John Vervaeke: Meaning Crisis, Atheism, Religion & the Search for Wisdom | Lex Fridman Podcast #317

John Vervaeke is a psychologist and cognitive scientist at University of Toronto. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:

EPISODE LINKS:
Books mentioned:

PODCAST INFO:

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:10 - Meaning
21:24 - Consciousness
30:24 - Relevance realization
41:47 - Wisdom
49:01 - Truth
53:46 - Reality
1:06:06 - Meaning crisis
1:29:35 - Religion
1:37:25 - Nontheism
1:52:34 - Distributed cognition
2:10:45 - Flow
2:30:42 - Psychedelics
2:39:10 - Marxism and Nazism
2:51:15 - Evil
2:55:27 - Powerful ideas
3:02:17 - Advice for young people

SOCIAL:

[lexfridman]

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast.
0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions:
1:10 - Meaning
21:24 - Consciousness
30:24 - Relevance realization
41:47 - Wisdom
49:01 - Truth
53:46 - Reality
1:06:06 - Meaning crisis
1:29:35 - Religion
1:37:25 - Nontheism
1:52:34 - Distributed cognition
2:10:45 - Flow
2:30:42 - Psychedelics
2:39:10 - Marxism and Nazism
2:51:15 - Evil
2:55:27 - Powerful ideas
3:02:17 - Advice for young people

[agapologia]

This is by far the least expected and most pleasantly surprising guest I've seen you have a discussion with. JV is fantastic.

[SeekersofUnity]

Thank you for having on one of the kindest philosophers alive today.

[xvwbtog]

There are 3 things that completely changed my life-quantum physics, LSD and John Vervaeke. John is the reason I decided to become a professor-his ability to hold space for his students while breaking down complex concepts into manageable building blocks is unparalleled. He is the epitome of what it means to be a teacher. This is such a treat, thank you Lex and Thank You Dr Vervaeke.

[chrisw]

John is so articulate its insane. He speaks how I would write after hours of editing and organising ideas.

[aimhigh]

Vervaeke is one of the great minds of our age. He sees beyond what many would consider as the boundaries of our perception. He understands, in the deepest sense.

[armir_ko]

I started watching "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" well over a year ago. I'm currently on episode 45 and hope to finish it by the end of the month. I hope this interview will lead more people to check out John's lectures.

[MXF]

I searched Vervaeke after watching this and found an interview with Jordan Peterson. IMO, Lex Friedman is a much better interviewer than Jordan. He can't stop interrupting. Keep up the great work, Dr. Friedman!

[Alexander_Isen]

As someone who listens to hour long podcasts about religion, mysticism etc. like crack... this is one of the most beautiful and profound conversations I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Thank you, Fridman

[Khendriix]

John Vervaeke is truly one of the most underrated intellectual figures in culture today. I was honored to speak with John on my podcast last week, and there's no doubt in my mind that he will go down as one of the greatest minds in Western civilization.

[adamkester]

John’s work is life changing. His passion for the meaning crisis has impacted my own life and those around me. And it all started with a video and book about zombies. Thank you, JV. It’s been beautiful to share in your journey.

[InterfaceGuhy]

Lex has been asking folks for years, "What is the meaning of all this?"
Finally, he asks it to someone (early in the episode) who is extremely qualified to answer it.

Welcome to the Vervaeke train, friends.
I got on via Lex -> Joscha Bach -> CurtJ -> JV

[MXF]

I'm watching and/or listening to this for the 3rd time. This is one of your most phenomenal interviews.

[wellingtonbosharpe]

After 3 years of following his work closely, it’s slightly surreal seeing JV breaking through to the mainstream. Delighted to see lots of people here in the comments who love and have profoundly benefited from his work too.

[ronansmith]

Absolutely fantastic. More power to
John, John Pageau, Paul VanderKlay and JBP! The intellectual light web. Trademark pending. :)

[flyingeyefpv]

Lex, this is one of your best interviews yet. As I listen to each new episode I hear a culmination of ideas that you (and I along with you) are exploring. Thank you so much, my podcaster friend, for bringing these discussions into my life and letting me engage in the ‘trialogue’ as Audience! Warmest regards from Maine.

[dawnmuir]

Wonderful to see JV receiving the attention he deserves on wider platforms! Love your questions, Lex, deep and thoughtful, and also personal enough to get to know JV's thought better in context of his own life and profound beliefs. One of the rare cases of a philosopher being pushed to put not only his ideas but the practical implications of them in his own life on the line. Love it! ❤

[CipherOne]

John Vervaeke's Awakening from the Meaning Crisis finally allowed me to overcome remnants of the religious programming from my youth. Thank you, John, and thank you Lex, for giving his message access to your platform.

[bradbear]

I found John’s Awakening From The Meaning Crisis series just as I needed it. It opened my eyes to new ways at seeing the world. This man and his circle is my new favourite corner of the internet.

[spacewalkx]

One of the best guests on the show so far. He brings enlightenment rationality to the bullshit romanticism that many bend over backwards to try to attribute to reality.