Johannes A. Niederhauser

We live today under the spell of cybernetics. If we are to be masters of our machines, we must first understand the meaning of mechanics, cybernetics, and the philosophy of computers. ‘Spiritual Cybernetics’ is, I propose, the spiritual animation of computers and information systems, in which the ‘spirit’ of computers is the free ‘steering’ of human and more-than-human users, and such use is free insofar as it knows how to use its tools for its own ends. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit halkyon.substack.com

The digital revolution is undoubtedly the most disruptive technological shift in the history of mankind. The internet, combined with advances in computational powers, has also profoundly affected and altered human behaviour. This difference is what makes the disruptive nature of digital particularly interesting to study. It is precisely because the penetration of digital technologies runs so deep into our daily lives, and because its ability to manipulate, control and distort is so complete, that the digital revolution now calls for a creative theological and philosophical responses. We live today under the spell of cybernetics. If we are to be masters of our machines, we must first understand the meaning of mechanics, cybernetics, and the philosophy of computers. ‘Spiritual Cybernetics’ is, I propose, the spiritual animation of computers and information systems, in which the ‘spirit’ of computers is the free ‘steering’ of human and more-than-human users, and such use is free insofar as it knows how to use its tools for its own ends.If you’d like to learn more about Ryan’s course, you can do so here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit halkyon.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit halkyon.substack.comIn this final episode I conclude my reading and commentary of Emerson’s essay “History.”“A man is a bundle of relations, a knot of roots, whose flower and fruitage is the world.” - Emerson

Prof. John Vervaeke joins Johannes Niederhauser to introduce his new course “Beyond Nihilism.”John has developed the course exclusively for Halkyon Academy, which Johannes founded in 2020. Enrolment for John’s course is now open. You can learn more about Halkyon here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit halkyon.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit halkyon.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit halkyon.substack.comChris and Johannes discuss Tolstoy’s seminal but little known essay “What is Art?”

Josh Hochschild and Johannes discuss their ideas around the medieval guild of scholars as a model for today's university. Johannes is the founder of the Halkyon Guild (founded in 2020) which offers philosophy courses and a wider community of learners. You can learn about Halkyon here. You can find our online courses on teachable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit halkyon.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit halkyon.substack.comImage: Guido Reni “Aurora”, in public domain. Source: Wiki Commons

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit halkyon.substack.comSeth and Johannes discuss §36 on curiosity in Martin Heidegger's Being and Time

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit halkyon.substack.comI’m reading from Emerson’s essay “History,” in which the English word history is cast into its nativity and the true scope of its significance shines forth. I’m drinking a Woodford Reserve Kentucky Whiskey.