What does it mean to think deeply and live freely in an age of distraction? Philosopher Jon Burmeister reflects on his journey from analytical rigour to embodied integration, exploring whole-person education, the history of ideas, and reclaiming attention in a fragmented world.

Conversation Themes

• Whole-person education as liberation: How liberal arts education fosters curiosity, creativity, and self-knowledge while encouraging openness to change and growth.
• Deep thinking and the attention economy: Why reclaiming focus isn’t just about resisting distractions, but about preserving our capacity to care about what truly matters.
• Ideas as living histories: Viewing philosophy as a dynamic, evolving tradition and understanding our role in shaping and inheriting the collective intellectual journey.
• Flourishing through integration: How Jon balances analytical thinking with embodied practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork to harmonise the mind, body, and emotions, inspired by Aristotle’s vision of flourishing.
• Reimagining technology’s role: Jon’s intentional approach to living in the digital age, from setting boundaries to fostering deeper attention and presence in a world designed to fragment focus.

About the Guest
Jon Burmeister is Associate Professor Of Philosophy at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. His research interests are in philosophy of technology, philosophy of computing, philosophy of mind, and German Idealism. View Jon's academic profile and publications.

Full Show Notes
Visit the Grokkist podcast hub for a full digest of this episode including highlights and links to stuff we discussed: https://grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast/s4e5-jon-burmeister

Recorded 4 April 2024

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Music: Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon