One hundred years ago (in 1921), Dominican preacher and philosopher Antonin-Gilbert Sertillanges wrote a book that is still read today. Its title, The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods, reveals its focus on practical guidance to anyone wishing to pursue the intellectual vocation. Here is a short passage from the book: "One is not dazzled, … Continue reading Sertillanges on Intellectual Life
Spreading the Word: A Buddhist And A Neuroscientist In Dialogue
What would a conversation between a Buddhist monk and a neuroscientist look like? And what would they agree and disagree on? In the following conversation, Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk trained as a molecular biologist, and Wolf Singer, a distinguished neuroscientist, offer their perspectives on the unconscious and the role of meditation in resolving conflicts … Continue reading Spreading the Word: A Buddhist And A Neuroscientist In Dialogue
Spreading the Word: Our Access To Reality
One of the oldest debates in the history of human quest for knowledge is whether we can access the objective reality at all. Some think there is no objective reality at all and that "it's all in our minds", others think there is nothing else besides it and that our knowledge directly represents that reality. … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Our Access To Reality
Don’t Discard Your Ideas
One of the practical things I have learned during my philosophy studies is that it is wise not to judge your ideas immediately when they come to you. There is a real risk of creating a habit of suppressing your creative thought. Our minds are adaptive and learn to respond to the environment. So, if … Continue reading Don’t Discard Your Ideas
Spreading the Word: ‘No-mind’ Idea
In one week I will resume my studies and one of the courses I am very much looking forward to is philosophy of mind. In this light, it was a timely and pleasant surprise when I came across the following article recently published on Aeon: "The mind does not exist". A controversial and provocative title, … Continue reading Spreading the Word: ‘No-mind’ Idea
Do Not Think About The Polar Bear
When Leo Tolstoy was a mischievous young boy, there was one time after another mischief that his "grandfather told him to stand in the corner until he could stop thinking of 'the white elephant'... He tried very hard... The harder he tried to eliminate the thought and the more he desired to be free of … Continue reading Do Not Think About The Polar Bear
Thoughts on Ian McCrorie’s Book “A Lifetime Doing Nothing”
This short book by the Canadian author Ian McCrorie is a collection of personal stories, stories of others, and insights gained from experience, all of which centres around one skill - doing nothing. If that sounds like no skill at all, keep on reading. Doing nothing, understood in the way McCrorie explains it, might be … Continue reading Thoughts on Ian McCrorie’s Book “A Lifetime Doing Nothing”
Spreading the Word: Why Human Affairs Are Unpredictable
This Friday I share with you an audio recording of a lecture on the unpredictability inherent to human affairs. This lecture was given in the 70s by philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre. It is a 1 hour audio and will require focused attention, but it is well worth it. MacIntyre talks in a clear manner and throws … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Why Human Affairs Are Unpredictable
Spreading the Word: Creativity and Uncertainty
This Friday I share with you a short video on the relationship between creativity and uncertainty, and what neuroscience has to say about it. A lot of interesting and illuminating insights offered in a clear language by a neuroscientist Beau Lotto. What can feel more uncertain than the state of not knowing? And yet, "Creativity … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Creativity and Uncertainty
Spreading the Word: Mind-Body Unity
This Friday I share with you a short video on the mind-body unity. It is a hugely important and vastly underestimated truth about us, humans - we are not simply minds in machines, our bodies are not just tools attached to the brain, we are, each of us, a complex unity of a constant mind-body … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Mind-Body Unity
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