John Cottingham is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Reading and an Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford. Renowned for his work on Descartes, moral philosophy, and the philosophy of religion, he has authored over thirty books, including The Spiritual Dimension, Why Believe?, and Philosophy of Religion: Towards a More Humane Approach. His scholarship bridges analytic rigor with a deep concern for the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human life.

His latest book is In Search of the Soul: A Philosophical Essay:
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174426/in-search-of-the-soul

In this episode, we explore Cottingham's call for a more 'humane' philosophy of religion—one that acknowledges the roles of emotion, ritual, and embodied practice in shaping belief. He critiques the overly abstract methods of contemporary philosophy and argues that genuine understanding of the sacred requires engaging the full range of human experience. We discuss how rituals and worship practices can be seen not merely as symbolic acts but as vital expressions of our search for meaning and connection.​

We also cover the interplay between science and spirituality, examining how a scientific worldview can either harm or coexist with a sense of the transcendent. Cottingham shares insights on the human longing for the good and how this desire points beyond material explanations, inviting a reevaluation of the role of religion in modern life.

Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:02:59 - Cottingham's Philosophical Journey & "Humane Perspective"
0:06:39 - Philosophy's Accessibility & Bridging the Gap for Non-Specialists
0:12:38 - The Starting Points of Religion
0:17:19 - Critiquing Scientism & the Need for a Broader Epistemology
0:25:33 - Grappling with Christian Doctrine vs. Science
0:38:49 - The Nature of "The Good": Platonic vs. Christian Conceptions
0:49:10 - The Necessity of Religious Practice
0:54:17 - Psychedelics and Spirituality
1:04:05 - Cottingham's Career Reflections
1:08:14 - Closing Remarks

My new book: "In Search of the Infinite - A Psychedelic Memoir":

https://amzn.eu/d/8MM0JhE

If you would like to connect with me on Instagram, you can do so at @tiagobooks

You can find the video recording with the slides at Anagoge's Podcast Youtube Channel.

Delivered at Kitarika 2024.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:31 - Defining Reality

00:07:04 - Foundations of Cognition

00:12:30 - Affordances and Optimal Grip

00:14:26 - 4E Cognitive Science

00:21:46 - Transcendence, Music & Stories

00:28:58 - Music and the Sacred

00:36:03 - Dualities

00:41:30 - Enlightenment

00:45:00 - Practical Wisdom

00:47:00 - Hemispheric Differences

00:50:00 - Cognitive Science of Insight

00:52:00 - Cognitive Continuum

00:53:50 - Psychedelics

00:59:00 - Connectome Harmonics

01:02:00 - History & Culture of Music

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Joseph LeDoux, a world-renowned neuroscientist whose research primarily focuses on survival circuits and their impacts on emotions such as fear and anxiety.

Dr. LeDoux is the Henry and Lucy Moses Professor of Science at New York University, and director of the Emotional Brain Institute. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of the amygdala and its role in processing threats, elucidating the relationship between physiological responses, cognitive interpretations, and the conscious experience of emotions.

Our conversation takes us back to Dr. LeDoux's earliest work with split-brain patients, a fascinating area of study that naturally led him to explore questions of consciousness. From there, he shares the journey that took him from studying humans to focusing on animal models, particularly in relation to fear and anxiety.

We delve into the intricate nature of emotions, discussing two contrasting theories: the traditional view that emotions are universal and rooted in our biology and the constructivist theory, which posits that emotions are constructed and shaped by our culture and personal experiences. Dr. LeDoux offers a compelling argument that while innate circuits control behavior, the conscious experience of an emotion is a cognitive interpretation based on our personal narratives and cultural schemas.

We also explore the topic of attributing emotional states to animals. Dr. LeDoux provides an insightful perspective on the difficulties of this task, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between physiological responses and conscious experiences and the potential dangers of anthropomorphizing animal behavior.

It's a fascinating journey into the depths of human emotion and the workings of our brain, offering valuable insights from one of the leading experts in the field. Whether you're a student of neuroscience, a curious learner, or simply interested in understanding the complexities of human emotion, this conversation will surely provide food for thought.

0:00:00 - Introduction

0:02:28 - The nature of emotions: biological or constructed theories

0:05:15 - The neuroscience of emotions and its foundation with split-brain patients

0:19:46 - Cognitive elements in emotions and the disconnect between physiological responses and the conscious experience of an emotion

0:27:27 - The role of biological neural circuits in emotional responses

0:31:05 - Emotional models and how emotional experiences are based on interpretation and shaped by language

0:39:47 - Attributing emotional states to animals and consciousness in mammals

0:56:48 - Joseph's career, the intersection of neuroscience and music, and his upcoming book