Evan Thompson is a philosopher and author, specializing in the integration of cognitive science, philosophy of mind, and Asian philosophical traditions. Based at the University of British Columbia, his work, including his recent book 'The Blind Spot', examines the intersections of consciousness, experience, and reality through a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach.

Can cognitive science, philosophy, and mysticism hold the keys to resolving our modern meaning crisis?

Join John Vervaeke and Evan Thompson in a captivating exploration of how these disciplines converge to address this pressing issue. The conversation showcases Thompson's interdisciplinary approach, drawing from his work on 'The Blind Spot' and his extensive background in Asian philosophy and phenomenology. Gain fresh perspectives on the essence of lived experience, the power of relevance realization, and the nature of reality as the discussion unfolds. Prepare for an intellectual journey that promises to deepen our understanding of truth, goodness, and beauty and bridge the gaps between diverse intellectual traditions.


Support John's groundbreaking work and gain exclusive access to live Q&A sessions, early video releases, and more by joining our Patreon community!   / johnvervaeke  

Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking insights of Evan Thompson's thoughtprovoking book, "The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience.” https://www.amazon.com/BlindSpotSci...

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“"The blind spot is the inability to see, or to recognize, or to acknowledge that lived experience is the source of science. And so if you undercut the source of science by occluding lived experience, you're actually damaging science." Evan Thompson [00:19:34]

"The process of formalization of translating things into a formal system is always an illdefined problem that requires relevance realization." John Vervaeke [00:30:52]


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00:00 Introduction to Evan Thompson and 'The Blind Spot'
01:05 Evan Thompson's Background and Philosophical Journey
02:10 Diving Into 'The Blind Spot': A Book on the Meaning Crisis
09:30 Exploring Core Ideas and Arguments of 'The Blind Spot'
18:15 Addressing the Meaning Crisis: Science, Experience, and Reality
18:55 Navigating Between Science Triumphalism and Denial
21:30 The Role of Experience in Understanding Reality
31:25 Challenging the Bifurcation of Nature and the 'View from Nowhere'
38:45 Sacredness, Reality, and the Meaning Crisis
40:30 Exploring the Sacred Beyond Science
41:55 Exploring the Depths of the Sacred and Ultimate Concern: Secular vs. Transcendental Perspectives
47:45 The Axial Revolution and Its Impact on Modern Consciousness
56:45 Challenges and Opportunities in Bridging Science and Mysticism
59:54 Philosophical Reflections on Truth, Beauty, and the Good
01:11:10 Concluding Thoughts and Future Dialogues

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Join the Vervaeke Foundation in our mission to advance the scientifically rigorous pursuit of wisdom and make a meaningful impact in the world. https://vervaekefoundation.org/

Discover practices that deepen your virtues and help you connect more deeply with reality and relationships by joining Awaken to Meaning today. https://awakentomeaning.com/

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Idea, Authors, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience book coauthored by Evan Thompson, Adam Frank, and Marcelo Gleiser
Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy book by Evan Thompson
Why I Am Not a Buddhist book by Evan Thompson
Contact with Reality book by Esther Lightcap Meek
The Nothingness Beyond God book by Robert Edgar Carter
Maurice MerleauPonty
Edmund Husserl
Martin Heidegger
William James
Galileo Galilei
Nishida Kitaro
Alfred North Whitehead
Nancy Cartwright
René Descartes
Robert Kreese
Paul Tillich
Michael Polanyi
Michael Schellenberger
Susan Wolf
Ursula Goodenough
Immanuel Kant
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Follow John Vervaeke:
https://johnvervaeke.com/
  / vervaeke_john  
   / @johnvervaeke  
  / johnvervaeke  


Follow Evan Thompson:
https://evanthompson.me/
  / evantthompson  
  / evan.timothy.thompson  

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Thank you for watching!