Mahon McCann

In this conversation, Mahon McCann and Dom from @thelogosproject7 delve into the complexities of modernity, its impact on religion, and the Catholic response to contemporary challenges. They explore the historical context of modernity, the secular-religious divide, and the implications of the Renaissance on individualism and philosophy. The discussion highlights the need for a return to a relational ontology that integrates theology and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of tradition in addressing modern issues. Check out dom’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelogosproject7

Chapters:

00:00 Exploring Modernity and Its Challenges

06:52 The Crisis of Religion in Modernity

14:03 The Renaissance and Its Impact on Philosophy

20:54 The Catholic Response to Modernity

33:41 Revisiting Nature and Supernature in Theology

33:59 The Nature of Supernature

37:42 The Second Vatican Council and Its Impact

42:17 Overcoming Dualisms in Modern Philosophy

46:51 The Role of Plato and Aquinas in Modern Thought

52:39 Blondel and Ulrich: Philosophical Giants

56:39 The Future of Theology and Philosophy

This video explores the 'Meaning Crisis,' a profound cultural and historical phenomenon affecting mental health and existential stability in the West. Drawing inspiration from John Vervaeke's extensive lecture series and works, we delve into the scientific revolution, materialism, and their impacts on traditional cosmologies and personal worldviews. The discussion highlights key figures like Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo, and Jordan Peterson, analysing their contributions and effects on modern thought. The video also addresses the resurgence of interest in Christianity, proposing that a reclamation of the core Christian structure could solve the ongoing crisis. The conversation touches upon the role of online media in fostering new avenues for faith and community, suggesting a pivotal moment for re-evangelising secular spaces.

Talk was given at the Legion of Mary Young Adult Apologetics conference in Dublin, 2025.

Disclaimer: the views expressed in the talk are the speaker's own and do not represent any of the thinkers mentioned or John Verveake's original framing of the meaning crisis.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Meaning Crisis

00:20 John Verveake and the Historical Context

02:14 Scientific Revolution and Its Impact

03:57 Materialism and Its Consequences

05:20 The Mechanical Universe and Nihilism

11:27 Reconnecting Morality and Mythology

15:57 21st Century Revival and Online Influence

21:46 Challenges and Opportunities for Modern Evangelism

23:58 Q&A and Personal Reflections

In the fourth part of our lecture series on Plato's Republic, we delve into Plato's concept of the tripartite psyche and the four cardinal virtues. We explore how the three parts of the psyche—the appetite, the rational self, and Thymos—interact and often conflict with one another, causing inner turmoil. Plato's model is foundational for many subsequent theories in psychology, from Freud to modern generative and predictive processing models. Learn how Plato's notion of justice as psychological integration provides a framework for reducing inner conflict and fostering alignment among the different parts of the psyche, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and connected existence.

A good deal of the content from this lecture is inspired by John Verveake's Awakening From the Meaning Crisis Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neDutbcedUY&ab_channel=JohnVervaeke

Introduction to the series: https://youtu.be/TZ8_rQNFfLU

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Plato's Republic Lecture Series 00:56 The Appetite: Immediate Desires and Motivations 02:42 Thymos: The Social and Emotional Self 07:54 Consequences of Inner Conflict and Injustice 10:31 Conclusion: The Intrinsic and Consequential Good of Justice

Jordan Hall is a philosopher, futurist, and recently, a Christian. He played a significant role in the digital media landscape at MP3.com and later as the founder and CEO of DivX, a company instrumental in the online digital video revolution. After this, Hall focused on stopping the “Meta-crisis” and co-founded the Game B movement, seeking alternative societal structures to address systemic challenges.

Summary

In this conversation, Mahon McCann and Jordan Hall explore the concept of the meta-crisis, emphasising its roots in spiritual warfare and the breakdown of modernity. They discuss the implications of digital culture on virtue, identity, and community, advocating for a return to the sacred and the importance of accountability in the digital realm. The dialogue highlights the need for reconciliation among Christians and the transformative power of faith in navigating contemporary challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Meta Crisis

02:45 Understanding the Nature of the Meta Crisis

05:46 The Role of Spirituality in Crisis

08:49 Virtue vs. Virtue Signaling in the Digital Age

12:05 Transitioning from Modernity to Digital Age

15:01 Digital Identity and the Commons

18:01 The Need for Accountability in Digital Spaces

20:55 The Sacred and the Governance of Digital Identity

24:09 Reconnecting with the Sacred in a Digital World

27:00 The Foundation of Virtue and Relationship with God

31:33 The Nature of Virtue and Conviction

34:08 Grounding in Relationship with God

36:44 The Challenge of Modernity and Faith

39:36 Understanding Faith as Relationship

43:25 Restoring Meaning and Language

47:28 The Weight of Responsibility in Faith

51:13 The Process of Growth and Transformation

52:51 Navigating the Meta Crisis

56:15 The Spiritual Challenge of Growth

58:43 Listening to God and Mutual Commitment

01:00:05 The Dance of Relationships and Digital Encounters

01:03:00 The Challenge of Love and Presence

01:05:56 Hierarchy and Leadership in Crisis

01:08:55 The Universal Church and Reconciliation

01:12:10 The Role of Tradition and Interpretation

01:18:01 The Call to Action and Personal Mission

Colin Deyoung is a personality psychologist, personality neuroscientist, the creator of the Cybernetic Big Five Personality theory and professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota.

Adam Safron, Ph. D., is a Cognitive Scientist and psychologist who studies the nature of preferences and motivation from mechanistic, developmental, and evolutionary perspectives. Recently, he has proposed a model of embodied agency and free will and is working on a unified mechanistic account of psychedelics.

This conversation delves into the complex nature of the self, exploring its psychological, philosophical, and practical implications. The discussion begins with the distinction between the 'I' and 'me' aspects of self, as articulated by William James, and extends to the illusory nature of self as viewed in Buddhist philosophy. The speakers examine how consciousness functions as a model that shapes our understanding of reality and the self. They also discuss the importance of values in defining identity and the challenges of integrating conflicting goals. The conversation concludes with reflections on the implications of selfhood in the context of artificial intelligence and future developments.

Check out the papers:

https://journals-sagepub-com.dcu.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1177/10888683221083777

Timestamps:

00:00 Exploring the Concept of Self

07:07 The I and the Me: Understanding Selfhood

10:40 Epistemology vs. Ontology: The Nature of Consciousness

18:03 Illusions of Self and Consciousness

22:45 The Role of Consciousness in Action

34:28 Transformations of Self: Continuity and Change

36:36 The Nature of Self and Values

39:12 Core Values and Personality

41:03 Understanding Self Through Values

43:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery

46:32 Integration and Self-Realization

49:22 The Role of Goals in Self-Understanding

54:05 AI, Selfhood, and Alignment

In this conversation, Father Benedict McGlinchey ( ⁨@irishdominicans⁩ ) shares his journey to becoming a Dominican friar, reflecting on his upbringing in Northern Ireland, the impact of a positive Catholic experience, and the challenges posed by secularism and new atheism. He discusses the importance of intellectual rigor in faith, the revival of interest in spirituality among younger generations, and the need for creating spaces for divine encounters in modern life. The dialogue emphasizes the search for meaning and happiness in a world increasingly detached from traditional religious practices.

Chapters:

00:00 Journey to Faith: A Personal Background

11:06 The Role of Positive Experiences in Faith

13:50 Cracks in the Foundation: The Decline of Faith

17:29 Political Context and Its Impact on Faith

20:01 The Rise of Secularization and New Atheism

20:19 Materialism vs. Spirituality: The Celtic Tiger Effect

22:07 Transitioning from Law to Religious Life

23:40 A Journey of Faith and Illness

25:47 Reevaluating Life Choices

26:43 Discovering Dominican Spirituality

28:35 The Role of Preaching in Modern Faith

32:15 The Shift in Cultural Perception of Faith

35:05 The Revival of Faith in Contemporary Society

40:20 Experiencing the Divine in Modern Life

43:31 Creating Spaces for Spiritual Experience

Want to support the Wisdom Dojo? Consider sharing this post or becoming a patron 👇

Jean-Philippe Marceau is a writer and podcaster with an academic background in mathematics, theoretical computer science and philosophy of mind. He is the author of "Post-reductionist Christianity: A Way Out of the Meaning Crisis" published with the Symbolic World Press. He is a regular contributor to the Symbolic World blog and acted as its editor-in-chief for many years since its conception.

Get the Book: https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/products/post-reductionist-christianity-a-way-out-of-the-meaning-crisis

In this conversation, Mahon McCann and JP explore the themes of reductive materialism, its critiques, and the implications for understanding consciousness, rationality, and the human condition. They discuss the emergence of higher-level properties in science, the role of classical metaphysics, and how these ideas relate to the meaning crisis in contemporary society. The discussion culminates in the assertion that Christianity, particularly through the lens of the Eucharist, provides a solution to the meaning crisis, offering a path back to community and meaning in a world increasingly dominated by materialism.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Reductive Materialism

04:48 Flaws of Reductive Materialism

10:13 Arguments Against Reductionism

20:35 Emergence in AI and Science

23:11 Philosophical Challenges to Materialism

28:08 Classical Metaphysics vs. Reductive Materialism

39:54 Anthropology and the Human Condition

43:32 Patterns of Existence and Higher Realities

46:13 The Role of Higher Patterns in Overcoming Sin

49:28 Classical Metaphysics and Its Relation to Christianity

52:28 The Limits of Philosophical Arguments for Christianity

56:21 Zombies as a Metaphor for Materialism

01:02:04 The Eucharist: A Solution to the Meaning Crisis

Want to support the mission of the wisdom dojo to provide free education after the meaning crisis? Consider becoming a patron 👇

Howiyeee,

Got to join Jacob Kishere of the Sensespace podcast and Resonant Man project on his Culture Pilgrim Substack. We discussed the continuing strange return of Christianity and my own conversion to Catholicism. We dive into some other topics including the Meta-Crisis and meaning crisis, psychedelics and transformative practises, the liminal web and performative Christianity!

This is the third part of a series unpacking Plato's Republic. This episode dives into Book Three, focusing on the critique of Greek literature, the educational program divided into music and physical training, the introduction of the rulers from the warrior class, and the famous 'Noble Lie' that establishes the city's caste system. Discover how Plato criticises the Homeric myths, redefines moral standards, and proposes a structured society with an emphasis on ethical and harmonious living.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Plato's Republic Series

00:17 Overview of Book Three

04:06 The Role of Imitation in Education

09:55 Selection and Role of the Rulers

11:39 The Noble Lie and Caste System

Introduction:

Episode 1:

Episode 2:

Want to support the educational work of the wisdom Dojo? Consider becoming a supporter below 👇

Best,

Mahon.

Fr Conor McDonough (@thewhitestone) is a Dominican Friar and Phd Student in the national university of Galway on “The Letters of St Paul in Early Irish Christianity”. He is an educator and communicator of the Catholic faith and frequently features in videos from the Irish Dominicans youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@irishdominicans

In this podcast we explore the current state of Irish Catholicism, highlighting its decline in practice and the alienation of many from the church. We discuss the lack of basic knowledge among self-identified Catholics, the impact of scandals on trust in the church, and the absence of beauty in liturgical practices. However, there is hope in the revival of the faith online and particularly among younger generations. We discuss the impact of modern thinkers like Jordan Peterson on the perception of religion, the spiritual awakening of Gen Z, and the search for truth, beauty, and goodness in a secular world.

Check it out 👇

Chapters:

00:00 The Current State of Irish Catholicism

02:53 Decline and Alienation from the Church

05:53 Cultural Conformity and Choreography Catholicism

08:52 The Intellectual Tradition and Lack of Curiosity

11:57 The Shift in Attitudes Towards Catholicism

14:49 Historical Context of Irish Catholicism

18:10 The Impact of Secularization on Faith

20:57 Personal Experiences and Conversations about Faith

24:05 The Search for Meaning in a Secular Age

27:54 The Crisis of Faith in Modern Society

29:51 Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in Catholicism

32:59 The Impact of Scandals on Faith

36:00 Personal Faith Amidst Institutional Failures

39:03 Spirituality Beyond Traditional Religion

41:50 The Role of Online Communities in Faith

44:54 Generational Shifts in Spirituality

48:02 Rediscovering Faith in a Digital Age

50:59 The Search for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness

53:54 The Importance of Community in Faith Practice

58:37 The Role of Religious Practices in Modern Society

01:00:41 Bridging Divides: The Importance of Community

01:02:07 Engaging the Youth: The Church's Response to New Interest

01:05:53 Navigating Challenges: The Journey Back to Faith

01:08:27 Cultural Reflections: Literature and the Search for Meaning

01:12:41 The Quest for Truth: Artistic Expressions of Faith

01:16:43 Overcoming Prejudices: The Journey Towards Acceptance

01:20:42 Building Community: Resources and Recommendations for Young Adults

Best,

Mahon.