This episode is inspired by Autonomy in Moral and Political Philosophy (you can read it HERE) by John Christman, which is an article that was published in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

The idea of freedom and autonomy go hand-in-hand. And, in the same way that we can be more or less free - dependent on external constraints - we can also be more or less autonomous - based on internal constraints.

I believe that social norms are where these external and internal constraints converge. Not only can we achieve greater levels of freedom by challenging social norms, but we can also achieve greater levels of autonomy as we challenge social norms as well.

Becoming ideally autonomous requires us to be our maximally authentic selves. To be authentic means knowing ourselves in all situations and to be aware of, and intentional about, our views of ourselves in relationship with ourselves.

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In Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave in The Republic, he describes the journey one may take from ignorance to knowledge. And, the sun is described as the source of knowledge, and by this source, we also know other things as well - on their own and in relationship to one another.

I think that if we think of this as a relative allegory, we can imagine situations wherein the “sun” is something different. Say for example, you, or me.

However, we must set our opinions of others or of other groups from these places of ignorance or of opinion. The source of opinion - unfortunately - is often from misrepresentations of people, or particular groups of people.

I think that we need to work through the “cave” and work towards knowledge as often as we can rather than forming our views from places of ignorance or opinion.

You can get in touch in the following ways!

Instagram: @natestvns

Email: [email protected]

Web: natestvns.com/podcast

In Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave in The Republic, he describes the journey one may take from ignorance to knowledge. And, the sun is described as the source of knowledge, and by this source, we also know other things as well - on their own and in relationship to one another.

I think that if we think of this as a relative allegory, we can imagine situations wherein the “sun” is something different. Say for example, you, or me.

However, we must set our opinions of others or of other groups from these places of ignorance or of opinion. The source of opinion - unfortunately - is often from misrepresentations of people, or particular groups of people.

I think that we need to work through the “cave” and work towards knowledge as often as we can rather than forming our views from places of ignorance or opinion.

You can get in touch in the following ways!

Instagram: @natestvns

Email: [email protected]

Web: natestvns.com/podcast

Has it ever felt like someone was arguing past you? Especially about politics? They treat you as if you are representing some group that you’re not aware of.

I think that may be a result of us focusing only on what we’re wanting to defeat without understanding the end goal beyond that.

I think that if we think of one another as one another as end’s in themselves rather than means to ends, then I begin to think about my interactions with others in a different way. How should we interact with each other?

I’m trying to avoid labeling of any kind for the sake of a more productive conversation about what we’d like to accomplish. I think we’d all like to be happy. It’s the way we get to that goal that is so controversial.

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Web: natestvns.com/podcast

Today’s episode is a bit different than usual! Today’s episode is short & I’m curious what your thoughts about holidays are.

We have so many of them, and I have no idea where most of them originate from or represent.

I’ll be back to normal episode format, tomorrow!

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I think that what we believe to be normal is influenced by what we believe to be natural. Whether that view of what is natural is of some supernatural origins (i.e. Christianity), or of some more empirical origins (i.e. materialistic naturalism).

Either way: I think it’s vitally important that we do not confuse norms & normalization with what is natural. Because, it is not that case that when someone is divergent from a social norm that they are unnatural, or are acting unnaturally.

Norms are established by choice and action. Because of this, we all have a say in how we interact with norms, and I believe that if we can stop treating anyone who may not conform to what is considered to be “normal” as odd, or weird, or anything in any disparaging way, then we can start to make steps in a direction that will lead to more inclusive and less exclusive societies.

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G. F. W. Hegel once said in a lecture on aesthetics that, “nations have deposited in works of art, their most inner intuitions and ideas.”

When I look around us today, I wonder what our most inner intuitions and ideas are. Especially when I look at architecture that is created all around us.

I also wonder what it does for us be consuming - so to speak - this art every day. I also consider architecture and city planning to be a form of art and representation. It certainly requires creative design thinking.

I think we have an opportunity to change the direction we are moving as a society, and I think it may be time to look toward the future and less to the past. It may be time to start telling a new story.

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For a long time I didn’t think there was any point to traveling. I didn’t realize that traveling isn’t some vanity just for the sake of doing so, but many of us have the opportunity to go and experience other cultures in a way that humans have not been able to do.

Our technology is helping us to see the perspectives of others in a way that is unknown to human experience.

I think this is huge. And - for me - I’ve enjoyed learning that not everything I believe is not necessarily true. I’ve also enjoyed learning that I have been wrong about certain things, and in the process have learned different views and perspectives of the world.

Ultimately, what we believe influences the way we interpret every one of our experiences. This helps us to construct our views of reality. When these beliefs and views are challenged, it can literally feel like an attack on the world. It’s easy to go to extremes.

However, I know that if we are patient and caring with one another, we will learn from one another’s differences and synthesize a new way forward.

You can get in touch in the following ways!

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Did you know that the way we’re taught history is propaganda? And, I mean even the way we think of early humanity! Do you really think the early humans were worried about men being hunter-gatherers while the women stayed home?

Have you ever been on the edge of survival? Did you worry about gender norms? I don’t think so.

I think the way we’re taught history is through a perspective of 17th and 18th century European achademic men, which means that the way we perceive things like father and husband through these lenses.

It’s time to challenge this norm.

Happy Father’s Day, You S. O. B.

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Have you ever spent so much time seeking advice, permission or hoping that someone will come and share your passion for the thing you want to accomplish in your life?

Well … I have. And, I realized that I’ve been developing my experience - not in the direction that I should have been, or towards my goals; rather, I have been becoming an expert at seeking permission and the approval of others.

I’d rather not be an expert in that any longer, and this episode is some of my reflections on my experience with that and some ways I’m challenging the norm of needlessly seeking advice or the permission of others to pursue the life I’d like to pursue.

You can get in touch in the following ways!

Instagram: @natestvns

Email: [email protected]

Web: natestvns.com/podcast