-endedness of life and evolution, ending with love as a real evolved capacity.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:35 Why Biology Is Shifting

02:09 Cancer, Meaning, and Patterns

04:37 Challenging Gene Determinism

11:03 Beyond the Machine Metaphor

17:52 Purpose and Teleology in Life

23:58 Messiness and Higher-Level Causation

31:54 Meaning Making in Cells

38:10 Embodiment and the Mind-Body Link

41:20 Embodied Minds

42:23 Nested Bodies and Meaning

43:52 Molecular Caring and Committees

45:02 Physics of Collectivity

47:19 Universality From Traffic to Cells

51:11 Leaky Layers in Living Systems

53:20 Beyond E. coli to Elephants

55:49 Caring as a New Metaphor

57:44 Symbiosis Parasites and Affordances

01:03:23 Brains Agency and Emotions

01:08:10 Mortality and Whirlpools of Meaning

01:15:42 Uniqueness Open-Ended Evolution

01:18:25 Love as Evolutionary Reality

TRANSCRIPT

Andrea Hiott: Hello, everyone. Welcome to Love and Philosophy. This is Andrea Hiott, and I’m glad you’re here. Today is a really special conversation, which I had quite some months ago, back in February, with a writer who is one of my favorites, Philip Ball. He is a British science writer. He used to be the editor at Nature for over 20 years. He’s trained as both a chemist and a physicist, and he’s written a lot of really good books. Critical Mass was a prize-winning book, and there’s also H2O, The Music Instinct, and the one we’re talking about here, How Life Works.

Let me tell you a little bit about this book. It comes at a moment when I think biology is really shifting. It’s a shift that’s been going on for a while, but it’s at an important moment now where this mechanistic gene-first story we’ve been telling — the one that says you are your genes, you are your DNA, the selfish gene, that whole idea — is really changing a lot. The idea of the body as a machine assembled from the bottom up, that story is coming apart.

But it’s interesting because we don’t want to just flip to the opposite, to reject all that came before. That’s what this book is doing that’s so interesting, and also this conversation. I think you’ll hear it. We’re trying to hold a certain tension because even though that story is coming apart, it’s not that everything is wrong about it. The hope is not to flip into the opposite, but rather to hold the tension and to really open up a new space about how we actually think about what life is and what we are.

We have more ways to communicate and more ways to study this that can help us get more rigorous even as we also open up. So that’s what we’re trying to do in this conversation. It gets a little bit messy — that’s a word I’m always using, but in a good way — because we’re trying to talk about a lot of very hard things here, and we’re also trying to talk about them in a way that isn’t the usual way.

You’ll hear that Philip is very articulate about this. He’s even better in the book, so I really highly recommend it. He’s also written some very beautiful essays, and one of them, which is in Nautilus, is about how at the end of writing this book he got diagnosed with cancer. We get to that by the end of this conversation because he’s come through well. He had surgery. All is good. It’s all gone. But there was a time when it was very tense for him, and he was writing this book about life, so can you imagine? He was really having these questions pressed on him directly as he had been thinking about life and trying to understand what it was.

There’s something very moving about that. What he came to through this was that we are made of this material that’s changing all the time, but what persists are these patterns that come through us, or are in the world with us, or that we create and give to the world that then go on without us. It’s not that they’re floating around in the air. It’s that I can read this book again that he wrote, and there’s an imprint to the book that changes me, and that will continue even in 100 years when people read the book. It’s the same with music. It’s the same with everything we create and do. But it’s also the same with conversations that you just have with one another, because we change each other as we do that, and those patterns continue on in further conversations that those people have.

So we end up in a place a little bit like that, and it’s very interesting that that can come from a very scientific conversation and a very scientific book. One thing about Philip is he’s really good at holding that. In the book, he talks about meaning, which is not a word you see often in a very scholarly biological book, but he does it with real rigor and grace, and I think that is such a gift at this moment. I’m very happy to bring you this conversation and to share his work with you. I’m really grateful that he spent some time with me. Thanks for being here. I hope this conversation gives you something that helps you carry on these patterns that connect in some way that’s meaningful for you today.

• Author website: philipball.co.uk
• Wikipedia: Philip Ball
• Chemistry World biography: Philip Ball at Chemistry World

Philip Ball's Books (mentioned or relevant to this conversation)

• How Life Works: A User's Guide to the New Biology (2023) — the main book discussed 
  • University of Chicago Press
  • Author's page
• The Book of Minds: How to Understand Ourselves and Other Beings, from Animals to AI to Aliens (2022) 
  • University of Chicago Press
  • Reviews on author's site
• Critical Mass: How One Thing Leads to Another (2004) — winner of the 2005 Aventis Prize for Science Books 
  • Author's page
  • Macmillan
• H2O: A Biography of Water (1999) 
  • Author's page
• The Music Instinct: How Music Works and Why We Can't Do Without It (2010)

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Andrea Hiott in conversation with investor Jenna Nicholas. 

Jenna discusses her book The Enlightened Bottom Line and how spirituality, love, and purpose can inform investing and business rather than oppose them. She traces formative experiences from ages 11–14 in a Swiss “Transformation for Peace” program and speaking at Commonwealth Day in Westminster Abbey, including meeting Desmond Tutu, to the confidence instilled by her mother and grandmother, faith, and a lifelong practice of hosting “Saturdays at Jen’s” discussion groups.

After moving from London to Stanford, she was inspired by social entrepreneurs, worked on socially responsible investing in China with mentor Wayne Silby (Calvert Funds), and later organized experiences and interviews exploring profit–purpose paradoxes. She describes practices like symbolic objects to bridge divides, dreams-based decision-making in the Amazon, and a HEAL framework (Hope, Empathy, Abundance, Legacy), emphasizing pauses, stewardship, seven-generation thinking, and money as “currency” valuable when in motion.

Find Jenna’s book The Enlightened Bottom Line here.

Parker Palmer conversation with Andrea is here

Jacob Needleman conversation with Andrea is here.

00:00 Welcome and Book Setup

00:25 Teen Years and Abbey Speech

02:25 Tutu High Five and Lasting Joy

04:01 the Women Who Raised Her

06:48 Holding Paradox in Community

08:56 From Stanford to Impact Investing

11:40 Choosing Stanford by Fate

14:43 Wayne Silby and Legacy Shift

17:18 Bhutan and Business of Happiness

19:24 Enoughness and Inner Compass

22:52 Saturdays at Jens Conversations

25:14 Fierce Love in Organizations

27:25 Creating Listening Spaces

28:03 Building Impact Experience

28:40 Coal Meets Solar Values

30:13 Redefining Money Capital

34:00 Heal Framework Questions

35:37 Hope Empathy Abundance

37:16 Playful Abundance Wand

40:04 Amazon Dream Circles

43:03 Death Joy Legacy

46:31 Stewardship Seven Generations

49:02 Reflection Questions Pauses

52:40 Grandmother Loving Kindness

55:37 Honoring Stories Love

57:15 Podcast Farewell

The Enlightened Bottom Line by Jenna Nicholas

Jenna’s Substack is here.

Jenna on LinkedIn

Baha’i Faith

Books discussed in addition to the Enlightened Bottom Line:

InnSaei: the Icelandic Art of Intuition by Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir

The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist

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What Marks our Movement through life?

Andrea Hiott interviews A.A. Kostas, a Singapore-based lawyer and writer who runs the Substack Way Markers, blending poetry, fiction, and essays. They discuss how moving through different places shaped his writing and his interest in avoiding simplistic binaries through discernment—first identifying what kind of decision is in front of you—using hiking metaphors of many paths versus a narrow ridge. Alex cites Into the Wild as a cautionary way marker about seeking truth without rejecting human connection, and describes a Cradle Mountain hike where his wife had to find her own route. They explore how technology reinforces binary thinking, why poetry and music hold meanings beneath prose, and the value of humility from engaging Western and Eastern traditions (including Merton and Suzuki). They examine care as uncomfortable attention, the importance of embodied presence, and Alex’s experience of fatherhood as immediate responsibility and obligation where love grows.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:21 Becoming a Writer
03:51 Growing Up Everywhere
05:15 What Is Way Markers
07:12 Pilgrimage and Substack
10:29 Into the Wild Lessons
14:29 Beyond Binary Thinking
18:49 Cradle Mountain Metaphor
22:36 Discernment and Ridge Lines
25:20 Tech Shapes Our Minds
27:00 Why Braid Genres
31:04 Music and Poetry Under Language
34:12 Law as Applied Philosophy
37:41 Zen Meets Catholic Mysticism
43:00 Humility and Unknowing
46:48 Craving Oneness Safely
48:19 Mystical Moments Explained
50:20 Flow State With Meaning
51:00 Desire Points to God
52:25 You Cant Conjure Awe
56:14 Care In Writing
58:36 Audience Capture Trap
59:27 Pamphlets Off The Internet
01:02:40 Love Is Uncomfortable
01:17:58 Fellow Travelers And Faith
01:24:28 Humor Holds Paradox
01:28:34 Fatherhood And Obligation
01:32:18 Closing Reflections

See the Substack for links to the books mentioned.

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B. Scot Rousse (“B”)'s substack, "Without Why," focuses on what it means to be alive in an age of intelligent machines. He is philosopher in residence at Topos Institute and visiting scholar in Philosophy at Berkeley. He also drums in 3 punk bands.

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Andrea Hiott has a conversation with philosopher B. Scot Rousse (“B”). B is an Oakland-based, Berkeley-affiliated Heidegger and phenomenology scholar focused on AI’s effects on our capacities to care. He is also a Topos Institute affiliate and a punk drummer. Andrea and B discuss Heidegger’s care as living in “meaningful differences,” embodied affordances, moods, and existential orientation. They explore how AI risks compulsive optimization and an overly narrow picture of the role of language in human life. B argues that technologies design ways of being human, urges users and designers to ask “for the sake of what,” articulates punk’s embodied, communal, joyful “controlled chaos” as an antidote to technological nihilism, and celebrates love and care in their visceral, pluralistic, and risky uncontrollability. Along the way, B traces a path from growing up Hare Krishna in Florida, to an encounter with a philosophy teacher who encouraged his transfer to UC Berkeley where he came under the mentorship of Hubert Dreyfus, whose teaching and critiques of symbolic AI shaped B’s work. B also shares about his work with philosopher-entrepreneur Fernando Flores (thanks to an introduction by Dreyfus), who applies philosophy to organizational “networks of conversations” that coordinate commitments and care for customer concerns, drawing on his experience in Chilean political history and ontological reinterpretation of entrepreneurship. In all of these experiences, B focuses on an abiding and urgent question: How do we protect our capacity to care in an age of optimization? How can you create, in your life, your version of the worldly joy and shared meaning of being in a punk band?

B’s substack is Without Why. 

He currently drums in the bands Realistic, Vexxyl, and Wildfire.

Here is the piece on Hubert Drefyus that Andrea mentions.

Subscribe to B’s YouTube channel here. Support the Hubert Dreyfus Audio Archive Project here.

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00:00 Welcome and Care Question
00:36 Meet B Scot Rousse
04:31 Highlights and Themes
07:08 B Introduces Himself
08:14 From Krishna Roots to Philosophy
10:27 Teacher to Berkeley and Dreyfus
12:01 Ambassadors of Possibility
13:16 Dreyfus Mentorship Years
14:52 Fernando Flores and Careful Organizations
18:40 Heideggerian Care Meets AI
23:56 Care and Agency in Analytic Ethics
30:04 Mattering and Affordances
33:13 Dreyfus on Technology and Optimization
38:00 Language as Commitments Not Info
39:02 Language as Commitment
40:54 Why LLMs Aren’t Human Language
43:18 Training, Deployment, Disembodiment
45:22 Languaging vs Symbol Systems
49:44 Care and Ontological Design
52:41 Compulsive Chatbot Loops
55:30 Disorientation and No Recipes
01:02:10 Kierkegaard and Commitment
01:11:35 Practicing Conversation with AI
01:14:38 Punk as Embodied Community
01:17:46 Punk As Belonging
01:18:50 Drummer Life And Community
01:19:14 Mood Joy And Chaos
01:21:10 Entropy And AI Randomness
01:23:19 Choosing The Wild Path
01:27:01 Teaching At The Edge
01:33:01 Meaning Is Out There
45:45 Care As Human Int

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The Great Psychology Delusion: Why the Mean Misleads and Pluralism Matters

Read the book here.

This is an academic psychology-focused episode with lecturer Marek McGann, whose work spans enactive cognitive science, embodiment, politics, feminist philosophy, and STS. Andrea and Marek discuss his co-authored book The Great Psychology Delusion with Craig Speelman. McGann explains why “delusion” fits psychology’s persistence in treating long-critiqued assumptions as valid, especially the aggregation delusion: averaging group data and applying it to individuals despite human non-interchangeability and change over time, linked to the ergodic assumption and ergodic theorem conditions rarely met in human behavior. They discuss how averaging can create misleading “laws” (e.g., power law of learning), the research–practice gap in clinical work, psychology’s history and method-driven identity, and the need for disciplined, pluralistic, scale-aware science that better integrates perspectives and practitioner expertise.

00:00 Show Intro And Guest
01:23 Book Thesis And Stakes
02:24 Aggregation Delusion Explained
03:54 Research Practice Gap
04:49 More Detailed Book Summary
07:47 Averaging Artifacts And Ergodicity
09:29 Careful Critique Not Anti Psychology
11:06 Warm Reorientation Sendoff
11:51 Conversation Begins
15:17 Why Call It Delusion
20:11 How Psychology Became Method Led
31:08 Aggregation Delusion Deep Dive
33:35 Ergodic Fallacy in Humans
35:21 Scale Slippage and Delusion
37:59 Research Practice Gap Explained
41:01 Clinician Code Switching
42:46 Many Scales of Mind
43:57 MRI Averaging Pitfalls
48:32 Method Silos and Identities
52:43 Care, Careers, and Canalization
55:27 GPS Model for Pluralism
01:00:33 Pluralism Not Relativism
01:02:58 Why Marek Cares
01:06:06 Psychology’s Moment of Change
01:06:56 Closing Thanks and Wrap

Marek McGann has been a lecturer in the Department of Psychology since 2005. His principal research is theoretical work on the enactive approach to cognitive science, which examines the mind more as something we do rather than something we have. This is also related to ecological approaches to psychology, which explore how behaviour and mental life can be examined by looking at what your head is in, rather than what is in your head. He also has a related interest in critical considerations of theory and scientific practice in psychology more broadly.

Marek co-convenes the ENSO Seminars, a series of online seminars with researchers from enactive and ecological cognitive science.

The paper Andrea mentions: Facing Life

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This is an impromptu bonus episode previewing the NYC premiere of Sophie Fiennes’s documentary film Acting, which follows the celebrated theatre company Cheek by Jowl through their production of Macbeth. Andrea is speaking with her this week in NYC.

Andrea introduces the ideas of director Declan Donnellan, whose book The Actor in the Space (2024) helps us get some insight into the film. 

Subjects: the philosophy of performance to spatial cognition, presence, and what it means to be truly alive on stage — or anywhere.

Perhaps this is a good moment to revisit the themes of Macbeth.

Come Saturday April 11th at 6:45pm for the film and Q &A with Sophie Fiennes (and Andrea): ️tickets at https://quadcinema.com/film/acting/

Declan Donnellan: "Human beings are actors. It is hardwired into our DNA — from toddlers playing make-believe to old-age pensioners sharing jokes in the pub. We need to perform. It’s an essential part of being human. Acting starts early. We use it to develop our relationship with our mothers. We watch her and wonder, mirror her smiling, repeat the sounds she makes. We learn things by performing for her, and she performs for us. Does that mean we are lying to each other? Of course not. Performance is woven into the fabric of our lives. It’s as natural and important to us as breathing. Performance is not merely a habit that humans keep repeating across millennia, languages and cultures. It is more fundamental than that. Performance is what it is to be human. It is the operating system for life."

The episode previews a bonus conversation with filmmaker Sophie Fiennes ahead of a screening of her film "Acting," about the London theater company Cheek by Jowl, co-founded by director Declan Donnellan and designer Nick Ormerod. Andrea introduces Donnellan’s ideas from his books "The Actor and the Target" and "The Actor in the Space," emphasizing that performance is fundamental to being human and that acting depends on creating the conditions—especially the space and context—where a character can exist and feel alive, rather than forcing meaning or emotion. The script contrasts older, space-oriented filmmaking with faster kinetic editing, highlights the importance of giving audiences room for their own cognition, and includes clips from Macbeth rehearsal discussing dread, avoidance, and the challenge of convincing the audience. It ends with details about attending the New York screening and future posting of a longer conversation. All links to books and notes are here.

00:00 Love and Dread
00:11 Macbeth in Fragments
01:00 Creative Risk and Space
02:59 Audience Cognition and Care
03:55 Art Beyond Meaning
04:58 Bonus Episode Intro
06:39 Performing Everyday Life
08:11 Who Is Declan Donnellan
10:25 Performance as Human OS
12:12 Why Acting Is Hard
14:20 Alive in Rehearsal
16:24 Space That Supports Life
18:30 Care and Plugging In
21:43 Avoidance and Reacting
24:44 Philosophy and Presence
26:34 Macbeth Actor Dialogue
27:35 Closing Macbeth Beat

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 Holding Paradox Through Serious Play: Can serious play be a portal to wisdom? 

This is an episode about puzzles and care. Andrea has a conversation with puzzle maker Jason Robillard (StumpCraft) about how puzzles cultivate new ways of being and seeing, holding paradox by repeatedly joining opposites only to realize they were never quite opposites but mirror-like pieces of a coherent whole. Robillard describes his wooden, laser-cut puzzles built from Canadian fine art, with uniquely drawn organic pieces, symbolic elements, sensory “shock,” and sometimes multiple valid placements that challenge assumptions of a single solution. He connects puzzling to embodied experience, attention, OODA loops, cognitive biases, and navigating complexity through “alternating base camps” and Goldilocks destabilization, the metamodern idea of 'serious play', relating this to career upheavals and identity change. The conversation emphasizes care as community glue and highlights values embedded in his work—curiosity, creativity, integrity, and generosity—plus a resonance with David Whyte’s poem “Start Close In.”

00:00 Paradox Through Play
02:36 Podcast Intro Puzzles Theme
07:54 Meet Jason And His Work
09:20 Puzzles Holding Paradox
11:38 Designing Artful Wooden Puzzles
14:47 Embodied Senses And Touch
16:58 Career Shift Into Puzzles
23:24 Serious Play And Homo Ludens
25:50 Moving Childhood And Safety
31:57 Base Camps And Destabilization
34:30 Polarity Recipes Beyond Flatland
38:47 Designing Paradox Puzzles
39:48 Many Solutions Mindset
42:54 Puzzles as Conversation
47:53 Liminal Times Need Puzzles
56:00 Sensemaking and OODA Loops
01:00:22 Home Gifts and Community
01:03:17 Four Values in Design
01:11:29 Start Closer In Practice
01:13:39 Care Belonging and Vulnerability
01:18:52 Where to Find Jason
01:19:57 Closing Poem Reading

StumpCraft Amazing Instagram Photos and Videos of Games

Jasen’s writings: Releasing the Muse

Jasen on LinkedIn

Metamodern influences: Serious Play

OODA loop (observe, orient, decide, act)

Homo Ludens

Jasen Robillard was always a closet creative who long denied the creative muses, focusing instead on a “secure” engineering career until it dried up in 2017. As is often the case, necessity proved to be the mother of invention… In 2016, Jasen started designing and prototyping his whimsical puzzles which were inspired by other wooden laser-cut puzzles he had enjoyed years earlier. He noted a lack of wooden puzzle availability in Canada, as well as a severe lack of deliberate focus on Canadian fine art. After a year of playful prototyping and a clear end to his engineering-focused career, Jasen decided to launch StumpCraft formally in 2017.

Since the formal launch, StumpCraft has experienced growth and praise as more and more fans share their love of puzzles with friends and family members.  StumpCraft was also the recipient of the 2021 Made in Alberta Award in Games & Leisure, exposing us to an ever more rapidly expanding fanbase. 

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Facing Reality with Clear Eyes but without Desperation: Scilla Elworthy on Listening with the Heart to Transform Conflict

 Three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Scilla Elworthy reflects on 70 years of work with conflict and war, beginning at age 12 after seeing tanks in Budapest and being sent to help concentration camp survivors. She describes how others’ suffering “hit” her heart and led her to action in Algeria, the Congo, and South Africa, where she worked on starvation relief, shipped milk powder, and supported education, noting the central role of women in community resilience. Elworthy emphasizes “listening with the heart” to discern what people truly need beyond narratives, and explains how turning to the heart helps release harsh self-criticism. She also shares practical self-nourishment through nature and gardening, and recounts using humanizing, vulnerable moments—like discussing children—to soften high-stakes meetings, including military dialogues in China, as a way to build connection and “power with” others.

"Triple nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with Oxford Research Group to develop effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers worldwide and their critics from 1983-2003. Founded Peace Direct in 2002, awarded the Niwano Peace Prize in 2003, the Luxembourg Peace Prize in 2020, the GOI Peace Award in 2023. Founded The Business Plan for Peace  based on her latest books - The Business Plan for Peace: Building a World Without War (2017), The Mighty Heart: how to transform conflict (2020), and The Mighty Heart in Action (2022)."

Find all Scilla's work here.

Kyla Scanlon's post mentioned here

00:00 Why We Still Kill
00:55 Action Over Apathy
01:07 Heart As Guide
01:39 Inner Critic Quieted
03:23 Podcast Introduction
07:03 Meet Scilla Elworthy
08:17 Tanks In Budapest
11:32 Early War Witnessing
14:33 Africa Conflict Journeys
17:47 Women Leading Change
19:52 Listening With Heart
22:29 Defining The Heart
25:31 Nature As Nourishment
29:35 Self Inspection To Embodiment
32:41 Taming The Inner Critic
34:04 Heart Led Self Compassion
35:54 Daring Diplomacy With Generals
36:49 Breaking The Ice With Humanness
42:48 Power With Vulnerability
47:24 Courage In The Moment
51:07 Love In The Garden
53:03 Closing Thanks And Future Fears
53:55 Listener Note And NYC Event

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 Janet Levin on Physicalism, Zombies, and Changing Minds

 Andrea hosts philosopher Janet Levin, newly retired after 40 years at USC and the department’s first tenure-track woman hire, to discuss a life in analytic philosophy and debates about mind and consciousness. Levin recounts stumbling into philosophy at the University of Chicago with Ted Cohen and later studying at MIT amid figures like Jerry Fodor, Noam Chomsky, and advisor Ned Block, and writing the Stanford Encyclopedia entry on functionalism. They contrast dualism and physicalism, explain metaphysics as inquiry into what exists and what is possible, and examine thought experiments such as Descartes’ arguments, Jackson’s knowledge argument, and Chalmers’ zombie case. Levin holds that our feelings and experiences are nothing over and above physical processes in the body, primarily the brain and central nervous system. The conversation closes on teaching, women in philosophy, and how openness, identity, and social forces affect willingness to change one’s mind and pursue truth.

The Road Taken APA Talk

Janet Levin

Time Stamps:
00:00 Big Questions on Mind Change
01:47 Consciousness and Zombies
02:11 Welcome and Season Setup
03:22 Meet Janet Levin
07:31 Stumbling Into Philosophy
08:25 Why Minds Change Slowly
11:10 Synthetic Hippocampus and Extended Mind
12:57 Chicago Origins With Ted Cohen
18:02 MIT Era and Cognitive Revolution
22:01 From Behaviorism to Functionalism
26:17 Defining Physicalism and Supervenience
29:23 What Is the Mind Really
34:46 Cognitive Phenomenology Debate
37:31 What Metaphysics Studies
40:02 Classic Metaphysics Puzzles
43:15 Free Will and Determinism
46:34 Descartes and the Self
51:41 Conceivability and Zombie Arguments
58:40 Dualism’s Causation Problem
01:11:40 Type B Physicalism and Phenomenal Concepts
01:22:46 Water Lightning Mind
01:24:15 Identity Theory Pushback
01:27:51 Physicalism Explained Broadly
01:30:05 Phenomenal Concepts Introspection
01:32:17 Introspection As Skill
01:34:44 Defending Armchair Philosophy
01:37:22 Armchair Near Window
01:39:10 How Minds Change
01:43:55 Bias Identity And Windows
01:45:35 Women In Philosophy Shifts
01:50:28 Grad Training Mentorship
01:54:43 Teaching Confidence Bloomers
01:57:42 Love Retirement Future Questions
02:02:12 Host Outro Waymaking

Giving Page

Longer Show Notes and PDF of APA talk

Janet Levin is Professor Emerita of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, where she was a longtime faculty member in the School of Philosophy. Her research focuses on epistemology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of psychology. She earned her Ph.D. in philosophy from MIT and her B.A. from the University of Chicago. 

Much of her work engages with one of the hardest problems in philosophy: how to account for the subjective, felt quality of conscious experience within a broadly physicalist framework. She has also written the entry on functionalism for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — the view that what makes something a mental state depends not on its physical makeup, but on the functional role it plays in a larger system. Levin holds that our feelings and experiences are nothing over and above physical processes in the body, primarily the brain and central nervous system.

In her 2022 book The Metaphysics of Mind, published by Cambridge University Press, Levin surveys the major contemporary theories of mind — including dualism, type-identity theory, role functionalism, Russellian monism, and eliminativism — assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

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Love and Philosophy Beyond Dichotomy: Way Making, Care, and a New Season

Andrea Hiott introduces Love and Philosophy Beyond Dichotomy and reflects on how a late-2023 research project became a podcast shaped by the guiding question of “way making”: how we find our way and how our way makes us. Drawing from philosophy, neuroscience, urban planning, ecology, biology, and navigability heuristics, she reframes life’s most crucial action as care, challenging fixed separations like ontology, epistemology, and axiology and emphasizing “constellation” or kaleidoscopic thinking over either/or dichotomies. She previews more rigorous work addressing questions about consciousness, representation, agency, self, mind, and technology through the lens of care, and mentions an upcoming book, Holding Paradox. A new season begins tomorrow March 17 with philosopher Janet Levine, releasing monthly episodes on the 17th, with show notes summarizing key ideas from the past two years.

Give here: https://loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page

Here is a link to the free Love & Philosophy Field Guide which comes to your email: https://making-ways.kit.com/01025445f6

or

find it here: https://lovephilosophy.substack.com/p/focusing-on-care-field-notes-and

00:00 Welcome and Project Update
00:27 Waymaking as Core Question
01:03 Care as Life’s Foundation
03:48 Beyond Either Or Thinking
04:49 Books and Rigorous Philosophy Ahead
06:38 New Season Schedule and Thanks
07:15 Support the Work
07:43 The Hard Parts and Staying in Care
08:31 Show Notes Summary and Closing Good Wishes

Field Notes at https://making-ways.kit.com/01025445f6

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From the archive.

Giving Page

Andrea introduces an archive episode of Love and Philosophy featuring Perry Zurn, provost and associate professor of philosophy at American University about the book Curious Minds, coauthored with Dani Bassett. The intro previews an upcoming season launch with Janet Levin. 

In the following conversation, Perry links curiosity to desire and love, arguing love can guide curiosity away from appropriative or objectifying inquiry. Zurn reframes curiosity not as an individual desire to fill information gaps but as a social practice and a “capacity to connect,” drawing on network science, complexity, and ecological aesthetics through the idea of “edge work.” Andrea and Perry discuss diverse styles of curiosity (busy body, hunter, dancer), curiosity’s role in shifting knowledge networks and methods, interdisciplinary resistance, and how breaking “edges” or “cracks” can be both destructive and creative, relating curiosity to hope and to more-than-human ecologies. Perry also describes the book’s artwork by Poonam Mistry and the dedication to children who ask whether things must be this way.

Perry Zurn's website

Curious Minds: Buy the book

00:00 Archive Season Preview
00:56 Why Curiosity Matters
03:19 Support And Welcome
03:53 Love And Curiosity
06:28 Origins Of Curious Minds
08:51 Curiosity As Practice
11:24 Edge Work Explained
15:18 Pioneering And Ethics
17:39 Complexity And The Brain
21:27 Styles Of Curiosity
26:08 Curiosity Across Divides
30:12 Walking As Knowing
32:31 Methods As Paths
36:34 Why New Paths Threaten
39:38 Dead Ends And Branching
40:33 Connectional Curiosity
42:48 More Than Human Curiosity
47:29 Cracks Hope And Destruction
51:35 Daring To Disturb
53:47 Art And Dedication
56:45 Closing Reflections

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 From the archive. First aired in Jan of 2025. A conversation about Hegel. Andrea talks with Karen Ng, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. The discussion delves into Hegel's ideas on contradiction, self-consciousness, life, and love, revealing how these notions are intricately intertwined in his work. Karen Ng brings forward her insights from her award-winning book 'Hegel's Concept of Life,' highlighting the radical nature of Hegel's thought and its relevance in modern contexts. Together, they explore deeply challenging philosophical concepts, making connections to contemporary issues in philosophy, environmental science, and cognitive theory. Join us as we navigate through Hegel’s complex ideas and uncover their enduring significance.

00:00 Hegel's Contradictory Philosophy
00:47 The Machine Model vs. Organic Unity
02:55 Introduction to Karen Ng and Her Work
06:40 Karen Ng's Journey with Hegel
16:17 Kant's Influence and the Copernican Turn
24:57 The Concept of Life and Internal Purposiveness
39:55 Exploring the Conditions for Intelligibility
40:27 Hegel's Radical Thought on Life and Meaning
41:44 Primitive and Sophisticated Sense-Making
42:09 Self-Conscious Forms of Life
42:37 Hegel's Connection Between Life and Meaning
43:56 The Speculative Identity Thesis
44:41 The Shock of Hegel's Absolute Idea
45:53 Thinking and Corporeality
47:51 The Radical Nature of Self-Conscious Life
48:52 Challenging Cartesian Dualism
49:38 Kant's Dualism and Moral Philosophy
50:37 The Speculative Identity Thesis and Cognition
52:42 The Radical Connection Between Life and Cognition
53:05 Contemporary Philosophers on Life and Mind
53:32 Hegel's Influence on Modern Thought
01:06:06 The Importance of Teaching Philosophy
01:07:46 Hegel's Thoughts on Love and Life
01:09:12 The Concept of Free Love
01:10:03 The Role of Love in Hegelian Philosophy
01:13:26 Concluding Thoughts on Hegel and Love

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 Love, Science, and the Dynamics of Change: From the Archive

This is a replay of an earlier conversation with Richard Watson (which was already an unpublished conversation we'd had earlier, so there's lots of nesting here). Initially focusing on Universal Darwinism and its limitations, the discussion evolves into a broader examination of alternative mechanisms like learning and mutual transformative change. Andrea and Richard delve into nuanced definitions of individuality and agency, challenging the reductionist view in favor of a more integrative approach. They explore the intersection of science and subjectivity, positing that love, characterized as 'deeply vulnerable mutual knowing,' plays a critical role in understanding relationships and evolutionary processes. This thought-provoking dialogue highlights the dynamic interplay of biological systems and the potential for a more compassionate and creative understanding of life's complexity.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:27 Andrea's Reflections and Richard Watson's Work
00:56 Defining Individual and Body
01:14 Evolutionary Units and Mutual Transformative Change
01:41 Academic Ideas on Evolution and Cognition
03:27 Richard Watson's Background and Research
05:22 Natural Selection and Adaptation
12:02 Learning Processes vs. Natural Selection
21:08 Cooperation and Competition in Biology
28:53 Individuality and Agency in Living Systems
39:20 Bioelectricity and Gene Expression
40:51 The Bidirectional Relationship of Cells and Genes
41:34 The Limits of Natural Selection
42:55 Love as a Scientific Concept
47:06 Evolutionary Algorithms and Their Shortcomings
50:00 The Evolution of Cooperation and Individuality
54:09 The Role of Love in Evolution
59:25 The Dance of Relationships and Resonance
01:07:33 The Creative Process of Evolution
01:18:01 The Balance of Love and Fear

Richard Watson

What's Love Got To Do with It

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Trust, Agency, and the Art of Games with C. Thi Nguyen

Revisting a conversation from late 2023 with philosopher C Thi Nguyen. The discussion delves into the philosophical aspects of games, how they shape our agency, and the profound impact they have on our cognition and perception of reality. Thi explores the intersection of love, trust, and philosophical inquiry, highlighting the intricate ways games influence our societal interactions and personal experiences. The episode also touches on how games can be a lens for understanding broader human behaviors and the nature of agency itself. Join us as we navigate these complex ideas and reflect on the role of games in our lives.

00:00 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
00:54 Navigational Mind and Upcoming Conversations
01:36 Revisiting the Conversation with C Thi Nguyen
01:49 Games and Sculpted Agency
03:03 Trust and Agency in Games
07:39 Philosophy, Writing, and Personal Journey
21:16 Games as Art and Medium of Agency
30:57 Art, Porn, and Sentimental Art
36:08 The Role of Games and Art in Emotional Release
36:29 Aesthetic Approaches and Viewer Attitudes
37:10 Games as Tools for Different Experiences
38:02 Personal Reflections on Sports and Dance
39:46 Agency and Game Design
41:10 The Power and Danger of Games
45:06 Virtual Reality and Games
46:58 The Concept of Play vs. Games
56:08 Games and Trust
59:09 The Impact of Games on Perception and Behavior
01:04:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections
01:05:17 Support and Farewell

Trust and Anti-trust

Games, Agency as Art

The Score

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AI, Suffering, Remedy and Love as the voluntary suspension of habitual responses into awareness: This episode is with philosopher and cognitive scientist Thomas Metzinger, a Professor Emeritus at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and a member of the German National Academy Leopoldina. He has worked mainly in philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and applied ethics, particularly focusing on neurotechnology, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. The conversation explores a wide range of topics including the critical intersection of philosophy, neuroscience, meditation, and artificial intelligence. Metzinger shares his skepticism about separating deep philosophical inquiries from meditation and psychedelics, and the dialogue touches upon the impact of AI on human cognition, the concept of suffering in both humans and machines, and the responsibility of philosophers in an age of epistemic crisis. The discussion underscores the need for a balanced and multifaceted approach to understanding consciousness and suggests that new paradigms may emerge from current technological and philosophical shifts. This episode aims to foster an expansive and hopeful outlook as we move into the new year. The idea of pure consciousness as used in phenomenology via Husserl is to be discussed later.

00:00 Introduction to Fundamental Issues and Meditation
00:44 Epistemic Crisis and AI Concerns
01:15 Buddhism and Suffering
02:09 Philosophical Insights on Suffering and Awareness
04:47 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
05:43 Introducing Thomas Metzinger
07:43 Thomas Metzinger's Contributions to Philosophy and AI
09:53 Exploring Minimal Phenomenal Experience (MPE)
13:49 Narrative and Pure Awareness
22:09 Philosophical and Scientific Exploration of Consciousness
29:30 Thomas Metzinger's Personal Journey in Philosophy
56:11 Criticism and Meditation
56:55 Epistemic Authority and Consciousness
59:27 Embodiment in AI and Philosophy
01:01:52 Challenges in Academia
01:05:31 AI, Critical Thinking, and Future Concerns
01:15:29 The Nature of Suffering
01:22:50 Compassion and Love
01:44:12 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
01:44:30 A Poetic Farewell

Thomas Metzinger

phenomenology of 'pure' consciousness

Link to Elephant and the Blind full book

New book Bewusstseinkultur

MPE discussion mentioned in Intro

MPE project

Philosophy Babble conversations

Beyond Nondual

Thomas Metzinger (*1958 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany) was Full Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz until 2019. He is past president of the German Cognitive Science Society (2005-2007) and of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (2009-2011). As of 2011, he is an Adjunct Fellow at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, a co-founder of the German Effective Altruism Foundation, president of the  

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 with philosopher Esther Lightcap Meek, Professor of Philosophy emerita at Geneva College, in Western Pennsylvania

exploring from-to fractals, Michael Polanyi, Meek's Indeterminate Future Manifestations, the difference between information and knowledge, epistemological therapy... and all with some laughter and good cheer

Happy holidays! These conversations are part of research: to skip the research ramble, go to 26:30. This episode explores the intricate relationships between knowledge, information, reality, and love with guest Esther Lightcap Meek. Building on the ideas of Michael Polanyi, Esther and Andrea delve into the concept of ‘subsidiary focal integration’ and its implications for how we understand reality. The conversation addresses the limitations of viewing knowledge merely as information, the importance of bodily cognition, and how love and communion with the real are fundamental to genuine knowing. It shows how philosophy can be understood as therapeutic, a dynamic process that connects us deeply with ourselves, each other, and the world.

00:00 Introduction to the Concept of Reality and Information

01:46 The Role of Subsidiary Focal Integration

03:36 Exploring Covenant Epistemology

04:54 Understanding Bodily Cognition

06:44 Introducing Esther Lightcap Meek

08:50 The Journey of a Philosopher

10:46 The Importance of Subsidiary Focal Integration

13:02 Practical Applications and Everyday Philosophy

16:40 The Role of Philosophy in Real Life

26:31 A Conversation with Esther Lightcap Meek

49:34 Integrative Knowledge and Liberation

50:25 Epistemological Therapy and Embodied Cognition

52:37 The Role of Subsidiary Focal Integration

54:58 Daisy of Dichotomies and Modernity

57:54 The Interpersonal Nature of Knowledge

01:11:20 Covenant Epistemology in Education

01:18:35 AI, Tools, and the Real

01:29:14 The Role of Love in Knowing 

A professional philosopher, author and speaker, Esther offers her own distinctive, down-to-earth, approach to the philosophical matters that ground and permeate our lives: humanness, meaning, reality, knowing.
The book Andrea and Esther discuss here is Loving to Know.
Link here to Esther’s work and books: https://www.estherlightcapmeek.com

Tacit Knowledge

Michael Polanyi

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Maybe memory is a way we communicate with ourselves and the world at various layers, a bridging experience of what we call time and space.

In this episode, Andrea Hiott and Lynn Nadel continue their ongoing talks about memory. This time they explore the intricate workings of the hippocampus, focusing on its role in bridging spatial and temporal gaps. They delve into how memory, navigation, and cognitive maps are interconnected, challenging traditional views and opening up discussions on the dynamic nature of memory. 

Lynn shares insights from this paper, discusses how past research has evolved, touching upon philosophical perspectives from Kant and modern neuroscience findings. The conversation also briefly touches on the broader implications, including how understanding the hippocampus might extend to broader cognitive functions and societal interactions. There’s an in-depth ‘research ramble’ from Andrea at the beginning for those interested in the wider themes of this whole project, but you can also skip past that and go to the main conversation if you wish.

The main paper discussed here is The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance

Lynn Nadel is an American psychologist who is the Regents’ Professor of psychology at the University of Arizona. Nadel specializes in memory, and has investigated the role of the hippocampus in memory formation. Together with John O’Keefe, he coauthored the influential 1978 book The Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map.

00:00 Introduction to Hippocampal Function
02:07 The Role of Memory and Space
11:38 Philosophical Insights on Space and Time
15:50 Quantum Entanglement and Memory
28:48 Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map
43:43 Encouragement and Introduction to Lynn Nadel
44:30 Discussing the Paper: The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance
44:55 Linking Time and Space: The Role of the Hippocampus
47:21 Memory and Cognitive Maps
49:59 The Evolution of Cognitive Map Theory
51:34 Intertwining Memory and Navigation
01:04:30 Philosophical Perspectives on Space and Time
01:09:37 Innate Structures and Evolutionary Adaptations
01:16:08 Plant Cognition and Tropisms
01:16:59 The Importance of Memory
01:17:39 Cognitive Maps in Animals
01:17:57 Symposium and Research Updates
01:19:08 Locomotion and Cognitive Needs
01:20:54 Internal Models and Memory
01:23:27 Temporal Contiguity vs. Contingency
01:29:26 Dynamics of Memory
01:35:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
01:36:34 Hippocampus and Social Interactions

Previous conversations with Lynn and Andrea

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The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance

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 Hey everybody. This podcast is about seemingly impossible combinations and this one is the doozy of love and power. It’s about the politics of care. Or love in politics. Can you hold those words at once? Can we? We might be surprised by ourselves.

Jamie Bristow has spent the last fifteen years bringing mindfulness and contemplative practices into the British Parliament, the UN, and halls of power around the world. And now he’s decided love is the only answer. But what happens when you bring the language of love into spaces where we typically speak only of power via politics?

This episode, hosted by philosopher and cognitive scientist Andrea Hiott, delves into the intersection of love and power in political and personal realms. Guest Jamie Bristow, with his extensive experience in the British Parliament and the UN, explores how mindfulness, consciousness, and inner transformation can reshape politics and society. Through discussing concepts like Eros, resilience, and ontological meta modernism, the conversation examines how personal and societal change can be navigated, holding love and power together to create meaningful transformation. The episode also touches on Jamie's journey from a corporate advertising executive to a 'legitimizing agent' for contemplative practices in politics, highlighting the role of faith, trust, and the evolving nature of consciousness.

Jamie is a policy advisor working at the intersection of inner & outer transformation, resilience and sustainability

Find Jamie and his work here

*Also the episode with Fotis and Johannes that also touches on themes of metamodernism

00:00 The Sacred Nature of Power
02:05 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
02:25 Exploring Love and Power in Politics
03:14 Jamie Bristow's Journey
08:41 Mindfulness in Parliament
18:38 The Intersection of Inner and Outer Worlds
31:51 The Role of Love and Power in Society
43:45 Exploring the Concept of Eros
44:23 The Broader Implications of Eros
46:33 Love as a Cosmic Force
47:43 Resilience and the Role of Love
52:51 Trust and Faith in Personal Growth
55:43 The Politics of Love
01:14:06 Navigating Modernity and Postmodernity
01:19:18 The Middle Way and Superposition
01:27:50 Closing Reflections on Love and Philosophy

The System Within: addressing the inner dimensions of sustainability and systems transformation
Mindfulness in Westminster: Reflections from UK Politicians
Reconnection: Meeting the Climate Crisis Inside Out
The Conscious Food Systems Alliance (UNDP) 
Power & Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change by Adam Kahane
Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice - Martha Nussbaum

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This episode, hosted by philosopher Andrea Hiott, explores the concept of embracing paradox with Lisa Maroski, author of 'Embracing Paradox, Evolving Language.' The discussion delves into how our language separates concepts, leading to binary thinking, and how questioning and reexamining these linguistic habits can foster a deeper understanding of interconnectedness. Using the metaphor of the Mobius Strip, Lisa explains the importance of holding multiple truths simultaneously and the potential for transforming our worldview. They touch on various topics, including the influence of language on culture, the need for a new way of thinking to address global crises, and the role of love and trust in fostering connection. The conversation encourages listeners to see beyond binary choices and embrace a more integrated, kaleidoscopic approach to understanding and caring for the world.
www.lisamaroski.com

00:00 Introduction to Paradoxical Thinking
02:54 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
03:23 Exploring Language and Cognitive Boundaries
04:08 Introducing Lisa and Her Book
05:21 The Mobius Strip Metaphor
06:03 The Complexity of Language and Culture
26:20 Dynamic Processes and Biological Insights
28:48 The Existential Motivation for Change
32:15 Exploring New Ways of Being
33:54 Interconnectedness and Environmental Awareness
38:35 The Power of Questions
48:40 Learning from Different Perspectives
51:45 Language and Collective Change
58:27 Embracing Paradox and Wholeness
01:00:40 Final Thoughts and Book Recommendations

L.E. (Lisa) Maroski didn’t intend to become an editor, it just so happened that she was good at helping people say what they really wanted to say, not what they wrote. After years of doing that for others, she turned her trade on herself, publishing a novel, The One That Is Both, in 2006 and Embracing Paradox, Evolving Language in 2024. Both books derive from a deep desire for language to be able to “do more.” A third book that continues this theme is in development. Having studied philosophy and psychology but working in medical editing and writing, she considers herself a generalist, one who likes to make connections between ideas. An avid dancer, she balances mind with motion, lofty thoughts with high kicks. You might find her dancing tango somewhere…

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Rethinking Everyday Care with Jérome Denis and David Pontille

In this episode of Love and Philosophy, host Andrea explores the often overlooked but essential realm of maintenance and care, diving into its philosophical, social, and political dimensions. Joined by guests Jérome Denis and David Pontille, accomplished scholars from France, the discussion delves into how maintenance connects with the theories of care, the work of influential figures like Bruno Latour, and the interdisciplinary field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). They unpack the intricate relationship between humans and objects, examining concepts like fragility, multisensory engagement, and the distinction between maintenance and repair. Highlighting the everyday labor involved in maintaining objects and environments—from subway signs to classic cars—the conversation underscores the need to recognize and value the unseen work that sustains our daily lives. The episode draws on rich examples, including the upkeep of the Paris Metro and the care of classic Mustangs, to illustrate the profound impact of maintenance on our understanding of relationships, both material and social.

The book is available in English and French from all major booksellers:
The Care of Things: Ethics and Politics of Maintenance

00:00 Introduction to Maintenance and Care
00:30 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
00:56 Exploring Science and Technology Studies (STS)
01:40 Bruno Latour and Actor-Network Theory
03:45 The Care of Things: Introducing the Guests
04:43 The Paris Metro Signage Study
05:08 The Philosophy of Maintenance
06:09 The Role of Maintenance Workers
07:34 Fragility and the Importance of Care
11:08 Multisensory Engagement in Maintenance
12:56 The Mundane Expertise of Maintenance
42:19 The Drama of Maintenance
42:50 Maintenance vs. Repair: A Philosophical Dive
44:08 The Heroism in Repair
46:59 John Oliver's Take on Infrastructure
49:10 Classic Mustang Maintenance
54:17 The Ambiguities of Maintenance
57:17 Care as Work: A Feminist Perspective
59:28 The Cost of Maintenance
59:58 The Myth of Autonomy in Technology
01:03:25 Personal Reflections on Maintenance
01:20:16 The Role of Love in Maintenance

John Oliver Infrastructure Clip

Jérome Denis is Director of the Centre de sociologie de l'innovation at Mines Paris-PSL.

David Pontille is Director of Research at Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in Paris.

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Neuroscience, Geometric Hyperscanning, and Real Time Relation

Andrea welcomes Nicolás to discuss the cutting-edge neuroscience technique of hyperscanning, which records brain activity from two or more individuals simultaneously during social interactions. They dive into how hyperscanning reveals brain synchronization reflecting shared attention, empathy, and effective communication. The conversation highlights the broader applications, from studying parent-child bonding and social disorders to advancing mental health interventions. The discussion also touches on integrating philosophical insights to better understand social interactions, emphasizing the importance of holding scientific paradoxes and envisioning a more holistic approach to studying human connection.

Watch Nicolás Hinrich's Active Inference Institute recorded talk here

Geometric Hyperscanning of Affect under Active Inference

On a Geometry of Interbrain Networks

Nico's homepage

Watch on YouTube

Read more about this on Substack

The Art of Asynchrony

00:00 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:03 Introduction to Hyperscanning
01:37 Mechanics and Applications of Hyperscanning
03:16 Neural Synchrony and Its Implications
04:36 Exploring Jung's Synchronicity
07:52 Active Inference and Social Synchrony
13:50 Practical Considerations and Future Directions
38:47 Introduction to Prisma and Hyper Scanning
39:28 Extending Prisma Methodology
40:55 Philosophy and Neuroscience Integration
41:51 Participatory Sense Making and Hyper Scanning
43:01 Holding Paradoxes in Research
46:51 Geometric Thinking in Hyper Scanning
52:26 Temporal Aiming and Synchrony
59:30 Neuroprotective Rituals and Mental Health
01:07:23 Balancing Science and Art in Research
01:16:04 Concluding Thoughts on Hyper Scanning and Care

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Moving Beyond Binaries in Education - A Conversation with Tim Logan

This bonus episode features a conversation with Tim Logan from his podcast The Future Learning Design. In this episode, Tim and Andrea are discussing advancements and challenges in education. They explore themes such as the limitations of traditional education frameworks, the emerging insights from 4E cognitive science, and the importance of embodied, relational and ecological approaches to cognition. They also discuss the disorienting yet exciting potential of understanding education as a living, dynamic process. Through it all, the conversation emphasizes the importance of love, attention, and awareness in reshaping educational paradigms. Check out Tim Logan's work with Good Impact Labs and connect with him on LinkedIn.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
01:49 Starting the Podcast Episode
02:43 Exploring Cognitive Science
05:16 The Role of Education
08:52 Challenges in Education Systems
13:19 The Future of Learning and Technology
22:38 Navigating Educational Metrics
30:54 Exploring the Teacher-Student Dynamic
32:13 Implicit vs Explicit Learning
35:33 The Importance of Context in Education
36:32 The Third Entity in Education
40:56 Sensing and Cognition
48:49 The Relational Process of Educating
53:47 Concluding Thoughts on Education and Love

Tim Logan is an education leader, connector and facilitator. Tim moves projects from innovative learning design to effectively executing ideas on the ground, swiftly. Bringing his extensive learnings and insights from a global career in youth work, teaching, school leadership and consultancy, Tim has worked with prominent clients around the world to develop new and innovative approaches to learning, well-being and youth engagement. He has most recently worked with International Baccalaureate, Nordic Bildung and Nora Bateson’s team at International Bateson Institute. Tim is also host/producer of the Future Learning Design podcast.

Tim on LinkedIn

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Navigating the Depths of Voice, Authenticity, and Love with Tim Adalin
In this episode of 'Love and Philosophy,' philosopher host Andrea Hiott engages in a profound conversation with Tim Adalin, founder of the Voicecraft Project in Australia and a philosopher and facilitator of philosophical events. They explore various themes such as the importance of voice, the distinction between holding and sharing space, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in today's complex social landscapes. The discussion also delves into the nuanced dynamics of relationships, the transformative power of silence and presence, and the impact of technology on communication. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, Tim and Andrea highlight the necessity of genuine connection and the cultivation of trust in relational contexts.

00:00 The Essence of Voice and Presence
00:58 The Generativity of Relationships
05:23 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
06:44 Thought Collectives and Communicative Patterns
09:29 Voice Craft and Authentic Expression
10:36 Holding and Sharing Space
24:42 Navigating Modern Contexts and Leadership
56:24 The Role of Masks and Maps in Expression
01:08:16 Introduction to the Magic Flight Light Box
01:08:36 Openness to Potentiality and Relationship
01:10:35 Skepticism in Love and Leadership
01:14:23 Navigating Digital Communication and Integrity
01:25:49 The Role of Language and Technology
02:08:26 The Importance of Silence and Presence
02:20:08 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude
02:22:05 Final Poem: Of Many Worlds in this World

Voicecraft

Tim Adalin

Ludwig Fleck

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Waymaking

Love & Philosophy

YouTube Channel

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 Decoding the Brain: Representation and Relational Memory in Cognitive Neuroscience
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This episode of 'Love and Philosophy Beyond Dichotomy,' hosted by Andrea Hiott, features a deep dive with Lynn Nadel into the complexities of representation in the brain. The discussion explores how thoughts and memories are formed and represented, beginning with a child's understanding and extending to advanced theories in neuroscience. Central themes include population coding, the relational nature of brain functions, and the embodied cognition approach. They also touch on historical perspectives from key figures like Tolman and Eichenbaum, the idea of cognitive maps in the hippocampus, and the role of pre-wiring and experience in shaping brain functions. The episode highlights ongoing debates and innovations in understanding cognitive processes and how the brain models reality.

Slides are here

Full conversations (1-5) with Andrea and Lynn

00:00 Introduction to Thought and Representation
01:48 Exploring the Concept of Representation
04:07 The Hippocampus and Cognitive Mapping
08:50 The Mind-Body Problem and Cognitive Neuroscience
29:30 Topographic Maps and Brain Representation
32:21 Understanding the Somatic Brain
32:50 Face Systems and Brain Localization
33:26 Sensory and Motor Systems
34:21 Mapping the Brain and Body Connection
35:01 Historical Insights: Penfield and Milner
35:50 Topographic Maps and Computational Advantages
38:11 Hippocampus and Non-Topographical Maps
39:44 Representation and Meaning in the Brain
48:20 Associative Learning and Memory
01:00:31 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

Lynn is in Trondheim during this discussion attending the Kavli Prize week. This is the third conversation with Andrea and Lynn.
Exploring the Cognitive Neuroscience of Representation: Past, Present, and Future
#representation #lynnnadel #neuroscience #hippocampus #representationdebate

A Research Discussion with Lynn Nadel, part Three. 

In this (talk three) Andrea & Lynn discuss how we have thoughts and memories and what this means a la representation.
First talk
Second talk

Radical paper from Andrea

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 Exploring Life's Paradoxes

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In this deeply reflective episode of 'Love and Philosophy,' philosopher host Andrea Hiott converses with Parker Palmer, the founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal, about the profound truths of life. They discuss the struggles of depression, the essence of living a life of paradox, and the significance of integrating soul with role. Palmer also shares transformative insights on the nature of love, community, and solitude, and reads a poignant poem that captures the essence of enduring life's hardships. Join us for a heartfelt conversation that explores the complexities and mysteries of human existence.

00:00 Understanding the Depths of Depression
02:54 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
08:48 Parker Palmer's Inspirational Journey
13:46 The Concept of Paradox in Life
19:20 The Role of Gratitude and Privilege
22:51 Exploring the Connection to Nature
26:52 The Power of Poetry and Paradox
40:00 Navigating Individuality and Community
41:52 Exploring Community and Solitude
43:24 The Wisdom of Paradox
45:47 The Cure in the Disease
49:28 A Poetic Reflection on Depression
55:45 Embracing Humility and Wholeness
01:08:06 The Role of Love in Healing
01:17:10 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Parker Palmer's Books

Center for Courage and Renewal

Parker on Substack

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A poetic conversation at the intersection of literature, science, and technology with Katherine Hayles, a distinguished research professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Hayles discusses her ideas from her books 'How We Became Posthuman' and 'Bacteria to AI,' focusing on the need to rethink cognition and decouple it from consciousness. She describes the concept of non-conscious cognition and emphasizes the importance of understanding the integrated cognitive framework, which includes biological organisms, synthetic intelligences, and their symbiotic relationships with humans. The discussion extends to planetary ecology, the risks and potentials of advancing AI, and the overarching need for humanity’s care for the planet and each other.

00:00 What I really meant by posthumanism
00:27 The Concept of Human Transformation
00:54 Scientific and Ecological Perspectives
01:38 The Role of Machines and Symbiosis
02:31 Understanding Synthetic Intelligence
02:52 Widening the Circle of Care
03:40 Introduction to Catherine Hales by philosopher Andrea Hiott
04:01 Catherine Hales' Academic Background
04:19 Books by Catherine Hales
08:30 The Importance of Fiction in Science
09:55 Consciousness vs. Cognition
17:42 The Integrated Cognitive Framework
18:37 Non-Conscious Cognition
33:01 Meaning Making in Organisms
35:28 Understanding Different Umwelts
38:42 Understanding AI's Conceptual Umwelt
40:13 Embodiment and Ontology in AI
45:51 Symbiosis: From Biology to AI
58:08 The Role of Narrative in Science and Literature
01:10:06 Planetary Cognition and Future Challenges
01:18:48 The Importance of Accurate Information and Education

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This episode features esteemed philosopher Lucius Outlaw, professor emeritus of Vanderbilt University. In this thought-provoking conversation, Outlaw shares his remarkable journey from growing up in segregated Mississippi to becoming a respected philosophy professor, closely acquainted with influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Eric Fromm. The discussion weaves through topics like double consciousness, agape love, the philosophy of Hegel, and the transformational power of language. Outlaw also reflects on how shared experiences, dialogue, and love can create a more inclusive, understanding world. Tune in to explore how philosophical insights can shape and nurture community and personal growth.

00:00 Introduction to Hermeneutic Justice
01:30 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:39 Lucius Outlaw's Journey
02:04 Exploring Double Consciousness
03:43 Phenomenology and Du Bois
07:49 Challenges in Recording the Episode
10:38 Lucius Outlaw's Early Life in Mississippi
36:01 Academic Struggles and Determination
37:03 Intellectual Growth and Honors Program
37:16 Gender Dynamics and Respect for Women
38:24 Choosing Fisk and Academic Rigor
40:45 Dartmouth Experience and Scholarship Offer
42:38 Return to Fisk and Black Power Movement
48:33 Student Government and SNCC Chapter
52:14 Graduate School and Intellectual Influences
01:02:01 Hegel, Marcuse, and Dialectical Thinking
01:07:07 The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual
01:12:00 Reclaiming Negative Terms: From Black to Queer
01:14:17 The Struggle of Identity and Language
01:16:29 Navigating Predominantly White Institutions
01:19:33 Rehabilitating Whiteness: A Controversial Notion
01:23:52 The Role of Dialogue in Understanding
01:25:23 The Legacy of Reverend James Morris Lawson, Jr.
01:40:50 The Power of Nonviolence and Love
01:47:30 Final Reflections and Continuing the Legacy

https://youtube.com/shorts/SioQ7I5N6Sg?si=jJLtNrBEViVu0KlP

Lucius at Vanderbilt University: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/philosophy/bio/lucius-outlawjr/

W.E.B. Du Bois

James Morris Lawson Jr.

Lucius with Angela Davis: https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2024/12/05/angela-davis-in-conversation-with-lucius-outlaw-a-critical-conversation-on-contemporary-crises/

Photo from HBCU Radio Preservation Project: watch https://youtu.be/z5ikVSHL3ZM?si=g9QfRlI9wDhsaSLi

Lucius is the W. Alton Jones Chair, Emeritus Profeessor at Vanderbilt.
His research Areas are: "racial matters in socio-political life, in the United States in particular, and in legacies and practices of European and Euro-American Philosophy; Social and Political Philosophy; Africana Philosophy (African; African American, for example, Martin Delany, W.E.B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, among others); American Philosophy.SpecializationsAfrican, African American, Continental, History of Philosophy, Social and Political"
Representative Publications
"On Cornel West on W.E.B. Du Bois" Cornel West: a Critical Reader, George Yancy, ed. (Blackwell 2001)."'Multiculturalism,' Citizenship, Education, and American Liberal Democracy,"Theorizing Multiculturalism: A Guide to the Current Debate, Cynthia Willett, ed. (Blackwell 1998).On Race and Philosophy (Routledge 1996)."On W.E.B. Du Bois's 'The Conservation of Races'," Overcoming Racism and Sexism, Linda Bell and David Blumenfeld, ed. (Roman & Littlefield 1995).

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Michael Garfield is a futurist polymath who has worked everywhere from the KU Natural History Museum to the Sante Fe Institute to Mozilla to the Long Now. He’s currently with the AI Capabilities and Alignment Consensus Project. Oh, and he also has twenty years experience as an artist and musician. This conversation is a bit of a song exploder, looking into one of Michael’s songs (the Big Machine) through the kaleidoscope of his other more academic interests.

Summary: A deep, multifaceted conversation with Michael Garfield, known for his contributions to the Complexity podcast at the Santa Fe Institute, Future Fossils, and Humans on the Loop. This discussion with Andrea & Michael traverses various terrains including Michael’s journey from paleontology to music, his insights on complexity science, and the intriguing idea of the 'Fractal Rubik's Cube.' The entire conversation song explodes the themes behind Michael's song 'Big Machine,' tackling how love, mysticism, and science intersect in our complex world. Throughout, Michael shares his nuanced understanding of information, attention, and what it means to explore beyond traditional academic and scientific boundaries.

Check out Michael's latest essay for Aeon

Listen to the song Big Machine

Complexity

Michael's Substack

Love and Philosophy Newsletter

Thinking in Systems

00:00 Introduction to Michael Garfield
01:37 Exploring Michael's Multifaceted Talents
02:48 Unpacking the Song 'Big Machine'
05:19 Michael's Journey and Inspirations
06:06 The Evolution of Michael's Musical Path
10:46 Complexity Science and Personal Growth
23:24 Challenges in Academia and Complexity
54:34 The Role of Psychedelics and Language
58:14 The Importance of Communication and Curation
01:00:18 The Evolution of Social Media and Podcasts
01:02:08 The Importance of Internal Culture in Organizations
01:05:59 Navigating Modern Uncertainty and Strategic Thinking
01:07:21 The Role of Games in Understanding Complexity
01:09:33 The Intersection of AI, Podcasting, and Education
01:10:24 The Concept of Future Fossils and Precognition
01:13:06 The Philosophy of Finite and Infinite Games
01:17:17 The Age of Entanglement and Emergent Engineering
01:24:55 The Practice of Noticing and Consciousness
01:41:39 Love, Synchronicity, and the Future of Work

And here is a short talk Michael gave at DISI last month:

https://michaelgarfield.substack.com/foraging

https://substack.com/home/post/p-159486923

https://youtu.be/PFT2p6l9dW8?si=U1godoyWVDfIRIJx

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A first person exploration of the philosophy of bioregionalism, inspired by the complexity science of Donnella Meadow, with Felix de Rosen, a landscape architect and gardener. 

Felix shares his fascinating journey from studying political science at Harvard to his passion for the natural world and Bioregionalism. Andrea and Felix explore the philosophy of organizing human societies around naturally defined areas, discussing complex systems and the importance of finding community. This conversation is an exploration of the intersections of ecology, culture, and personal growth through Felix's experiences and insights on creating sustainable and meaningful connections with the land and each other.

00:00 Introduction to Bioregionalism

00:43 Félix de Rosen's Background and Journey

01:30 Complex Systems and Community

02:53 Felix's Personal Reflections

05:21 The Importance of Place and People

21:34 Discovering Landscape Architecture

26:37 Understanding Bio Regionalism

30:11 Exploring Systems Thinking and Worldview

31:38 The Intersection of Gardens and Worldviews

36:06 Frustrations and Realizations in Landscape Architecture

39:45 The Importance of Systems Thinking

42:54 Bio Regionalism and Community Building

48:01 Bridging Political Divides through Bio Regionalism

52:25 International Bio Regional Projects

54:37 The Role of Love and Connection to Earth

01:00:30 Agency Deficit Disorder and Hope for the Future

01:01:28 Conclusion and Ways to Connect

Links:

A Garden’s Purpose

The BioFi Project

Polycultura: Planetary Design and Communication

A talk from Felix at the Harvard commencement

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4e philosopher of cognitive science Hanne De Jaegher discusses the profound relationship between loving and knowing as intertwined processes. The first in what we hope to be many conversations about this inspirational work. With Andrea, Hanne explores the idea that thinking and feeling emerge from the same fundamental act of sense-making, which is rooted in our basic, biological existence. De Jaegher shares her personal experiences and how they led to her academic journey studying cognitive science, and then to her work on participatory sense-making. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing both oneness and difference in relationships and the conversation discusses the critical role of noticing and relational awareness. Through various explorations, De Jaegher illustrates how love is an ongoing relational activity that ‘shares a core with knowing’ and that can foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

00:00 The Nature of Love and Sense Making
01:18 Exploring Cognitive Science and Social Cognition
02:58 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
03:52 Hanne’s Academic Journey and Dissertation
05:37 The Philosophy of Love and Knowing
09:38 Personal Reflections on Love and Language
11:48 The Interconnection of Loving, Knowing, and Being
22:26 The Role of Noticing in Relationships
25:36 Philosophical Insights on Ontology and Epistemology
30:03 The Dynamics of Relationships and Sense Making
34:42 The Importance of Holding Tension in Understanding
40:53 The Impact of Loving and Knowing on Personal Growth
47:17 Exploring Abstract Patterns and Sensory Experiences
48:25 Understanding Social Cognition and Autism
56:10 Bridging Cognitive Science and Sociology
58:14 Motivations and Challenges in Academic Life
01:01:15 The Role of Love in Research and Life
01:06:27 Navigating Academic and Personal Challenges
01:18:27 Holding Space and Embracing Multiplicity
01:24:47 Concluding Thoughts on Love and Understanding

Francisco Varela

Loving and Knowing: reflections for an engaged epistemology

Paradoxical Practices (2025) with Elena Cuffari and Rika Preiser

Participatory Sense-Making with Ezequiel Di Paolo

Sense Making (Maturana & Varela)

Living Ways of Sense Making by Evan Thompson

Andy Clark

Hanne’s website and publication list

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 Andrea shares a deeply reflective conversation with renowned journalist Shoma Chaudhury. Originally recorded over a year ago for the Synapse conference, this episode offers an intimate look into Shoma's thought process and career journey. Shoma discusses her approach to holding nuanced, meaningful conversations with a wide variety of people, including some of the most famous figures globally. The episode delves into Shoma's personal experiences of navigating public scrutiny and professional hardships. Through the lens of her experiences, Shoma elaborates on themes of curiosity, compassion, forgiveness, and the complexity of human emotions and interactions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where people with opposing viewpoints can have honest dialogue and the valuable lessons that come from challenging life events. Both Shoma and Andrea explore the role of wonder, love, and respect in developing a more nuanced understanding of the world and ourselves.

00:00 Introduction and Context
01:04 Meet Shoma Chaudry
02:31 The Art of Holding Nuance
03:46 Evolving Perspectives in Journalism
06:44 Navigating Polarized Conversations
09:05 Personal Accountability and Growth
17:02 Respect and Understanding in Conflict
34:39 Spiritual Practices and Personal Resilience
50:48 Exploring Curiosity and Neuroscience
51:48 Influence of Parents and Nature
53:23 The Power of Genuine Curiosity
56:14 The Role of Wonder and Joy
57:49 Navigating a Public Scandal
01:02:21 Lessons from a Media Storm
01:06:41 Finding Peace and Resilience
01:14:42 The Importance of Love and Support
01:17:28 The Healing Power of Conversations
01:19:40 Final Reflections and Gratitude

Synapse Deck: https://tinyurl.com/5eaf2sdb

And a short video: https://tinyurl.com/3rcstp93

Watch the Video

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After Andrea’s introduction, Mirko Prokop talks to Ezequiel Di Paolo about the enactive approach in cognitive science and its roots in Francisco Varela’s work on biological autonomy. They explore the ideas of autonomy and autopoiesis, the deeper meaning of enaction, how biological, sensorimotor and social dimensions of embodiment drive the ongoing, creative process that is human becoming, and what this implies about the meaning of love, authenticity, and the importance of staying true to your questions.

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Ezequiel is a Research Professor at Ikerbasque, the Basque Science Foundation and member of the IAS-Research Centre for Life, Mind and Society at the University of the Basque Country as well as the Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics at the University of Sussex. He is known for key developments of the enactive approach and has published numerous articles and books on this and related topics in cognitive science and philosophy. Most recently, together with Evan Thompson he has reedited the new, annotated edition of Francisco Varela’s book Principles of Biological Autonomy, first published in 1979.

00:00 Intro by Andrea

05:02 Varela’s Principles of Biological Autonomy: From First Encounter to New Edition

11:25 Autopoiesis and Autonomy

19:20 Enaction: Bringing Forth a World

26:38 The Co-Construction of Organism and Environment

33:46 Dimensions of Embodiment

38:35 Enactive Becoming

43:57 The Primordial Tension of Participatory Sense-Making

52:32 What’s Love Got to Do With It?

1:00:36 Authentic Becoming

1:04:40 Staying True to Your Questions

Links to mentioned work by Varela & Co:

Principles of Biological Autonomy (Varela, F., E. Di Paolo and E. Thompson (eds.), 1979/2025, MIT Press)

The Embodied Mind (Thompson, E. Varela, F., and Rosch, E. 1991/2018, MIT Press)

Organism: A Meshwork of Selfless Selves (Varela, F., 1991)

Patterns of Life: Intertwining Identity and Cognition (Varela, F., 1997)

Life after Kant: Natural Purposes and the autopoietic foundations of biological individuality (Weber, A. and Varela, F., 2002)

Autopoiesis, Adaptivity, Teleology, Agency (Di Paolo, E., 2005)

Participatory sense-making: An enactive approach to social cognition (De Jaegher, H., and Di Paolo, E., 2007)

Sensorimotor Life (Di Paolo, E., Buhrmann, T., Barandiaran, X., 2017, OUP)

Linguistic Bodies (Di Paolo, E., De Jaegher, H., and Cuffari, E., 2018, MIT Press)

Enactive Becoming (Di Paolo, E., 2021)

F/acts: Ways of Enactive Worldmaking (Di Paolo, E., 2023)

Mirko Prokop is currently a PhD student at the IAS-Research Centre for Life, Mind and Society at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).

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 This show is about harmonizing the Dao and embracing the world's weirdness at once. Our guest is Eric Schwitzgebel, an analytic philosopher and professor at the University of California Riverside. As they unfold the Dao and the world’s weirdness, Andrea and Eric explore everything from robot consciousness, the love darts of snails, triads, axiology, and the philosophy of opening. Eric shares his journey into classical Chinese philosophy, how we understands harmonizing with the Dao, some of his writings about consciousness, and the importance of appreciating the world's inherent weirdness. This conversation offers a delightful blend of profound ideas and joyous reflections, encouraging us to see weird as a way into new perspectives and perhaps even into love. Hosted by philosopher Andrea Hiott

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00:00 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
00:20 Meet Eric Schwitzgebel: Philosopher and Author
01:37 Exploring the Concept of Harmonizing the Dao
01:52 Journey into Classical Chinese Philosophy
03:59 The Tension Between Analytic and Chinese Philosophy
06:22 Understanding the Dao and Harmony
11:16 The Weird and Wonderful World of Zhuangzi
17:40 The Value of Diversity and Conflict
33:14 The Consciousness of Garden Snails
41:57 Exploring Relationality and Consciousness
43:50 The Consciousness of Plants and Robots
46:52 Philosophical Perspectives on Consciousness
55:38 The Philosophy of Opening vs. Closing
01:10:06 Ethics and Moral Behavior of Ethicists
01:17:43 Love, Marriage, and Harmonizing with the Dao
01:22:16 Final Thoughts and Farewell

The Book we discuss:

The Weirdness of the World

Writings we discuss:

Harmonizing the Dao

Imagining Yourself in Another’s Shoes versus Extending Your Concern: Empirical & Ethical Differences

A Robot Lover's Sociological Argument for Robot Consciousness

Borderline Consciousness

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 Julian Kiverstein is a senior professor at Amsterdam Medical. He's co-authored various papers about the importance of play as it relates to predictive processing, active learning, intimacy and embodied cognition.

Andrea Hiott is a philosopher at Universität Heidelberg.

Sometimes we get stuck in attractor states. Play is a form of disruption that may be able to help us get unstuck. Play seems to be far from algorithmic.

This conversation explores how playfulness is crucial for meaning and flourishing, and how building safe spaces for play (such as museums and parks) are crucial for healthy societies.

Active inference and predictive processing are discussed as tools that might help us better model and understand this ‘sweet spot’ towards finding ways to create spaces where we can explore uncertainty and risk without danger.

Drawing from his extensive work in phenomenology, embodied cognition, and predictive processing, Julian offers fresh perspectives on how play connects to mental health and wellbeing. Some key ideas from this episode:

• Play requires safety yet involves taking risks—a paradoxical relationship that enables personal growth
• Adults often lose the curious openness of childhood as we become fixated on seriousness and habitual patterns
• Love shares qualities with play as both involve transcendence beyond the self and openness to fresh experiences
• Active inference and predictive processing provide frameworks for understanding both mental illness and flourishing
• Breaking out of "attractor states" or fixed patterns requires disruption that playful activities can provide
• Creating safe spaces for play becomes essential for development, creativity, and meaning-making

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00:00 The Role of Play in Well-being
01:50 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
02:45 Exploring Active Inference and Predictive Processing
05:24 The Importance of Play in Development
09:58 Julian's Journey into Mind Studies
12:11 Understanding Mental Illness through Predictive Processing
21:57 The Concept of Play and Its Cognitive Benefits
30:27 Intrinsic Motivation and the Value of Play
44:12 Play as a Disruptive Force in Mental Health
45:09 Understanding Mental Illness and Uncertainty
46:13 The Role of Play in Mental Health
47:38 Creating Safe Spaces for Emotional Regulation
49:05 Exploration vs. Exploitation in Learning
52:03 The Importance of Play in Adulthood
53:35 Art, Literature, and Emotional Engagement
56:55 The Need for Play in Academia
01:20:50 Balancing Exploration and Familiarity
01:23:37 Final Thoughts on Play and Well-being

Play in Predictive Minds

Intimate Places: Playgrounds for self-exploration

Playfulness and the meaningful life with Mark Miller

More of Julian's papers

Stuart Brown and the Institute of Play

JK and Darius Active Inference Institute

Harry Heft Conversation

Karl Friston Conversation

Blog post about Active Inference

4E Cognition

LinkedIn

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 Sabina Leonelli (hosted live here by Fotis Tsiroukis) is a philosopher of science and technology renowned for pioneering work in the philosophy of data & open science. As a professor at the Technical University ofMunich (TUM), she directs the Ethical Data Initiative and leads the PHIL_OS project, which develops empirically grounded frameworks for open science in under-resourced research environments. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges high theory with participatory, on-the-ground research—exemplified by her ethnographic collaborations with biologists and data scientists.

In this episode, host Fotis engages in a deep and wide-ranging conversation with Sabina Leonelli. They explore the intersections between philosophy, science, and society, discussing topics like complementary science, the role of qualitative and quantitative methods in research, the challenges of interdisciplinary work, and the ethical implications of AI and data-driven technologies. Sabina urges us to not fear inconvenience—embracing complexity and discomfort in intellectual and social pursuits. The conversation touches on the necessity of love, vulnerability & collective agency in navigating the modern world, offering profound insights into how we can rethink knowledge production, technology, and politics.

Sabina Leonelli

[00:00:00] Highlights & Introduction

[00:10:41] Interview Begins

[00:11:13] Sabina's Journey

[00:14:17] Fascination with Boundary-Disrespecting Thinkers

[00:16:20] Early Influences & Education

[00:19:21] Challenges of Interdisciplinary Work

[00:20:39] Mentors & Inspirations

[00:23:54] The Approach of Complementary Science

[00:28:37] Collaborating with Scientists as a Philosopher

[00:32:26] Philosophy of Data

[00:36:00] Questions Left Out of Biology

[00:37:40] Coming to terms with Social Epistemology

[00:40:05] Choices & Assumptions in Scientific Research

[00:40:05] Willingness to Engage with the Social Nature of Science

[00:44:05] Willingness to Use Different Methods

[00:48:05] Acknowledging the Role of Quantification

[00:50:27] Knowledge Hierarchies

[00:55:00] Mixed Methods for Global Issues

[00:57:00] Limits of AI: The Case of Medical Expertise

[00:58:52] AI as Complement to Expert Knowledge

[01:02:01] Cultural Obsession with Control & Convenience

[01:03:45] Social Media & Digital Divide

[01:07:20] Regaining Agency Through Politics

[01:12:30] Collective Action & Social Relationships

[01:15:00] Need for Political Engagement

[01:17:20] Contemporary Disillusionment

[01:19:40] Love as a Teacher

[01:22:20] Vulnerability & Human Experience

[01:25:50] Caring as Leverage for Engagement

PHIL_OS Project

Ethical Data Initiative (EDI)

(Book, Open Access) 

Data Shadows (Art-Science Film Collaboration)

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 Andrea in conversation with fellow cognitive scientist Mark Michael James, highlighting his journey from understanding patterns of being to shaping habits and realigning health. Mark shares his experiences from Ireland, his academic pursuits, and his present work at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. This episode delves into synchronicity, embodied cognition, and the philosophies and practices of the arising 'school of way' of practice and philosophy which includes 'wayshaping' and 'waymaking' and pertains to a paper Mark has recently written with Mushfiqa Jamaluddin, Tom Froese, Aisha Belhadi, Anna Panagiotou, and Dave Snowden. It all ties back to practical applications in health, navigating complexity, and striving for a dynamic balance in life. Mark's personal stories and reflections make this a must-watch for anyone interested in cognitive science, philosophy, and the art of living well.

00:00 Introduction to Unexpected Contributions
00:35 Exploring the Concept of 'Craic'
00:56 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:02 Introducing Mark Michael James and His Work
02:23 Discussion on Synchronicity and Relevance Realization
06:47 Mark's Journey to Okinawa
12:39 Navigating Personal and Social Patterns
51:23 Health Challenges and Personal Stories
55:06 Sensory Irregularities and Scripts
56:21 Breaching Experiments and Sociological Insights
57:13 Cultural Patterns and the Irish Concept of 'The Crack'
01:03:26 Health, Habits, and Personal Transformation
01:08:05 Philosophical Reflections and Practical Applications
01:19:49 Wayshaping Framework and Multiscale Health
01:27:57 Personal Reflections and Future Directions

Wayshaping paper

Waymaking

OIST

Mark's website

Also, have a look at this book about Mindshaping by Michelle Maiese.

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TRAILER: Bringing care into public discourse alongside critical thinking.

Hello, everyone. In today's world, we're often pushed into choosing sides and thinking in absolutes. But what if there was another way? Or rather, what if there were many other ways? Welcome to to Love and Philosophy. This is a cumulative philosophy project where we practice kaleidoscopic thinking, moving beyond either/or scenarios to embrace the complexity of existence.

Andrea Hiott, together with other hosts and contributors, gathers philosophers, scientists, and people from all walks of life to explore the intricate connections between love, knowledge, and the patterns that shape our world. Every conversation is deeply researched and spoken from the heart, yet mostly unscripted. This approach allows us to engage in real dialogue, where ideas surprise us, and where it's okay to be messy. As long as we're moving towards what truly matters. Bringing care into public discourse alongside critical thinking.

We delve into the many layers, dimensions, and possibilities of cognition and consciousness. What is the purpose of the body? What does it mean to be sensual? What are the implications of all this life, space, and time around us? We're not only observing these aspects but also taking part in their creation.

Invitation for Contribution or send relevant work or ideas to
write to admin@loveandphilosophy.com

If any of these ideas resonate with you—thinking beyond dichotomy, planetary and constellatory thinking, or kaleidoscopic cognition—we want to hear from you! Do you have a conversation or idea from your life or work that you'd love to share? We're on a collective journey, exploring the world through the eyes of various beings around us, human and otherwise. 

If you know of any poems that relate to these themes, please send them our way. We warmly welcome poetry as a means of expression and connection.

Let's embrace the complexity and share our kaleidoscopic turnings.

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Jessica Böhme is a sustainability scientist, transformation researcher, and founder of the Institute for Practical Eco Philosophy. Jessica shares her journey of exploring the connection between inner transformation and outer change, and how this quest has influenced her personal and professional life. Andrea and Jessica delve into the concept of living philosophically, the role of relational philosophies, and how they impact sustainability. They also discuss the challenges Jessica faced in academia, the significance of personal practices, and her innovative idea of 'philosophy gyms' aimed at integrating philosophy into everyday life for better ecological and business practices in the engineering world. Jessica also talks about her unique lifestyle choices, her artwork, and the broader implications of living a thoughtful, engaged life.

00:00 Introduction to Inner and Outer Change
00:29 Philosophy as a Way of Life
01:59 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:04 Introducing Jessica Böhme
02:37 Exploring Relational Philosophy
03:28 Philosophy Gyms and Ecological Love
04:21 The Knowledge-Action Gap
06:50 Jessica's Academic Journey
09:42 Inner Transformation and Sustainability
10:01 Mechanistic vs. Relational Worldview
12:34 Challenges in Sustainability Science
13:39 The Complexity of Relational Thinking
32:05 Philosophy as a Living Process
37:13 The Paradox of Science and Health
38:13 Personal and Planetary Health
39:43 Patterns in Health and Consumption
40:47 The Role of Awareness and Choice
42:28 Practical Eco Philosophy
44:04 Micro Habits and Daily Practices
48:34 Living Philosophically
59:44 The Concept of Wild
01:01:04 Art and Expression
01:04:51 Philosophy Gyms and Experiments
01:08:59 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Jessica's Blog

Institute for Practical ekoPhilosophy

Pierre Hadot: Philosophy as a Way of Life

Karen Barad

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The line between a psychotic break and success is not quite as clear as it once was, nor is the question of what medication, therapy, or practice is best, or in what amount. This conversation tries to unpack that liminal space with a man who knows it well and has been able to stay connected to the love in it.

In this episode of Love and Philosophy, Andrea engages in an in-depth conversation with Tom Morgan, exploring the complexities of love, philosophy, and personal transformation. They discuss the challenging balance between high-functioning careers and spiritual pursuits, the misconceptions around self-sacrifice and service, and the importance of community in navigating life transitions. Tom shares his personal journey from a high-stress finance career through an awakening experience, detailing his struggles with mental health, the role of psychiatric medication, and the lessons he's learned about integrating holistic and scientific perspectives. This episode delves into the nuanced intersections of mental health, personal growth, and the pursuit of meaning, offering invaluable insights for anyone on a similar path.

00:00 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
00:06 Exploring the Concept of Love
01:06 Introducing Tom Morgan
01:57 Tom's Journey from Finance to Philosophy
03:28 Balancing Wealth and Well-being
05:42 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality
08:28 Tom's Personal Awakening
13:54 Navigating the Hero's Journey
20:10 Challenges of Spiritual Integration
23:10 Holding the Tension Between Worlds
43:54 The Choice to Change
45:38 The Struggle with Identity and Career
47:07 Understanding Self-Sacrifice vs. Service
47:46 The Paradox of Complexity
51:01 The Role of Ketamine and Mental Health
58:56 Integrating Spiritual and Physical Health
01:06:45 The Importance of Community Support
01:09:58 Navigating High-Functioning Anxiety
01:17:23 Embracing Love and Contribution
01:22:50 The Future of Consciousness and Society

Professional Qalifications & Photo Ref (Wall Street, philosophy degree from Oxford, etc.)

The Leading Edge

Tom's Substack

Andrea's Substack

Hero's Journey

Jill Bolte Taylor

Victor Frankl — 'What is to give light must endure burning.'

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A heart-meets-mind discussion about complexity science and its suprising relation to Daoism, with physicist Jean Boulton. The conversation explores how stability and change are part of a reflexive interweaving of relationships, the importance of actions and behaviors in co-creating the future, and the role of compassion and love in fostering resilience. We also touch on the profound influence of spiritual practices such as Taoism and Buddhism on understanding complexity. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of integrating heart and mind, and how seemingly small, compassionate acts can create significant shifts. Whether you're interested in spiritual traditions, scientific perspectives, or personal development, this episode offers a rich tapestry of insights to inspire and guide you.

Visit Jean's website

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00:00 Introduction to Change and the Dao

00:33 The Interconnectedness of Actions and Behaviors

01:11 Embracing Complexity and Wider Perspectives

01:43 Guest Introduction: Jean's Background and Interests

01:50 Understanding Complexity in Science and Everyday Life

04:03 The Mechanistic Worldview vs. Complexity Science

06:29 Personal Journey: From Physics to Philosophy

08:09 The Influence of Family and Early Philosophical Interests

11:14 Process Complexity and the Dao

11:41 The Paradox of Stability and Change

13:31 The Role of Context and History in Shaping Patterns

14:11 Discovering Daoism and Its Connection to Complexity

15:47 The Nuances of Daoism in Understanding Complexity

19:21 The Importance of Actions, Intentions, and Purpose

26:13 The Role of Attention and Noticing in Complexity

27:55 Integrating Heart, Mind, and Body in Complexity Science

33:23 The Embodied Experience of Complexity

35:02 The Interdisciplinary Nature of Complexity

36:04 Meditation and Embodiment

37:19 Tibetan Yoga and Compassion

40:16 Childhood and Personal Growth

42:42 Societal Wounds and Addictions

Loving & Knowing

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(Kaufmann Neworks are Boolean: see here if you want to know more, but you don't need to know anything about them to understand this episode)

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Embracing Uncertainty: Barry O'Reilly on Software Architecture and Philosophy

In this episode of Love and Philosophy, we sit down with Barry O'Reilly, a seasoned software architect with a deep background in pure mathematics and experience at top companies like Microsoft. He discusses his innovative concept, Residuality Theory, which introduces complexity theory into software development for the first time. Barry explains how traditional linear thinking in coding often leads to rigid and brittle constructs that fail to adapt to the constantly changing business environments. By embracing paradoxes and uncertainties using theories from philosophy and complexity sciences, Barry offers a new perspective on software architecture that combines the logical rigor of code with the adaptability required for real-world human systems. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that bridges the gap between coding and philosophy, and learn how embracing uncertainty can lead to more resilient and flexible software solutions.

00:00 The Rigidity of Software vs. The Chaos of Business
00:46 The Philosophical Roots of Computer Science
01:28 The Architect's Paradox: Linear Thinking vs. Human Systems
02:20 Introducing Residue: Adapting to Change
03:16 The Relief of Embracing Uncertainty
04:16 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
11:34 Meet Barry O'Reilly: From Math to Software Architecture
16:02 The Journey to Complexity Theory
21:25 Handling Uncertainty in Software Projects
26:47 The Evolution of Software Engineering
31:42 The Birth of Residue and Ity Theory
38:17 The Need for a New Philosophical Approach
43:36 The Immaturity of Software Engineering
46:03 Personal Frustrations and Philosophical Pursuits
46:40 The Reflective Practitioner and Instinctive Problem Solving
47:13 Linear Thinking vs. Embracing Uncertainty
49:34 Philosophical Foundations in Software Engineering
01:05:03 Hyper Liminality and System Resilience
01:13:45 The Role of Play and Forgiveness in Software Development
01:19:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Architect's Paradox: Uncertainty and the Philosophy of Software Architecture

Residues: Time, Change, and Uncertainty in Software Architecture.

You Tube Talks:

Residuality Theory

Architect's Paradox

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Andrea sits down with Kevin Kelly, a true pioneer in the world of technology and futurism. Known for his foundational work with Whole Earth, Wired Magazine and definitive pieces like '1000 True Fans,' Kelly shares insights from his early fascination with science fiction to his groundbreaking contributions in understanding and shaping the digital age and technological ideas. They discuss the profound influence of science fiction on technological advancements, the humanizing impact of the internet, and the vital importance of travel and curiosity for finding meaning. Kelly explains the nuanced continuum between biology and technology, the concept of 'hill making' versus 'hill climbing' in innovation, and how love and community remain central to his work. As they delve into Kelly's latest book 'Excellent Advice for Living,' this conversation offers rich perspectives on maintaining creativity, embracing complexity, and fostering an optimistic outlook in an ever-evolving world.

00:00 Introduction and Early Influences
00:05 The Role of Science Fiction in Shaping Technology
01:58 Discovering the Internet as a New Frontier
04:30 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
04:36 Kevin Kelly's Background and Achievements
09:30 Early Encounters with Computers
14:28 The Humanizing Effect of the Internet
17:42 Meeting Stewart Brand and the Whole Earth Catalog
28:01 The Importance of Travel and Broader Perspectives
33:38 The Transformative Power of Travel
34:37 Embracing Unique Paths in Life
35:47 The Value of Time Over Money
40:16 The Birth of Artificial Life and Wired Magazine
46:34 The Paradox of Progress and Creativity
53:38 The Importance of Noticing and Small Steps
01:01:33 Hill Making vs. Hill Climbing
01:02:59 Final Thoughts on Love and Life

Excellent Advice for Living

Kevin Kelly on Substack

https://kk.org/

Stewart Brand

Whole Earth Catalogue and Whole Earth Review

the WELL

WIRED Magazine

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LinkedIn

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Participatory sense-making is a term coined by Hanne De Jaegher & Ezequiel Di Paolo. Both these philosophers will be featured in upcoming episodes.

Andrea Hiott hosts Rebecca Todd, Shay Welch, and Penijean Gracefire explore intricate themes of participatory sensemaking, the concept of the 'third entity,' and the impact of trauma and love on interpersonal relationships. The discussion delves into how the body acts as a data-gathering device, how sensory inputs shape our understanding of the world, and the importance of mutual sense-making in a highly complex and often overwhelming environment. Each speaker shares their unique perspectives and experiences, from cognitive neuroscience to ethical interactions, ultimately highlighting the significance of staying connected both with others and oneself. This conversation is intellectually stimulating and emotionally enriching, drawing on neuroscience, philosophy, and mental health to offer fresh insights into navigating the complexities of human interaction.

00:00 Introduction to the Body as a Data Gathering Device
00:57 The Futility of Communication and Social Media
02:35 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:52 Participatory Sense Making and Social Cognition
04:46 Meet the Three: Beck Todd, Shay Welch, and Penijean Gracefire
05:46 Rebecca Todd: Cognitive Neuroscience and Life Experience
08:13 Penijean Gracefire: Neurotechnology and Human Function
12:21 Shay Welch: Philosophy, Public Art, and Participatory Sensemaking
15:50 Exploring the Concept of the Body
23:09 The Role of EEG in Understanding the Brain
52:36 The Impact of Trauma on Sensemaking
53:25 Introduction to Anchors and Interactions
54:14 Effortful Sense Making Shaped by Love
55:16 Individual Differences in Sensory Systems
56:24 Neuromodulation and Sense Making
59:24 Visualization and Communication Challenges
01:03:07 Complexity Fatigue and Bandwidth
01:14:11 Neuromodulation Device Experiment
01:20:35 Participatory Sense Making with the More-than-Human World
01:29:34 Challenges of Virtual Interaction
01:36:48 The Futility and Hope of Communication

L&P Newsletter

PSM Paper

A Multiplicity of Worlds

What is Participatory Sense-making and Why Should We Care?

Steve Paxton, originator of the practice of contact improvisation, himself says:  “The reason it’s called contact improvisation is because there is a third entity that arises in the state – it is the state of agreement between the two of you that neither one is leading. It doesn’t become leaderless, the two of you are leading.” Source

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Andrea and Fotis (a guest host of L&P) explore the intricate world of podcasting. Fotis, returning from a previous episode and getting ready to do his second podcast for L&P, asks Andrea about the podcast's growth. In this unplanned chat, the two talk a bit about what podcasts mean to them, Game B, the intersection of various disciplines, and the broader impact of podcasting as a medium. They discuss the research and connective side of podcasting and reflect on this new journey, sharing insights on authenticity, community-building, and the challenges of navigating complex topics. Tune in for a quick half-hour chat that delves into their motivations, the evolution of their podcast, and the significance of having meaningful, open-hearted conversations that come from a place of love, even when they are challenging.

01:13 Discussing Podcast Growth and Community
02:02 The Philosophy Behind Podcasting
05:25 Challenges and Responsibilities of Content Creation
07:30 Interconnectedness and Network Building
11:15 The Unique Nature of Podcasts
12:14 Exploring Diverse Podcast Communities
26:02 Future Directions and Personal Reflections
34:31 Concluding Thoughts and Next Steps

https://lovephilosophy.substack.com/
Game B animation
Waymaking
Sign up for newsletter: https://lovephilosophy.substack.com/
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https://www.facebook.com/waymaking/
https://bsky.app/profile/lovephilosophy.substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/waymaking23/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-at-ecological-orientation/

LinkedIn Fotis

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Ritournelle is a concept created by Gilles Deleuze & Felix Guattari for A Thousand Plateaus (1987.) It's the main subject of 11th plateau 1837: Of the refrain. In this episode of 'Love and Philosophy,' host Andrea Hiott engages in a deep and thought-provoking conversation with philosopher, psychologist, and poet Bayo Akomolafe. They discuss the transformative power of love, the complexities beyond binary categorizations, and the idea of life as a process filled with relational tensions and incompleteness. The discussion covers Bayo's personal journey, including reflections on his father and his book 'These Wilds Beyond Our Fences.' They explore themes of care, disruption, and the radical incompleteness of reality, providing listeners with insights into how we can embrace the multiplicities of being human. Host of this episode is philosopher Andrea Hiott.

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Bayo Akomolafe
https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/

These Wilds Beyond Our Fences

00:00 Introduction to Categories and Relational Tensions
02:20 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:43 Introducing Bayo Akomolafe
03:19 Themes of the Podcast and Bayo's Background
05:36 Binaries and Relationality
09:11 Personal Reflections and Philosophical Insights
09:46 The Concept of Retournello and Repetition
10:56 Navigating Categories and Structures
12:22 The Story of Bayo's Daughter
14:17 Philosophical Reflections on Life and Death
23:05 The Role of Trauma and Healing
32:11 The Pandemic and Societal Reflections
36:42 Love as Radical Incompleteness
38:27 Conclusion and Farewell

host and philosopher Andrea Hiott

Love and Philosophy in Video

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Life is not built by blocks but by lines woven together according to Tim Ingold, emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of Aberdeen and a leading thinker in anthropology and philosophy. Tim Ingold and Andrea Hiott explore key themes from Tim's influential works, such as 'Anthropology: Why It Matters' and 'Lines,' discussing how life is a continuous journey along interwoven threads and traces shaped by our every action. Building on Gibson, Deleuze,  Hallowell, Merleau-Ponty, and others, Ingold's idea of 'wayfaring' as our fundamental mode of being challenges traditional distinctions between nature and culture, mind and body, and forces us out of block-mind and into traces and threads of life interwoven. This enriching dialogue touches on the importance of awareness, attention, and responsibility, offering insights into how these ideas can help us navigate toward a world where love and respect for life are central. Whether it's through storytelling, music, or everyday actions, learn how our paths shape our humanity and influence the futures we create. This episode is an opportunity to reflect on how we should live together in a world full of possibility, a world we love enough to take responsibility for together.

00:00 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
00:05 Introducing Tim Ingold and His Work
00:43 The Concept of Lines in Life
01:43 Wayfaring and Life as a Process
02:54 The Importance of Awareness and Responsibility
04:18 Tim Ingold's Influences and Philosophical Approach
10:28 Tim Ingold's Early Life and Inspirations
17:26 Fieldwork and Anthropology
25:16 Challenging Traditional Divisions in Science and Humanities
32:07 The Evolution of Tim Ingold's Thought
48:47 Revisiting Nature and Culture
51:48 Anthropology as a Conversation
54:46 The Anthropological Conversation
56:12 Subject and Object in Anthropology
57:58 The Middle Voice of the Verb
59:39 Crafting and Teaching
01:06:38 The Concept of Lines
01:13:24 Embodiment and Attention
01:27:42 The Future of Technology and Education
01:39:52 Hope for the Future

https://www.timingold.com/

Lines, the book

Anthropology, why it matters

‘For we are made of lines. We are not only referring to lines of writing. Lines of writing conjugate with other lines, life lines, lines of luck or misfortune, lines productive of the variation of the line of writing itself, lines that are between the lines of writing.’

— Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, A Thousand Plateaus

A great interview with Tim Ingold by Juan Loaiza for ENSO.

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 "If a thing loves, it is infinite" William Blake: 

In this episode of Love and Philosophy, Andrea engages with Clive Grinyer, a renowned industrial and service designer and the director of Project Love. The discussion centers around how design can be a catalyst for fostering love, empathy, and compassion in society, and how this is a form of collective cognition. They explore various innovative projects, including a conversational bench, a heat map app, and a secular gravestone for natural beauty spots. The conversation delves into the philosophy behind design and how it influences our daily interactions and emotions. Grinyer shares insights from his extensive experience and highlights the transformative impact of design thinking in both personal and societal contexts.

Watch the video with powerpoint here.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Design
01:17 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:43 Introducing Clive Grinyer and Project Love
06:19 Exploring Love Through Design
07:17 Defining Love and Design
21:39 Innovative Projects and Concepts
28:59 Community and Societal Impact
35:47 The Social Impact of Design
35:51 Designing for Sustainability and Economic Viability
36:01 The Complexity and Perception of Design
36:19 The Role of AI in Design
36:59 Technology and Human Experience
37:19 Design in Everyday Life
38:16 The Evolution of Technology Design
39:22 Emotional Design and User Experience
40:25 Project Love: Designing for Compassion
01:02:00 Empathy in Design
01:04:39 Future Directions and Community Building

Project Love

https://www.theprojectlove.com/

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About Clive:

"Clive Grinyer is an internationally renowned designer who has led global design teams at Samsung, Cisco, Orange and Barclays, worked at design consultancy IDEO, and was co-founder of the design company Tangerine. Starting as a product designer he has moved across digital, customer experience and service design and was Director of Design for the UK Design Council. As Head of Service Design at the Royal College of Art, he pioneered design as a tool for social impact, shaping how we respond to the environmental crisis and develop life services including financial and healthcare. He is an advisor and delivers executive training to companies including Bosch, the Dorchester Collection of hotels, and the Bank of England. Clive was a trustee of the Royal Society of Arts, Chair of the Design Business Association Effectiveness awards and visiting professor at the Glasgow School of Art. He is currently based in London."

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'Needful Freedom' comes from the work of philosopher Hans Jonas and though this podcast is not about Jonas, Andrea and Mike discuss this term towards understanding the skill of the future.

Mike's bio: "Ex-tech exec, now a reluctant Cassandra. Penning dispatches from democracy's peril at notesfromthecircus.com. Unmasking the unholy alliance of Silicon Valley and aspiring despots. 2+2=4, even when power insists otherwise."

Cognitive Revolution: Mike Brock on Love, Truth, and the Future of Democracy:

In this deep and thought-provoking episode, Mike Brock, an ex-tech executive and renowned writer, dives into the essence of human flourishing, liberal philosophy, and the crises we face today. With a powerful call for a cognitive revolution, Brock explores the balance between freedom and obligation, the pitfalls of technology, and the importance of love and shared understanding in navigating uncertainty. This conversation spans from historical insights to current events, offering a nuanced perspective on what it means to stay human in a rapidly changing world.

Notes From the Circus

The Manifesto of the Cognitive Revolution

The Matrix as an Example

Phenomenon of Life by Hans Jonas (Di Paolo)

00:00 Introduction to Human Flourishing and Liberalism
02:11 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:23 Introducing Mike Brock
03:16 The Cognitive Revolution and Love
05:31 The Role of Algorithms and Technology
06:41 The Grand Praxis and Emotional Honesty
32:44 Exploring Liberalism and Its Tensions
45:20 The Problem with Marxism and Liberalism
47:24 The Liberal Frontier and Welfare State
50:02 Debating Bias and Neutrality
01:14:35 The Crisis of Epistemic Fragmentation
01:18:39 The Role of Technology in Human Experience
01:30:18 The Fear of Asking Questions
01:30:54 Tech Oligarchs and Social Media Impact
01:33:44 The Cognitive Revolution
01:36:31 Praxis and Emotional Connection
01:37:40 The Role of a Prosecutor in Memetic Warfare
01:41:03 The Importance of Intellectual Honesty
01:41:46 The Intersection of Love and Philosophy
01:56:16 The Tension Between Creation and Chaos
01:57:16 The Legacy of Thinkers: Sagan and Hitchens
02:12:26 The Necessity of Intellectual Gatekeeping
02:14:31 The Importance of Understanding and Dialogue
02:15:37 Path Dependency and Shared Experiences
02:16:41 Frustrations with Social Justice Activism
02:17:48 The Role of Persuasion in Social Progress
02:21:32 AI Governance and Democratic Values
02:23:03 The Dangers of Algorithmic Thinking
02:31:06 Elon Musk and the Temptation of Efficiency
02:41:54 The Call for a Cognitive Revolution
02:53:25 Final Thoughts and Advice for Authentic Living

Clear Thinking vs. Curtis Yarvin

Doppler Effect

Sacrifice, Truth, and Why We Fight

A Treatise on Love

The Grand Praxis

View from Here

Mike's Philosophical Statement

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#paradox of #love and #agency Yogi aka. Johannes Jaeger like to fashion himself as a natural philosopher. After having his own lab and being the director of an institute in Vienna he left academia for pursuing intellectual production independently. He is part of an science-art collective in Vienna called The Zone. His focus has been primarily focused on his book, Beyond the Age of #Machines, which he had been publishing incrementally in digital form. Fotis Tsiroukis is a cross-disciplinary researcher interested in the intersection between humanities, science and new media. Also a cyborg...

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Johannes Jaeger
The Zone

LinkedIn Fotis
Research Fotis

Giving Page

In this episode of the Love & Philosophy Podcast, host Fotis engages in a deep and
thought-provoking conversation with Johannes "Yogi" Jaeger, a freelance scholar and biologist-turned-philosopher. Yogi critiques the dominant "machine worldview" that has shaped modernity, arguing that it has led human civilization to a dangerous "cliff edge". He advocates for a shift towards a process-oriented, relational metaphysics that emphasizes the interconnectedness of living systems and the limitations of computational models. Yogi also discusses the pitfalls of AI, the dangers of technological hubris, and the need for a new kind of science that reconnects us with reality. The conversation touches on themes of agency, the limitations of a computationalist worldview and the importance of tough love in guiding humanity towards a more sustainable and meaningful future.

#computationalism

1. [00:00:00] Snippets
2. [00:02:10] Introduction (by Fotis)
3. [00:10:00] Yogi as a Natural Philosopher
4. [00:13:00] Critique of Modern Science
5. [00:14:30] Yogi’s Journey of Dissilusionment: from Molecular Biologist to Freelance
Theorist
6. [00:20:00] The Problem with the Academic System
7. [00:25:00] The Need for a New Metaphysics
8. [00:28:00] Getting Back in Touch with Reality
9. [00:32:00] Postmodernism & Metamodernism
10. [00:36:00] The Danger of Technological Hubris
11. [00:40:00] Complexity Science and the Pitfalls of the Computationalist Wordlview
12. [00:45:00] The Illusion of Total Control
13. [00:49:00] The Misuse of AI
14. [00:54:00] Preping for the Collapse of this Civilization
15. [00:57:00] AI "Agents" aren't Real Agents
16. [01:05:00] The Illusion of AI Sentience
17. [01:10:00] The Free Energy Principle and Reductionism
18. [01:20:00] The Importance of Relevance Realization
19. [01:25:00] The Role of Relationality and Connection
20. [01:30:00] Tough Love for Humanity
21. [01:35:00] Closing Thoughts

Yogi's Theory Paper on Dynamical
Metamodernism Primer

Bluesky: 
@lovephilosophy.substack.com

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 Elena Clare Cuffari is a Professor at Franklin and Marshall College. Shay Welch is a professor at Spelman College in Atlanta. In this episode, they discuss embodied cognition and participatory sensemaking in relation to marginalized body epistemologies. They share insights from a recent conference that brought together diverse perspectives on how embodied cognition intersects with issues of race, gender, and activism. Welch emphasizes that she never separates her scholarship from her personal life, seeing philosophy as inherently connected to her lived experience. Cuffari highlights the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of her work with colleagues, which seeks to challenge traditional philosophical boundaries. They address the challenges of integrating marginalized voices into academic fields and the importance of recognizing the body's knowledge. The conversation also touches on the discomfort that arises in both academic and social contexts when established norms are challenged, and how this requires responsibility beyond blame.
 
 00:00 Building a Community for Philosophical Dialogue
 02:02 Introduction to Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking
 02:22 Exploring Personal Philosophical Interests
 04:11 Defining Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking
 08:08 The Roots and Relevance of Embodied Cognition
 15:14 Challenges in Academia and Marginalized Philosophies
 28:51 The Concept of Normalcy in Philosophy and Society
 37:17 Addressing Misunderstandings in Philosophy
 39:34 Inclusivity and Change in Philosophy
 43:18 Discomfort and Openness in Philosophical Inquiry
 49:44 Marginalized Body Epistemologies
 01:01:43 The Intersection of Philosophy and Personal Experience
 01:05:57 Reflections on the Conference and Future Directions

Click to Substack page here for references and more.

Shay Welch: https://spelman.academia.edu/shaywelch

Read Rebecca Todd's post about Shay 

Elena Cuffari: https://www.elenaclarecuffari.com/

Women in embodied Cognition: https://women-4e.com/

Oxford Handbook of 4E Cognition

What is Feminist Phenomenology?

The Phenomenology of a Performative Knowledge System: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-04936-2#bibliographic-information

Linguistic Bodies: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547864/linguistic-bodies/

Shay interview

Elena motivation

The quote Shay reads is chapter 8 of this book:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oppression-and-the-body-christine-caldwell/1126641713

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In this episode, which was recorded in the autumn of 2024, Andrea Hiott talks with environmental philosopher and public intellectual Rupert Read. They delve into Read's realization that 'this civilization is finished,' his engagement with Wittgenstein's philosophy (especially the book he edited with Alice Crary), his subsequent involvement with Extinction Rebellion, how he has come to understand crisis as inflections of love, and the 'moving forward' work of the Climate Majority Project. The conversation explores themes of crisis, consciousness, intergenerational solidarity, and the liberating power of love and truth in the face of existential challenges. Read shares insights from his academic and activist career, emphasizing the importance of inner work, eco-spirituality, and the collective struggle for a better future.

00:00 A Shocking Revelation
00:20 Philosophy and Freedom
01:02 Wittgenstein's Wonderful Life
01:20 Embracing Difficult Emotions
02:29 Introduction to the Interview
02:33 Rupert Reed's Background
04:21 Philosophy as Therapy
05:06 Love as Action
07:51 Rupert Reed's Crisis
09:50 Philosophy and Personal Crisis
11:33 Wittgenstein's Liberatory Philosophy
23:28 Spiritual Practices and Eco-Spirituality
37:05 Climate Courage Campaign
39:16 The Importance of Truth
44:07 The Path to Truthfulness
44:55 The Revelation: Civilization is Finished
46:49 Engaging with Students and Public Reaction
47:54 Joining Extinction Rebellion
48:50 The Challenge of Facing Hard Realities
51:18 The Importance of Paradox and Love
55:21 The Role of Anxiety and Dreams
57:48 Extinction Rebellion's Evolution
01:01:49 The Climate Majority Project
01:10:51 Intergenerational Solidarity and Responsibility
01:17:24 Embracing Difficult Emotions
01:22:50 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Action

Links to what we discuss:

New Wittgenstein book with Alice Crary

Cora Diamond

Civil Disobedience

Love in the time of Corona

New Statesmen Article

Joanna Macy

Foucault
Rupert on Politics Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5oAr9q277g 

https://dark-mountain.net/the-deluge/

https://www.parentsforafuture.org/ 

Thrutopia https://youtu.be/b1trbea-BkU?si=YlhO13yioc6jTekO

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 Decoding the Empowerment Measurement in AI and Robotics with Dari Trendafilov. Dari has a PhD in Computing Science from the University of Glasgow, UK. His research interests are situated at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Human–Computer Interaction. He specialized in probabilistic information-theoretic modelling of complex systems and analysis of computational and interactive cognitive systems in the context of social and human–robot interaction. Towards his aim of establishing the fundamental information processing principles driving decision-making in living organisms, he has developed information-theoretic models and tools for the study of human sensorimotor dynamics, robotic and simulated systems, based on behavioural and physiological sensing and analysis.

In this episode, Andrea and Dari explore the concept of empowerment in the context of artificial intelligence and robotics. The discussion covers Claude Shannon's information theory, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, and the application of these theories in human-computer interaction and swarm robotics. Dari shares insights from his research on swarm intelligence and the use of evolutionary algorithms for collective decision-making. The episode also touches on the broader implications of modeling intelligence and the dynamic interaction between agents and their environments.

00:00 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
00:11 Understanding Empowerment and Information Theory
01:41 Empowerment in Artificial Intelligence
04:43 Robotics and Human Interaction
06:56 Exploring the Concept of Empowerment
19:29 Swarm Robotics and Collective Intelligence
33:59 Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
40:36 Modeling Nature Through Robotics
42:38 The Journey to Empowerment Research
43:28 Challenges in Human-Computer Interaction
44:04 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Usability
44:50 Usability Engineering and Market Demands
45:30 Formal Models and Theories in HCI
47:20 Understanding Empowerment in HCI
51:01 The Role of Affordances
52:33 Introduction to Empowerment
53:07 Empowerment in Practice
53:33 Empowerment as a Measure
01:00:56 Applications and Implications of Empowerment
01:08:11 Swarm Robotics and Collective Intelligence
01:14:16 Modeling Intelligence and Future Directions

Empowerment papers

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1201.6583
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2003.08158
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2203.03355
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1710.05101
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1509.08731
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2801531/
Empowerment Paper

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  Exploring Human Embodiment and Conviviality with Thomas Fuchs, the Karl Jaspers Professor of Philosophy and Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany

Join Andrea for an insightful conversation with Thomas Fuchs, a philosopher and psychiatrist at Universität Heidelberg, as they delve into his book, 'In Defense of the Human Being.' Explore the profound questions about our distinctiveness from machines, the concept of 'conviviality,' and the essence of human embodiment. They discuss the oscillation between self-aggrandizement and self-contempt and how intersubjectivity and embodied experiences are central to understanding what it means to be human. Discover how modern technology impacts our self-perception and the importance of regaining a balanced relationship with our body and others. This episode is a deep dive into the notions of self-awareness, bodily presence, and the interrelation of life, mind, and technology.

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00:00 Introduction: Are We Distinct from Machines?
01:32 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
01:36 Introducing Thomas Fuchs and His Work
02:15 Conviviality and Intersubjectivity
03:51 The Theory of Mind and Human Experience
07:56 The Defense of the Human Being
08:51 The Impact of Technology and Transhumanism
18:18 Embodiment and the Human Condition
24:23 The Illusion of Mind-Body Separation
40:29 The Role of Intersubjectivity
57:53 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

In Defense of the Human Body
Thomas Fuchs, Karl Jaspers Professor of Philosophy and Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Germany

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 Mark Solms | Part 2 | Can love bring us beyond traditional divides?

Mark Solms is a professor in the Department of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town: "My early research focused on the brain mechanisms of sleep and dreaming led to an interest in consciousness, which is currently my major focus. My emphasis is on brainstem mechanisms of consciousness and the foundational role of affect, emotional affect in particular. This work has included applications to various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anosognosia and confabulatory amnesia, and, more recently, depression and addiction."

In this episode, Andrea and Mark discuss the intricate dimensions of love and consciousness. Solms and Hiott explore the various elements that constitute love, including romantic love, attachment, and care. Solms highlights the complexities of human emotions and how they integrate into love and relationships. Solms also discusses the concepts of narcissism, object love, and how the integration of different emotional drives forms advanced states of mind. The conversation touches on the importance of subjectivity in neuroscience, the development of self-awareness, and Freud's contribution to understanding human nature. The episode provides a nuanced look at how feelings are fundamental to conscious experience and the obligation of science to incorporate subjectivity into its worldview.

00:00 Understanding Consciousness and Self-Awareness
00:55 The Complexity of Love and Relationships
02:47 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
04:48 Exploring the Concept of Love
05:40 The Components of Romantic Love
08:20 Attachment and Care in Relationships
11:56 Balancing Emotions in Love
17:18 The Role of Feelings in Human Nature
29:05 Exploring the Nature of Love in Mammals
30:33 Philosophical Love: The Quest for Knowledge
31:25 Lust and Its Complex Relationship with Love
32:42 Freud's Concept of Narcissism
35:22 Integrating Lust and Attachment
43:36 The Evolution of Consciousness
51:28 Freud's Scientific Project and Subjectivity
57:05 Balancing Objective and Subjective Realities
01:00:08 Concluding Thoughts on Love and Consciousness

Mark Solms
Hidden Spring
Love and Its Place in Nature

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 Logic, Self-consciousness, and the continuity of mind and life: This episode is with Karen Ng, author of Hegel's Concept of Life, and an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. Andrea and Karen discuss Hegel's concept of life, self-consciousness, and the problem of contradiction, emphasizing how life and love are fundamental to understanding his ideas. The episode moves through Kant's influence on Hegel, internal and external purposiveness, and how these philosophical concepts relate to our modern understanding of the mind, nature, and meaning. Karen shares her journey and insights on making Hegel’s complex ideas accessible and relevant to contemporary issues.

Philosopher Karen Ng
Hegel's Concept of Life

00:00 Hegel's Contradictory Philosophy

00:31 The Concept of Life and Self-Consciousness

02:48 Karen Ng's Insights on Hegel

09:48 Understanding Hegel's Rationalism

17:57 Kant's Influence and the Copernican Turn

25:11 Mechanism vs. Teleology in Philosophy

29:57 Internal vs. External Purposiveness

37:08 Life as Process and Meaning

40:34 Hegel's Radical Thought on Intelligibility and Life

41:44 The Connection Between Life and Meaning

42:25 Hegel's Perspective on Self-Consciousness and Life

44:14 The Role of Logic and Life in Hegel's Philosophy

49:46 Hegel's Critique of Cartesian Dualism

51:31 The Speculative Identity Thesis and Cognition

53:36 Modern Philosophical Challenges and Hegel's Relevance

54:26 Hegel's Influence and Contemporary Philosophers

01:01:28 The Journey of Writing a Book on Hegel

01:09:05 Hegel's Concept of Love and Life

01:14:46 Concluding Thoughts on Hegel's Philosophy

 Karen Ng at Vanderbilt University

“True union, or love proper, exists only between living beings who are alike in power and thus in one another’s eyes living beings from every point of view; in no respect is either dead for the other.”

“… love is a sensing of something living …”

These Hegel quotes that Karen mentions are from the fragment on love, published in Early Theological Writings, trans. T.M. Knox, UPenn Press, 1975. The passages are on pages 304 and 305. And the German can be found in volume 1 of the Suhrkamp edition of Hegel’s Werke.

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  Happy 2025 ❤️ everyone.
Philosopher Evan Thompson discusses 'The Blind Spot' which delves into the complexities of human perception, science, and the interconnectedness of nature. Together Andrea Hiott and Evan Thompson explore themes such as the impact of idealized scientific models on our understanding of reality, the importance of integrating arts and humanities with STEM disciplines, and the urgency of addressing ecological and meaning crises. The episode also touches on the historical context and influences behind Thompson's work, including his upbringing around pioneering thinkers like Lynn Margulis, Francisco Varela and Gregory Bateson. Evan wrote The Blind Spot with astrophysicist Adam Frank and theoretical physicist Marcelo Gleiser.

00:00 Understanding the Crisis: Human Impact on the Planet
02:25 Introduction to Love and Philosophy
02:46 Interview with Philosopher Evan Thompson
03:02 Exploring Evan Thompson's Background and Influences
04:36 Discussing 'The Blind Spot' and Its Themes
05:32 The Concept of Crisis and Its Philosophical Roots
06:18 The Parable of Temperature and Scientific Abstraction
21:40 The Bifurcation of Nature and Its Implications
35:19 Philosophical Practices and Cognitive Humility
41:06 Philosophers with a Scientific Background
41:35 The Crisis of Meaning in Science
42:26 Science Triumph and Denial
44:36 Educational Emphasis on STEM
45:36 Technology and Scientific Models
47:02 Atoms, Electrons, and Reality
50:07 Large Language Models and Understanding
56:53 The Evolution of Cognitive Science
01:00:24 The Influence of Heterodox Thinkers
01:14:31 The Importance of Love in Knowledge
01:17:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

The Blind Spot
Evan Thompson
Einstein and Bergson

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  Karl Friston has ranked as 'the most influential brain scientist in the world' and been called a genius (as in the WIRED magazine piece), though many find his work mysterious. The melody of this unique conversation between Karl and Andrea, however, is the concept of 'flow' and how it relates to making the right choices within a constantly changing world. Andrea and Karl also explore Friston's significant contributions, including active inference and the free energy principle, discussing how these models might provide a first-principles account of sentient behavior. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the mathematics and neuroscience behind Friston's theories to practical implications in understanding human behavior and consciousness. It also touches on the theme of interconnectedness, emphasizing the importance of listening, empathy, and holding paradoxes to understand the patterns that connect various scales of life and cognition.

00:00 Introduction to Flow and Existence
02:42 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
02:53 Holiday Episode and One-Year Anniversary
03:59 Introducing Karl Friston and His Work
04:32 Understanding the Free Energy Principle
04:59 The Intersection of Math, Neuroscience, and Everyday Life
12:24 Karl Friston's Journey and Contributions
21:16 The Role of Psychiatry in Karl's Career
24:34 The Disconnection Hypothesis in Schizophrenia
29:53 The Evolution of Brain Imaging
36:17 The Importance of Brain Imaging Software
39:07 Statistical Parametric Mapping Explained
41:27 Functional Segregation and Integration
42:36 Dynamic Causal Modeling and Connectivity
43:00 Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM)
44:18 The Paradigm Shift in Cognitive Neuroscience
49:43 The Free Energy Principle and Active Inference
50:34 Unconscious Inference and Bayesian Belief
58:53 Thermostats vs. Human Cognition
01:06:44 Affordances and the Free Energy Principle
01:20:02 Scale Invariance and the Free Energy Principle
01:22:23 Entropy and Energy in Thermodynamics
01:23:39 Understanding Sensory Entropy
01:25:47 Maximizing Variational Entropy
01:29:25 Fractals and Multiscale Patterns
01:35:02 Hierarchies in the Brain
01:46:40 Generative Models and Perspective
01:52:46 Social Neuroscience and Group Dynamics
01:57:40 The Importance of Listening and Empathy
02:00:46 Reflections and New Year Resolutions

History of the Future
Karl Friston Google Scholar
Active Inference Institute

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