Presentation at the University of Arizona Consciousness Conference: Idealism, Cultural Narratives, and Social Change

[Seymen Atasoy]

Hello Friends,

I was a member of the previous forum under the username The-One-Who-Doesn't-Know. Beyond Bernardo's brilliant exposition of philosophical idealism, I am especially impressed by his endeavor to change the dominant cultural narrative and thus to stimulate positive social change in the world. Recently, I participated in the conference of the Center for Consciousness Studies, UofA, and discussed some related issues. I wasn't planning to make my ideas public as they are still premature. Yet, I noticed yesterday that someone I don't know took my presentation from the conference website and uploaded it to his/her YouTube channel called "Christian Idealism." I don't know anything about Christian apologetics but don't mind my presentation being used by any interested party. In fact, I want to use this occasion to seek some feedback from you for similar future work. I am particularly interested in the following question: Other than convincing philosophical argument, what development is likely to push or pull the currently dominant cultural narrative from materialism towards idealism? (New quantum physics experiments, contact with intelligent extra terrestrial beings, more advanced psychedelic substances/methods, ....... ???)

Thanks in advance.

[AshvinP]

I am particularly interested in the following question: Other than convincing philosophical argument, what development is likely to push or pull the currently dominant cultural narrative from materialism towards idealism? (New quantum physics experiments, contact with intelligent extra terrestrial beings, more advanced psychedelic substances/methods, ....... ???)

Thanks in advance.

Hello Seymen,

I look forward to watching your presentation.

As to your question, I would say pushing the connection between idealism and religious mythology/tradition is a fruitful path. There is already a religious-mythic archetypal substratum in every culture around the world and therefore that imagery and language will really resonate with people at their cores. The trick is to do it in a way that does not seem morally "preachy" or evangelistic. There are a few philosophical thinkers engaged in such pursuits now, such as John Vervaeke, Jeffrey Kripal and Jordan Peterson. BK touches on this connection in some of his writings but it would be nice to see him bring it up more explicitly and more often in his interviews. It sounds like your presentations can be adapted in that manner as well, since it was already uploaded to a Christian Idealist channel.

[Seymen Atasoy]

Thank you for the interesting and helpful comments AshvinP.

I didn't know of and am now checking out John Vervaeke.

Best.