This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

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E462 John Vervaeke

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Sep 12, 2023

Guest

John Vervaeke

John Vervaeke, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto, dives deep into the quest for meaning in our increasingly disconnected world. He discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the importance of authentic connection. Exploring Stoic wisdom, Vervaeke reflects on navigating personal growth and community. He also examines modern challenges posed by quick gratification, such as pornography, and considers how historical perspectives on mortality shape our current values. This thought-provoking conversation encourages listeners to embrace introspection and philosophical inquiry.

03:33:51

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INSIGHT

Stoicism on Meaning

Stoics advocate for focusing on what we can control: our inner lives and virtuous actions (vertical).
They advise finding joy in depth of experience, not external pursuits (horizontal), to be ready to die.

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ADVICE

Cultivating Meaning

To cultivate meaning, focus on view (framing), care (perspective-taking), and action (connection).
Practice dialogical, imaginal, mindfulness, and embodiment exercises ("DIME") individually and collectively.

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ADVICE

The Power of Imagination

Use imagination not just for picturing, but for inhabiting perspectives and augmenting awareness.
Engage in serious play and rituals that challenge you physically and mentally, like parkour or Tai Chi.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Joy of Learning and Teaching

02:11 • 2min

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Navigating the Meaning Crisis

03:43 • 19min

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Exploring the Dimensions of Meaning in Life

22:33 • 3min

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Navigating the Meaning Crisis

25:43 • 21min

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Exploring Mental Health Support and Exciting Promotions

46:42 • 3min

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Exploring Meaning, Mortality, and Modern Existence

49:59 • 4min

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Philosophical Reflections on Home and Mortality

54:26 • 5min

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Navigating Connection and Personal Growth

59:49 • 24min

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Cultivating Connection: Practices for Growth

01:23:55 • 28min

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Navigating the Light of Love and Commitment

01:52:15 • 18min

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The Impact of Pornography on Human Connections

02:09:51 • 8min

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The Consequences of Collapse: Vlogging, Civilization, and New Beginnings

02:17:41 • 2min

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Navigating Complexities: The Power of Collective Intelligence

02:20:00 • 8min

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Navigating Disorientation in America and Beyond

02:27:52 • 19min

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Exploring New Frontiers: Space, Sexuality, and Humanity

02:46:23 • 9min

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The Decline of Trust in Media and Rise of New Beliefs

02:55:52 • 3min

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Cultural Diversity and Societal Integration

02:58:33 • 23min

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Envisioning a Sustainable Future: Small Communities in a Technological Civilization

03:21:31 • 2min

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Literature and Learning: Reflections on Thought and Growth

03:23:57 • 8min

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The Last of the Wine is a historical novel by Mary Renault, published in 1956. It follows the life of Alexias, a young Athenian, as he navigates love, friendship, and the tumultuous political landscape of ancient Athens during the Peloponnesian War. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of excellence, providing a rich portrayal of life in ancient Greece.

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The Courage to Be

Paul Tillich

This book, based on Tillich's Terry Foundation lectures at Yale University, discusses the concept of courage in various philosophical and theological contexts. It presents courage as the strength to affirm one's own life in spite of its inevitable end and the lack of purpose. Tillich analyzes courage in relation to fortitude, wisdom, self-affirmation, and existence itself, drawing on thinkers such as Plato, Aquinas, the Stoics, Spinoza, and Nietzsche. The book is a sophisticated discussion of human ontology, anthropology, and theology, introducing these concepts to a lay readership.

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A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters is a grandly ambitious and inventive work of fiction by Julian Barnes. The book consists of 13 short stories that span across various periods of human history, from the voyage of Noah's Ark to a sneak preview of heaven. It includes tales of a cruise ship hijacked by terrorists, woodworms tried for blasphemy in medieval France, and an astronaut searching for the remains of Noah's Ark. The stories explore the relationship between fact and fabulation, history and love, and are linked by recurring themes and characters, such as the woodworms who serve as a metaphor for decay and the erosion of historical understanding.

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Meditations

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Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

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Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Published in 1949, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' is a cautionary tale set in a future where the world is divided into three totalitarian super-states: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel follows Winston Smith, a minor functionary in the Ministry of Truth in Oceania, who begins to question the all-pervasive authority of the Party and its leader, Big Brother. Winston's rebellion, fueled by his forbidden love affair with Julia and his interest in the mysterious Brotherhood, ultimately leads to his capture and brutal reeducation by the Thought Police. The novel explores themes of mass surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, serving as a powerful warning about the dangers of unaccountable governments and the erosion of individual freedom and dignity.

John Vervaeke is a philosopher and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. He currently teaches courses on thinking and reasoning with an emphasis on cognitive development, intelligence, rationality, mindfulness, and the psychology of wisdom. He is known for his 50-part YouTube lecture series, “Awakening From The Meaning Crisis”

John Vervaeke joins This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von to talk about why so many people are struggling to find meaning in today’s world. They also talk about ways to find wisdom in life, what we can learn from the Stoics, whether we’re living or just impersonating, his relationship with colleague Jordan Peterson, and much more.

John Vervaeke: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke

https://johnvervaeke.com/

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