Metamodern Meaning
Metamodern Meaning is a podcast hosted by Brendan Graham Dempsey, who interviews leading thinkers from the metamodernism, integral, syntheist, GameB and related communities. Conversations center on meaning-making, spirituality and culture in the contemporary world. Episodes explore how these emerging philosophical and social movements understand the present moment and imagine what comes next. The show is published through Dempsey's Substack.
Episodes
Well-Being and Flourishing in Metamodernity w/ Mark Fabian
Dr. Mark Fabian discusses his explorations into ethics, meaning, and value beyond postmodern nihilism and his new book Beyond Happy. If values aren't to be rooted in metaphysics or reason, then where? What role does evolution play in all of this? What specific, concrete policies and actions might we see enacted to create a flourishing metamodern world?0:00 Introduction1:12 Ethics and Well-Being in
STAGES vs. Hierarchical Complexity w/ Alexander Love
Alexander Love offers a developmental tour through his version of the STAGES model, from Concrete to Subtle to Metaware tiers. Along the way, I make comparisons/contrasts to the developmental models based on hierarchical complexity. We discuss the content/structure distinction, the idea of a "center of gravity," as well as the unique contributions Alexander has made to the STAGES presentation. 0:0
The Ethos of Metamodern Spirituality
What if “The Absolute” is always relative? What if “The Universal” is always contingent? What if our apprehensions of the Ultimate are best expressed as partial apprehensions with their own limits? What if we take “doubt” as an essential component to the fabric of reality itself? Would this be a more properly “nondual” approach to spiritual intuitions? Here I try to articulate my thoughts on a “po
Nietzsche, All Too Nietzsche by Layman Pascal
In this book launch deep-dive, Layman Pascal talks about "Nietzsche, All Too Nietzsche" -- the second volume of his Moustache Trilogy -- unpacking what and why the book is. We explore Nietzsche's worldview, its evolutionary developmental essence, and how his thought can be read as proto-metamodern (as well as modern and postmodern!). Who was the Alpine Sage? Madman or mystic -- or both/and? What d
![Xenotheology & Personal Myth w/ [M] Dudeck and Javi Acevedo](https://substackcdn.com/feed/podcast/1073705/post/209548398/7a38e33ce81d21e0f319cb57dba4b9d0.jpg)
Xenotheology & Personal Myth w/ [M] Dudeck and Javi Acevedo
Artists [M] Dudeck and Javi Acevedo share their work on creatively constructing a metamodern art religion. They walk us through a holy book of personal myth---Xenotheology: The Transmedial Scriptures---discussing the process as part of the broader performance of mythopoetic meaning-making. Filmed during the metamodern spirituality lab exploring "sacred art," we talk about the genesis of the projec
The Physics of Meaning w/ Artemy Kolchinsky
Can we account for meaning and value in terms of thermodynamics and information theory? Complex systems thinker Artemy Kolchinsky thinks so. He joins me to explain how we can make the idea of “meaning” tractable in rigorous formal terms by filling in what’s been missing from classic information theory about what information is intrinsically meaningful for an entity. We discuss his seminal co-autho
91. Evolving Evolutionary Spirituality w/ Steve McIntosh
Post-postmodern spiritual writer Steve McIntosh discusses his journey from the progressive spirituality scene of the 70s into the Spiral Dynamics and Integral scenes of the 90s and early 2000s, then his own philosophical development from there into the emerging forms that evolutionary spirituality is taking today. In the middle of all that, we go deep into the different approaches the current scen
90. Modern vs. Postmodern (vs. Metamodern) Philosophy w/ Stephen Hicks
90. Modern vs. Postmodern (vs. Metamodern) Philosophy w/ Stephen HicksPhilosopher and professor Dr. Stephen Hicks returns for a discussion about integrating critiques of the modern project and the Enlightenment ideals on which it is based. Are postmodern challenges already contained within modern philosophy or do they represent a dialectical shift beyond it in some meaningful way? Is postmodernism
Metamodern Mission (w/ Rufus Pollock)
Rufus Pollock of Life Itself explains what Life Itself is about before we dive into a deep and rich conversation about the heart of this new movement we're a part of that's dedicated to a different orientation to value and meaning. What is distinctly core and emergent about this new approach and way of seeing the world? Rufus speaks eloquently about this, articulating the spirit of a Second Renais
89. Complexifying Identity w/ God'swill Osa
God'swill Osa joins me to talk about his doctoral work exploring identity-formation and group consciousness, specifically in the American political context. We discuss the idea of political group consciousness and the significance of individuation and self-awareness for moving beyond the simplistic binaries of culture war acrimony. How does the current system hijack identity concerns for political
88. Spiritual Naturalist Society (w/ Daniel Strain and Alexander Cheruk)
The Spiritual Naturalist Society is for folks exploring spirituality beyond supernaturalism. Here I'm joined by Daniel Strain and Alex Cheruk to discuss the origins and goals of this awesome organization.0:00 Introduction1:35 What is Spiritual Naturalism?17:22 The Role of Community22:29 Daniel and Alex's Stories44:09 What is the Spiritual Naturalist Society?53:15 Can Christianity Naturalize?59:15
87. Development & Philosophies of the Good (w/ Cheryl Armon)
Developmental researcher Dr. Cheryl Armon discusses her work on the way different philosophical conceptions of the good life relate to psychological development.0:00 Introduction1:38 The Complexification of Value8:03 The 5 Philosophical Orientations:13:07 Hedonism: Classical22:24 Hedonism: Social29:54 Perfectionism: Functionalist41:22 Perfectionism: Unitarianist52:35 Perfectionism: Progressivist1:
86. A Brief History of God (w/ Nish Dubashia)
Nish Dubashia walks through his new book, A Brief History of God: From Nature Spirits to Cosmic Consciousness, the newest offering from Sky Meadow Press. After laying out his framework for religion as a story of the self's aspiration to reunite with Spirit, Nish goes through the major stages of religion's evolution, from humanity's tribal origins to the rise of polytheism in early agricultural civ
85. MindLog: A Revolution in Tracking Development (w/ Theo Dawson)
Dr. Theo Linda Dawson, founder of Lectica, Inc., discusses the launch of MindLog, an unprecedented developmental tracking tool that charts the hierarchical complexification of skill capacities using high-precision Lectical scoring. She explains what it does and how it works before we dive into its two major applications for educators and for adult learners. 0:00 Introduction1:05 What is MindLog?5:
84. Returning Value to Education & Culture (w/ Brad Kershner)
Educator and philosopher Brad Kershner joins me to discuss the crisis facing our civilizational frameworks and educational institutions, with considerations of what the path out of this cul-de-sac looks like and how we get there.0:00 Introduction3:54 Designing a World for Value13:58 A Trans-Partisan Issue20:03 The Modern Breakdown of Value32:19 The Failure of the Postmodern Response38:38 Metamoder
83. The Ethics of Self-Organization (w/ Anna Riedl)
How do we do the most good? Answers popular in the Rationality and effective altruism spaces can be helpful in some ways, but could also be radically misframing the issue in others. Here Anna Riedl joins me to discuss more of what she means by an "autopoiethics" approach to the topic, which takes seriously the implications of complex systems science for understanding "doing the right thing" in con
82. Human Transformation in a Time of Metacrisis (w/ Boaz Feldman)
Boaz Feldman joins me to talk about an important conference he's helped to organize at Harvard. The Education for Flourishing Conference, AKA Human Transformation in a Time of Metacrisis, is happening at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on Friday, May 2nd, followed the next day by the Unconference featuring workshops, panels, and opportunities for further connection. 0:00 Introduction1:21
81. Universal Selection Theory (w/ Gary Cziko)
I'm joined by professor Gary Cziko, author of Without Miracles: Universal Selection Theory and the Second Darwinian Revolution, to discuss the universal learning process driving adaptive complexification across cosmic scales. We get into the issue of "puzzles of fit" and how they've tended to be accounted for, the scope and power of selectionist theories for understanding evolution and knowledge g
80. Both One and Many (w/ Oliver Griebel)
Oliver Griebel joins me to discuss the topic of the anthology he edited on the metaphysical relationship between the one and the many. Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com/subscribe
79. Perspectives on Evolutionary Spirituality (w/ Tim Freke)
Evolutionary spirituality writer Tim Freke joins me for a live Limicon event to discuss his take on the new form of spirituality emerging in metamodern culture. We explore a few topics together, then open the conversation up for Q&A from the rest of the attendees. Evolution, consciousness, death, mysticism--it's a good ride! Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substac
78. Metamodernism and Poetic Faiths (w/ Tony Wolf)
Tony Wolf joins me to discuss his new book out from Sky Meadow Press: 'Poetic Faiths: New Religions and Rituals as Works of Living Art, Vol I.' First we tackle the idea of "Poetic Faiths" and what they are before going over what's in this new anthology of interviews with creators of such Poetic Faiths. Tony shares part of his story that led him to this work as well as some of the specifics of his
77. Complexifying Notions of the Good (w/ Cheryl Armon)
Cheryl Armon joins me to talk about her work in the field of developmental psychology. After discussing how she developed a passion for moral philosophy, entered the field, and met Lawrence Kohlberg, as well as the important theoretical distinctions between "hard" stages and "soft" stage models which they published about, we dive into the data Armon has amassed over her career on how people's conc
76. Challenging Scientistism in Naturalistic Metanarrative (w/ Zak Stein)
Zak Stein joins me in a constructive discussion about our respective projects to reconstruct value after postmodernism. Having talked to Zak about his work with David J Temple, this time he responds to my work in the first volume of the Evolution of Meaning Series. Here we explore in greater detail his concerns about projects that would situate human cultural evolution within the broader cosmic ev
75. Realizing the Biosphere | 4. Natural Drives, Directions, and Perspectives (w/ Layman Pascal)
Layman joins me for further jamming on the human/biosphere relationship. We explore the idea of entropy reduction (negentropy) as a natural trajectory and its relationship to the evolution of consciousness. Folding in Nietzsche, we consider the "will to power" in terms of a natural drive related to such processes before turning to the "mereological question": Is humanity (the noosphere) part of th
74. The Meaning Paradigm, and "Autopoiethics" (w/ Anna Riedl)
Cognitive scientist Anna Riedl helps me get a sense of the emerging paradigm in cogsci and beyond dedicated to understanding how we make meaning in an uncertain and entropic world. After that, we tackle ideas Anna is working on informed by her experience with and critique of effective altruism: a framework she provisionally calls "autopoiethics," which relates to the normative decision-making proc
73. Polymodern Economics: Lene Rachel Andersen
Here, Lene Rachel Andersen joins us to talk about her piece Polymodern Economics. Following the publication of the first issue of Metamodern Theory & Praxis, a new, anti-disciplinary journal dedicated to movements in metamodern thought, we will be inviting the various contributors for some discussion about their work.You can read this and the other works in issue 1 here: https://sts.williams.edu/m
72. Live with Tim Freke
On Saturday, January 18, Sky Meadow Institute hosted a virtual meet-up and open Q&A with Tim Freke, author of Soul Story and a leading thinker in the emergent spirituality space. For more upcoming events, check out skymeadowinstitute.org Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com/subscribe
71. Realizing the Biosphere | 3. Thinking 'Nature' (w/ Layman Pascal)
Layman and I dig into the distinctions between similar terms like "nature," "natural," "naturalization," and "natural order" in an effort to better realize the relevant shades of the biosphere.0:00 Introduction2:56 'Nature' vs.19:36 'Natural' vs. 40:41 'Naturalization' vs.1:08:39 'Natural Order' vs...1:25:03 Conclusion Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com/
70. Realizing the Biosphere | 2. Collective Earth: Towards a Gaian Sociology (w/ Layman Pascal)
I continue my discussion with Layman Pascal about the role of the human in/as/and for the biosphere. After an elegant summary and recap of the topic so far, Layman offers thoughts on specific roles and projects that might be undetaken through collective action to traverse along the negentropic course of the "ecodrome." We chat economics, ideology, ethics, and religion, and also tackle the question
69. Realizing the Biosphere | 1. Spirituality for the Anthropocene (w/ Layman Pascal)
In the first of a series of discussions, Layman Pascal offers his thoughts on the role of humanity in the biosphere. What new ways are there for appreciating our place on/as the planet and in/as the cosmos? Here we focus primarily on the role of the individual in biospheric processes. How do religion-like activities and sensibilities serve ecological viability and flourishing? How can this vision
68. A Metamodern Paradigm for Islamic Studies Scholarship: Jared Morningstar
Following the publication of the first issue of Metamodern Theory & Praxis, a new, anti-disciplinary journal dedicated to movements in metamodern thought, we will be inviting the various contributors for some discussion about their work.Here, Jared Morningstar joins us to talk about his piece A Metamodern Paradigm for Islamic Studies Scholarship: Evaluating and Extending Shahab Ahmed's Theorizatio
67. Critiquing Metamodernism (w/ James Cussen)
James Cussen of @TheLivingPhilosophy joins me to discuss his probing 6-part critique of what "metamodernism" really is. We go deep into the strands of metamodern theory and discourse to debate the relative merits and demerits of various approaches to the topic. Along the way, we both explore various ways to clarify and nuance topics and ideas core to various metamodern projects.0:00 Introduction (
66. Deconstruction/Reconstruction Theology (w/ Jim Palmer)
Jim Palmer joins me to talk about his work in "deconstructionology." After sharing a bit of his story, which includes movement from mega-church pastor to questioning Christian seeker to deconstructioning writer, Jim talks to me a bit about his ideas of engaging religion generally and Christianity specifically beyond superficial either/or thinking.How do we move past simple binaries of theism/athei
65. Metamodern Theory & Praxis Just Launched!
Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm and I announce the launch of the new academic journal for metamodern studies: Metamodern Theory & Praxis. The journal is open access and free to read online here: https://sts.williams.edu/metamodern/v1i1/ Print versions are also available for purchase. Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com/subscribe
64. Processing the 2024 Election (w/ Layman Pascal)
After the re-election of Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States last night, I check in with Layman Pascal to get his take on the political landscape. What can we learn from what's going on? How can we be more open across differences instead of closed and blaming? In fact, how much internal energy should we expend on such matters at all? And what should we expect about the future of th
63. A Praxis for Development in Metamodern Christianity (w/ Doug Scott)
I'm joined by Doug Scott, LCSW, to discuss his SH!PS approach to interpersonal transformation and development. Doug is a clinical social worker with a background in ministry and has worked as a mental health counselor since 2001. Here we discuss the common pattern Doug has abstracted from his counseling and pastoral experience for achieving growth and connection, uniting spiritual and mental healt
62. UTOK and Metamodern Alchemy (w/ Gregg Henriques)
Gregg Henriques and I talk about the release of his new book UTOK: The Unified Theory of Knowledge through Sky Meadow Press. We discuss how this book is different from other works Gregg has written, its aesthetic nod to the classic alchemical tradition, and the arc of his journey from hard-nosed materialism to metamodern metatheoretical mythopoeia. We talk about UTOK through the lens of personal m
61. Reality, Abstraction, Mysticism (w/ Matt Segall)
Process thinker Matt Segall joins me again to continue our ongoing metaphysical exploration of a panmatheistic universe coming to self-knowledge. Here we discuss modern science's "blind spot" with regard to direct experience vs. scientific abstraction and the problem of "misplaced concreteness" before considering the proper understanding of the role of the human in the cosmos. 0:00 Introduction2:0
60. Experience, Science, Christianity (w/ Rafe Kelley)
Rafe Kelley and I discuss his recent transformational experiences with Christianity, then consider the best sense-making frames for such life-altering religious experiences. What are the role of Christianity's traditional propositional claims relative to direct experiential encounters with the Christ archetype? Can the activation of transformational memetic archetypes actually require acting &
59. Complexity and Identity (w/ Neil Theise)
Neil Theise joins me to talk about his book Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being. As a liver pathologist gazing daily through his microscope, Neil lives in an ongoing liminal state between scales: the micro cellular and the macro organismic. How is it, he asks, that any given "thing" seems to disappear when you zoom in or out? Neil brings a com
58. Emergent Spirituality (w/ Tim Freke)
Philosopher and author Tim Freke joins me to talk about his conceptions of an "emergent spirituality." We discuss his 2017 book Soul Story, in which he lays out a vision for a developing cosmos leading to deeper self-realization. From there we discuss his thinking about the continuation of imaginal phenomena after the biological death of the individual. 0:00 Introduction1:22 Soul Story a
57. Metamodern Gurdjieff (w/ Layman Pascal)
Layman Pascal joins me to discuss his new book, Gurdjieff for a Time Between Worlds. Who was G. I. Gurdjieff and why is he keenly relevant to our present metamodern moment? In what ways can we see in his work anticipations of contemporary spiritual modalities, such as sincere irony, integration of pluralities, immanent transcendence, and the mythopoeic construction of new imaginal narratives gestu
Metamodern Christianity | 5. Catechism for a Metamodern Christian
Catechism has meant "religious education," especially as a coming-of-age initiation into the fullness of spiritual community and engagement with its mysteries. It has to do with what sort of support and instruction young people and converts receive about their faith as they move into deeper spiritual relationship with God and church. Here I ask, What would a supportive catechism look lik
Metamodern Christianity | 4. The Metamodern Christ
Who is the Christ of faith? What if he is the telos of existence itself? the direction to which all of thought and action tend? What if Christ Consciousness is the goal of a more comprehensive, open, de-centered, contextualized, and other-sensitive perspective? What if we (you and me) actually participate in the unfolding of God in the world?...0:00 "After Deconstruction Must Come Reconstruct
Metamodern Christianity | 3. Metamodern Christianity is Transhistorical
To get beyond the enduring impasse of the "science vs. religion" debate, let's give science its due—and then leave it in the dust! There's no need to affirm the historical basis of the Christian story to relate to the Christ of faith. If we can accept that the Gospels are prehistorical materials, we can get beyond the classic hangups and begin to see how "it's all made u
Metamodern Christianity | 2. Metamodernism, Miracles, and the Historical Jesus
Does the modern historical-critical lens on the Bible reject miracles on principle and thereby exclude in advance what it presupposes not to be true? Here I counter this critique by explaining how the miracles in the Gospels are problematized not by metaphysical prejudice but historical analysis. Taking the miracles in the Gospels at face value as historical events is problematic even if we work w
Metamodern Christianity | 1. What's Missing from the Discussion
In this episode, I offer my own take on the "God Pivot" towards Christianity in the Intellectual Dark Web and adjacent communities (e.g., the liminal web, "This Corner of the Internet," and beyond). Reflecting on my recent interview with Jordan Hall, I see something glaringly absent from the broader conversation: the modern historical-critical perspective. Therefore, I ask: 1)
56. The Thermodynamics of Meaning (w/ David Wolpert)
Complexity scientist David Wolpert joins me to consider the idea of meaning at its most fundamental level. Historically, information theory has helped us quantify information (e.g., bits), but says nothing about the ways information might be useful, significant, relevant, or meaningful. Recently, however, Wolpert and colleagues have filled in what's missing from that account, offering a theory
55. Reconstructing Value (w/ Zak Stein)
Philosopher Zak Stein joins me to discuss the "the great post-postmodern project, the reconstruction of value itself," and get into the nuances of what his framework looks like as presented in his new co-authored book First Principles & First Values. What does it mean to say that value is both fundamental and relational? How does a metaphysics of value avoid premodern pitfalls (e.g.,
54. Traditional Faith and Metamodernism (w/ Jared Morningstar)
Process thinker Jared Morningstar joins me to discuss the relationship of metamodernism to traditional forms of religion. How can engaging the traditional frame be done without losing hard-won gains in complexity and perspective-taking? Here Jared advocates for an open, flexible, and epistemically humble form of experimentation and participation in different religious modalities. We consider the r
53. God: A Metamodern Perspective (w/ Layman Pascal)
Integrative thinker Layman Pascal joins me to talk about the meaning of "God" from a metamodern perspective. How does thinking in terms of "surplus cohesion" point us to a helpful way of relating to all the meanings of the term? Why and when is a 2nd person relationship with Reality warranted? Who is this Face in the Universe summoning us to greater communion and transcendence?
52. Christianity as Process (w/ Jay McDaniel)
Process theologian Jay McDaniel joins me to discuss the contributions of process thought to the Christian tradition. What points of similarity and dissimilarity are there between process thinking and traditional, modern, and postmodern lenses?0:00 Introduction1:06 What Does Theology Look Like from a "Process" Lens?Relationship with Traditional Faith5:44 A Feeling, Responding God8:40 Not
51. Metamodern Christianity (w/ Brendan Graham Dempsey)
Here I lay out my conception of what a metamodern version of Christianity looks like. Drawing on the insights of all the previous cultural paradigms, the revelation of God's nature and the deepening quality of the relationship between God and man can be understood as progressing through a series of covenants/dispensations that map to a learning process unfolding through time. Such a perspectiv
50. Navigating Beyond Traditional Christianity (w/ Paul VanderKlay)
In this episode, I assume the modern historical-critical perspective with pastor and 'This Little Corner of the Internet' thinker Paul VanderKlay to explore the tension points it has with the traditional-devotional lens--and to consider if and how these impasses might be transcended. Does history matter to faith and to the faithful? If so, how, when, and why? Can we avoid equivocating disc
49. What's Missing from the Metamodern Christianity Discussion
In this episode, I offer my own take on the "God Pivot" towards Christianity in the Intellectual Dark Web and adjacent communities (e.g., the liminal web, "This Corner of the Internet," and beyond). Reflecting on my recent interview with Jordan Hall, I see something glaringly absent from the broader conversation: the modern historical-critical perspective. Therefore, I ask: 1)
48. Trans-Paradigmatic Christianity? (w/ Jordan Hall)
Following a recent conversion to Christianity, Jordan Hall offers his perspective on the Christian worldview, its orienting beliefs and how they inform (and affirm) ways of being in the world. Brendan brings his own background of being raised in and and leaving the church to the conversation, trying to gain deeper understanding about how one can affirm Christian doctrine in the context of a metamo
47. Beyond Science vs. Religion (w/ Patrick Barry)
Patrick Barry joins me to continue our discussion about the emerging contours of a metamodern wisdom school and the secular spirituality beginning to fill in the "missing tradition" between and beyond science and religion. 0:00 Introduction0:34 Towards a Secular Spirituality5:01 Awe and Mystery in Both Religion and Science10:25 "Faith" in What Is17:18 Being Naturally At Home in
46. Postmodern Philosophy and Beyond (w/ Stephen Hicks)
Stephen Hicks, a professor of philosophy and author of Explaining Postmodernism, joins me to discuss the transformation of worldviews from the premodern to the modern and from the modern to the postmodern. After his incisive overview of these dramatic shifts, we discuss what it might look like to integrate the genuinely positive contributions of postmodern thought, and consider where we are headed
45. Rebuilding Our Culture's Missing Tradition (w/ Patrick Barry)
Patrick Barry, a former science journalist and current coder for the popular Waking Up meditation app, joins me to talk about building wisdom communities and Stoas for secular spirituality. As those who claim no affiliation with organized religion (the "nones") are now the most populous religious identity in America, what institutions of meaning, virtue, and self-reflection might we see
44. Metamodernism and the Legacy of Integral Theory (w/ Bruce Alderman)
I'm joined by Integral thinker, theorist, teacher, writer, and community elder Bruce Alderman to talk about the ongoing love/hate relationship between metamodernism and Integral Theory, especially as the debate has been stirred up anew by the publication of my new book Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics. Here we tackle some of the ongoing controversies that continue to sw
43. Embodied Connection in Digital Spaces (w/ Ēlen Awalom)
Embodiment practitioner and teacher Ēlen Awalom joins me to talk about the promise and necessity of bringing more embodied wisdom into our world and, especially, our online spaces. We consider some approaches one can use in the context of triggering or polarizing engagements in digital forums in an attempt to return the focus back to the body and lived emotional experience in very disembodied cont
42. 'Prehension': Is Experience Fundamental? (w/ Matt Segall)
Whitehead scholar and process thinker Matt Segall joins me to deepen our conversation about responses to the meaning crisis as it relates to reconnecting cosmos, consciousness, and value. In this discussion, we dive into the topic of "prehension," an idea from Whitehead that posits an experiential component to all phenomena in the universe. 0:00 Introduction5:08 Prehension: Not Interior,
41. Debating the Place of the Human in Cosmology (w/ Matt Segall)
Matt Segall joins me to debate the relative merits of "anthroposophical" aproaches to addressing the meaning crisis, such as those adopted in the works of Steiner, Stein and Gafni, and, to some degree, Whitehead.0:00 Introduction4:15 Revisiting the Image of Nature: Revitalizing Romanticism?12:00 Humans in a Cosmos or a Cosmos Known by Humans?21:17 Is Mechanism Just a Part of the Process?
40. Morality and Development (w/ Michael Mascolo)
Dr. Michael Mascolo is a developmental psychologist who has written on hierarchical complexity as well as "moral relationalism." In this conversation, we discuss the Dynamic Skill Theory of cognitive complexification before considering what it might mean for moral reasoning. We debate the normative implications of complexification itself, navigating the polar extremes of moral absolutism
39. Islam and Metamodernism (w/ Jared Morningstar)
Jared Morningstar discusses the nexus of metamodernism and the Islamic tradition with me, using his recent essay for Emerge (linked below) as a way into the topic. We explore multi-perspectival approaches to traditionalism, and what it means to integrate its insights in a metamodern context. Jared also brings to bear his knowledge of process thought to the topic.0:00 Introduction1:43 Washing the H
38. The Limits of Complexity (w/ Bonnitta Roy)
Bonnitta Roy and I explore the meaning of complexification and the evolutionary narrative. After some introductory context on Bonnie's prior engagement in the "scene" of integrative metatheory, we find our way to the topic of teleology (i.e., the apparent goal-directedness of nature). From there Bonnie outlines some of the pivotal mutations in the evolutionary narrative that have inc
37. AI and the Evolution of Consciousness (w/ Gregg Henriques)
Could AI become conscious? Is it already? Everyone seems to be talking about this, yet little of the discussion is actually informed by grounded theories of consciousness and mind. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Gregg Henriques, professor of psychology at James Madison University, originator of the unified theory of knowledge framework, and the author of 'A New Synthesis for Solving th
36. Values after Postmodernism (w/ Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm)
Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm discusses conceptions of value after postmodernism. Is postmodernism a nihilistic relativism or an activist moralism? Critics have accused it of both. What values pervade the postmodern academic paradigm? How do value conceptions shift when the postmodern paradigm gets diffused in popular culture? Is the "is-ought distinction" actually valid? What would a pos
35. Updating Neoplatonic Spirituality (w/ John Vervaeke)
Psychology professor and cognitive scientist John Vervaeke (@johnvervaeke) joins me to talk about how Neoplatonism (which has provided the worldview "grammar" of Western mysticism) is being revisioned in light of contemporary advances in philosophy, cognitive science, and cross-cultural exchange. 0:00 Introduction1:21 Updating the Perennial Tradition6:19 A Post-Two-Worlds Neoplatonism12:
34. Development, Individual and Cultural: A Deep Dive (w/ Daniel Görtz)
Metamodern sociologist Daniel Görtz joins Brendan Graham Dempsey to dig deeper into the nuances of developmental theory and how it can be applied at the individual and collective levels. Are individuals "at" a stage of development, or do they occupy a range of complexity? With all the distributional ranges involved in individual development, how can we make assessments about entire cultu
33. The Future of Theory, Pt. 2 (w/ Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm)
Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm is an historian and philosopher, Professor of Religion and Chair of Science & Technology Studies at Williams College. He returns to continue our conversation about his book Metamodernism: The Future of Theory, a bold proposal for a post-postmodern paradigm.0:00 Introduction1:46 Is Postmodernism a Paradigm or an Episteme?17:15 Hylosemiotics (Cont.): Matter and Meani
32. Transhumanism, Emergentism, and Normativity (w/ Raymond de Oliveira)
Raymond de Oliveira joins Brendan to discuss the value in the Universe, whether it emerges from the logic of reality itself or is arbitrarily chosen, whether existence is inherently of value, nihilism and Buddhism, the QRI grand narrative of replicators vs. consciousness, the role of suffering in wisdom, and the "Three Realms" of conscious experience.0:00 Introduction1:43 From Is to Ough
31. Today's Myths (w/ Damien Walter)
Science Fiction critic, storyteller, and writer Damiel Walter joins Brendan to talk about 'Big Myth' and the culture industry's relationship to contemporary mythopoeia. What are the new stories of our time, what depth and "nutrients" do they contain (if any), and how does myth get transformed through the cultural codes? More than that, what myths do we live by, and why? What
30. Rebuilding Meaning (w/ Ellie Hain)
Social imaginarian Ellie Hain joins me to talk about her new project, Rebuilding Meaning, a multi-layered endeavor to rethink meaning, value, and the sacred in a way that can help bring color and vibrancy back to existence and cut through the proliferation of b******t in modern life. We talk about moving from paradigm thinking to the crafting of ideology, the nature and reality of the meaning cris
29. The Future of Theory (w/ Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm)
Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm is an historian and philosopher, Professor of Religion and Chair of Science & Technology Studies at Williams College. He received his PhD from Stanford University and his MA from Harvard University. He joins Brendan to discuss his work of systematic metamodern philosophy, 'Metamodernism: The Future of Theory.'0:00 Introduction2:34 What "Metamodernism&q
28. Culture, Plurality, Faith, Will (w/ Jonathan Rowson)
Jonathan Rowson of Perspectiva joins Brendan for a conversation about the nature of spirituality in the contemporary public square, the boundaries of the social imaginary, the thirst for spiritual conversation and community in a secular world, religion and epistemic justification, the religious impulse of submission vs. the modern ego, what taking the meta view on a multi-perspectival religious la
27. Advancing the Stage Theory Debate (w/ Daniel Görtz & Nora Bateson)
In their first-ever conversation on the topic together, Daniel Görtz and Nora Bateson join Brendan to talk about stage theory. Since Nora's social media post declaring developmental stage theories "BS" and "colonial as hell," the value and legitimacy of stage models has been a fervent topic of debate within the liminal web. In this conversation, Daniel and Nora are given space to more completely e
26. The Awakening Universe (w/ Bobby Azarian)
Bobby Azarian joins Brendan to discuss his new book The Romance of Reality: How the Universe Organizes Itself to Create Life, Consciousness, and Cosmic Complexity. In the first half of their conversation, Bobby presents the new cosmic narrative offered by the complexity sciences. Unlike the older, reductionist account, this is a story in which life is inevitable and part of a broader cosmic design
25. Philosophy, Wisdom & Metamodernism (w/ James Cussen)
James Cussen, creator of the @The Living Philosophy YouTube channel, talks to Brendan about metamodernism within the context of intellectual history, the relationship of philosophy to academia, the need for wisdom schools, and much else. Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com/subscribe
24. Religion and Development (w/ Nish Dubashia)
Nish Dubashia joins Brendan to discuss the topic of evolutionary spirituality, using the Spiral Dynamics framework to consider how religious conceptions evolve through the different value memes. Beginning with a synopsis of the basic structure of the religious narrative, Nish then shows how this story takes different forms as it finds expression through the different developmental stages. The prog
