John Vervaeke engages in a profound discussion with James Filler, author of 'Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being'. They examine the core arguments of Jame's book, which emphasizes relationality as more fundamental than individual existence in understanding reality. The conversation explores Neoplatonism, Heidegger's philosophy, and the convergence of these ideas with contemporary physics and biology. James recounts his journey in developing his dissertation into a pivotal work aimed at reorienting ontological perspectives. John and James also discuss the trajectory of Western and Eastern Christian thought, touching upon relational ontology's scientific and ethical ramifications.

James Filler is the author of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being, a groundbreaking work exploring the philosophical underpinnings of relational ontology. His forthcoming book, Substance Ontology and the Crisis of Reason deepens the critique of substance thinking in Western philosophy.

Notes:

(0:00) Welcome to the Lectern
(1:00) Core themes of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being
(3:00) Background of James Filler
(5:30) Core argument of the book
(10:00) The philosophical debate between Parmenides and Heraclitus
(15:00) Ontological relationality and its philosophical implications
(25:00) Heidegger's dialogue with Asian philosophy and the Christian trinity
(34:00) Western vs. Eastern Christianity - diverging paths
(40:00) A critique of Process Philosophy
(48:30) The conceptual and ethical implications of historical Christian interpretations
(51:30) Distinction between discursive and non-discursive reasoning
(58:30) Substance ontology and the crisis of reason
(1:03:00) Addressing the crisis of rationality in modernity
(1:11:00) Final reflections on relationality and its broader impacts

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Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

Martin Heidegger

Plotinus

Aristotle

St. Gregory

Heraclitus

Parmenides

Plato

Jordan Hall

Evan Thompson

Relationality

Neoplatonism

Substance Ontology

Trinity

Process Philosophy

Virtue Epistemology

Humility

Dialogical Rationality

"Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being" by James Filler

"Substance Ontology and the Crisis of Reason" by James Filler (upcoming book)

"Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" by John

"Recovering Plato: A Platonic Virtue Epistemology" by James Filler (published in Episteme)

"The Divine Matrix" by David Ray Griffin

"The One" by Paas

"Being and Time" by Martin Heidegger

"The Republic" by Plato

"The Enneads" by Plotinus

"Metaphysics" by Aristotle

Quotes:

"Relationality is itself more primordial, more fundamental to understanding the nature of reality."

"To be independent in the first place required a relation—because to be independent means there's something you're independent from."

"Our rationality operates best dialogically, not nomologically, which aligns deeply with relational ontology."

Ministry BEHIND BARS | Guests: Jeremy & Eve Coe | 3/2/26

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