This was the first real-life episode of the Anagoge Podcast, recorded in Portugal. The video of the conversation is available on YouTube. James Cooke is a neuroscientist, writer, and contemplative practitioner whose work bridges neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality. In his recent book The Dawn of Mind, he proposes a bold reframing of consciousness—placing it not in the brain alone, but within the deeper relational dynamics of life itself.

In this episode, we explore James' formative mystical experience as a teenager and how it set him on a lifelong journey to understand consciousness through science rather than in opposition to it. We unpack his core thesis of non-dual naturalism, the idea that reality is fundamentally relational, not made up of separate objects, and that consciousness itself may be best understood as an embodied epistemic relation between organism and world.

We discuss the illusion of the self, the role of suffering in revealing the nature of reality, and how insights from contemplative practice intersect with recent developments in neuroscience and quantum physics. Along the way, we grapple with the philosophical implications of groundlessness, the nature of ethics in a world without selves, and the limits of scientific explanation.

0:00 Start

0:45 James Cooke's Background

2:29 Why a Mystical Experience Led to a Scientific Path

5:53 A Broad Overview of the Book's Thesis: Non-Dual Naturalism

9:52 The Epistemic Weight of Mystical Experiences

17:02 The "No-Self" Claim and the Groundlessness of Reality

23:48 How the Infinite Nature of Reality is Relevant to Everyday Life

29:32 The Link Between "No-Self" and Ethics

39:03 The Nuances of Reducing Suffering: Utilitarianism vs. Values

45:57 Defining Life and Consciousness

50:49 How This Perspective Addresses the Hard Problem of Consciousness

1:06:15 Comparing Model-Building in Life vs. AI (LLMs)

1:09:19 The Influence of Kant and the Problem of Anti-Realism

1:15:52 The Power of Stories, Symbols, and Conventional Reality

1:23:35 The Role of Value Systems vs. Survival in Predictive Processing

1:33:41 The Problem of The One and the Many

1:45:13 Exploring Duality

1:48:56 James Future Work

Transcript article: https://tiagovf.medium.com/the-self-consciousness-relationality-54a037bb60a1

My new book, In Search of the Infinite – A Psychedelic Memoir, is a personal and philosophical account written over seven years, tracing my journey through over a dozen psychedelic experiences. It explores the depths of human experience: suffering, beauty, doubt, and wonder, through the lens of altered states and introspection, gradually moving from a strictly rational worldview toward a renewed engagement with religion. Blending memoir with philosophical reflection, it explores a sincere, evolving search for truth and meaning.

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

Free Digital Version: https://psychedelicmemoir.com/

If you would like to connect with me on Instagram, you can do so at @tiagobooks: https://www.instagram.com/tiagobooks/

The intro song is by Lief Sjostrom, titled Peril, from the album 'Impossible Parade'.
Website: https://liefsjostrom.com/
Album: https://liefsjostrom.bandcamp.com/album/impossible-parade

Alexander Jech is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Philosophy Department and a Faculty Affiliate at the Nanovic Institute for European Studies at the University of Notre Dame. His work often explores political philosophy, ethics, and the limits of language. In 2024, he published a new translation of Søren Kierkegaard's influential work, Fear and Trembling.

We explore Alexander's fascinating and serendipitous journey into studying Kierkegaard, which began somewhat reluctantly but blossomed into his main philosophical passion. We dive deep into the inseparable link between Kierkegaard's tumultuous personal life—marked by his complex relationship with his father and his famously broken engagement to Regina Olsen—and the development of his core philosophical ideas.

Alexander unpacks the intricate concept of indirect communication and the use of pseudonyms in works like "Either/Or". A significant portion of our conversation is dedicated to "Fear and Trembling," where we discuss the paradox of Abraham and Isaac, the nuances of translating the text, and the profound concept of the teleological suspension of the ethical, clarifying common misinterpretations along the way.

Finally, we connect Kierkegaard's thought to the modern day, exploring the "leap of faith" as a model for identity transformation. We discuss how this applies to overcoming addiction, the role of transformative or mystical experiences in creating new possibilities for the self, and the mysterious power of love and the sacred in grounding this leap.

0:00 - Introduction & Alexander's Background

3:26 - What Drew Alexander to Kierkegaard?

6:24 - The Serendipitous Path to Becoming a Kierkegaard Scholar

10:07 - Kierkegaard's Relevance for Students

10:38 - Teaching Kierkegaard & The Human Heart

15:20 - How Student Needs Led to a New "Fear and Trembling" Translation

18:12 - Kierkegaard's Historical & Philosophical Context (vs. Hegel & Romantics)

25:54 - The Link Between Kierkegaard's Personal Suffering & His Philosophy

28:05 - Factor 1: The Relationship with His Father

33:03 - Factor 2: The Relationship with Regina Olsen

38:31 - Factor 3: The Art of Indirect Communication

43:26 - How "Either/Or" Was a Tool to Repel Regina

48:14 - The Leap of Faith: Kierkegaard's Personal Failure with Regina

53:28 - Unpacking "Fear and Trembling": The Story of Abraham

58:02 - The Teleological Suspension of the Ethical

1:00:38 - The Correct Interpretation: Kierkegaard's Lack of Faith

1:05:22 - The Paradox of the Teleological Suspension of the Ethical

1:10:06 - Translating the Paradox: The Importance of "Intend" vs. "Want"

1:22:22 - Is Faith a Rejection of Practical Reason?

1:38:00 - The Role of the Revolutionary: Justifying Horrible Acts for a Greater Good?

1:47:17 - Applying Kierkegaard: The Leap, Identity & Transformative Experience

1:58:28 - The Sacred, Possibility, and Bridging the Gap

2:05:28 - Kierkegaard's Answer to the Addict: How to Make the Leap?

2:16:47 - Conclusion

This podcast is available in article format: https://tiagovf.medium.com/the-life-of-kierkegaards-life-the-leap-of-faith-41df3231981f

My new book, In Search of the Infinite – A Psychedelic Memoir, is a personal and philosophical account written over seven years, tracing my journey through over a dozen psychedelic experiences. It explores the depths of human experience: suffering, beauty, doubt, and wonder, through the lens of altered states and introspection, gradually moving from a strictly rational worldview toward a renewed engagement with religion. Blending memoir with philosophical reflection, it explores a sincere, evolving search for truth and meaning.

Paperback/Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/8MM0JhE
Free Digital Version: https://psychedelicmemoir.com/

If you would like to connect with me on Instagram, you can do so at @tiagobooks: https://www.instagram.com/tiagobooks/

The intro song is by Lief Sjostrom, titled Peril, from the album 'Impossible Parade'.
Website: https://liefsjostrom.com/
Album: https://liefsjostrom.bandcamp.com/album/impossible-parade

Jean-Philippe Marceau is a writer and podcaster associated with The Symbolic World, often working with Jonathan Pageau. With an academic background in mathematics, theoretical computer science, and philosophy of mind, his new book addresses the contemporary "meaning crisis" through the lens of Christian metaphysics.

In this episode, we explore the core arguments of JP's book, "Post-Reductionist Christianity." They explore the limitations of reductive materialism, the importance of synthesizing insights from thinkers like Jonathan Pageau and John Vervaeke, and the structure of a post-reductionist worldview. The discussion navigates the metaphysics of emanation and emergence, different approaches to Christian apologetics, and the philosophical challenges posed by panpsychism and idealism, all while seeking a more meaningful understanding of reality.

The nature of consciousness is also covered, in addition to attention, and the profound ontological meaning of 'love', and its connection to the Logos. We grapple with the understanding of miracles, from simple dismissals to explore symbolic and causal interpretations. We tackle the concept of God as Creator in relation to 'The Good,' the idea of a 'naturalist Christianity,' difficulties within religious tradition and scripture, and finally, JP shares his experience with Christianity.

0:00 Introduction and JP's new book.

1:07 JP on the book's conciseness and its audience.

2:27 Synthesizing the worldviews of Jonathan Pageau and John Vervaeke.

7:47 The book's core argument against reductionism towards Christian metaphysics.

12:47 Personal narratives in books and initial feedback on JP's work.

21:47 Contrasting vision-based vs. forceful Christian apologetics methods.

26:17 The metaphysical concept of emanation versus emergence.

30:57 Debating panpsychism, phenomenal consciousness, and potentiality.

38:27 Idealism, metaphysical analogy, and Christianity's view of matter.

46:47 Consciousness, attention, ontological love, and basic sentience.

1:04:47 Ontological love defined and its relationship to the Logos.

1:13:57 Understanding miracles: symbolism, causality, and Christian metaphysics.

1:28:07 God as personal Creator versus the Platonic "Good."

1:41:57 "Naturalist Christianity" vs. traditional faith, scripture, and community.

1:52:17 JP's personal experience with Christianity

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

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

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

Long time no see! I hope to make the podcast more active this year. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Gregory Sadler, likely the most influential philosophy educator to exist. Sadler earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Southern Illinois University. He is the Founder of ReasonIO, a consulting company providing philosophy content, training, and consulting services.

He has reached impressive popularity on YouTube, and his channel has over 130.000 subscribers and 13 million views. He has helped me digest challenging thinkers with fantastic lectures explaining the main concepts while providing additional context and insights. His channel is an absolute gold mine for anyone interested in philosophy.

We talk about the process of learning philosophy, the importance of good teachers, considerations about translated works, secondary literature, philosophical biases, truth, and much more. It was a very engaging conversation and one of my favorite episodes!

Timestamps:

3:28 Sadler's expertise and background
6:09 Sadler's journey in philosophy
12:58 Being a good teacher
17:34 Students from non-philosophical backgrounds
19:48 Stoicism, Sartre, and Nietzsche in Sadler's philosophy views
23:43 Importance of the original language in philosophical works
36:24 Death of philosophy
47:26 Trade-offs between primary and secondary literature
57:28 Philosophical biases and autodidactism
1:04:12 Intersection of truth in philosophy and religion

Gregory Sadler's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GregoryBSadler

Gregory Sadler's website: https://reasonio.wordpress.com/

www.anagogepodcast.com

PS: If you would like to connect with me on Instagram, you can do so at @tiagobooks: https://www.instagram.com/tiagobooks/

Anagoge Podcast is now over 1 year old! Thank you everyone for listening.

Shaun Gallagher is the Lillian and Morrie Moss Professor of Excellence in Philosophy at the University of Memphis. He is a founding editor and continues as a co-editor-in-chief of Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, an interdisciplinary journal published by Springer.

In this episode, we talk about Shaun's background, the nature of phenomenology and cognitive science, the role of embodiment and action, and Shaun's research about the overview effect; the awe astronauts feel during spaceflight when seeing Earth.

My main microphone died shortly after the podcast started, so you will notice the quality decreasing at some point, as I had to use my camera microphone. Sorry!

The timestamps below are made for YT so they are not 100% accurate as the pace differs slightly.

02:00 Shaun's background in philosophy
05:19 Shaun's background in cognitive science
07:00 Interdisciplinarity and Cog-Sci
10:00 The paradox of phenomenology
17:02 Scientific vs philosophical methods in phenomenology
21:02 Cog-Sci as an example of the role of philosophy in science
26:17 Existentialism in phenomenology
32:00 Embodied Cog-Sci and psychopathology
36:09 Virtual reality for therapy
39:45 What's 4E Cognitive Science?
53:05 4E Cognitive Science and Buddhism
58:15 Varela and Dalai Lama - Mind & Life Institute
1:00:00 Metaphysical tensions of Buddism and Western Science
1:04:00 Awe in the overview effect
1:10:15 Differences in present and future reporting
1:14:10 Background of the awe experience
1:16:45 Feeling of unity
1:19:45 Connections with psychedelic and religious experiences
1:25:00 Enactivist Cognition
1:31:00 Critique of Heidegger of social cognition
1:34:50 History of embodiment

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