#101 - How Catholicism can solve the Meaning Crisis
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 Crisis00:20 John Verveake and the Historical Context02:14 Scientific Revolution and Its Impact03:57 Materialism and Its Consequences05:20 The Mechanical Universe and Nihilism11:27 Reconnecting Morality and Mythology15:57 21st Century Revival and Online Influence21:46 Challenges and Opportunities for Modern Evangelism23:58 Q&A and Personal Reflections Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe
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The Tripartite Psyche and Inner-conflict: Plato's Republic, Book 4
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 psycheβthe appetite, the rational self, and Thymosβinteract 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 Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe
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#100 - Jordan Hall - Is Christianity the Key to the Meta-Crisis?
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 βMeta-crisisβ and co-founded the Game B movement, seeking alternative societal structures to address systemic challenges. SummaryIn 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context of the Meta Crisis02:45 Understanding the Nature of the Meta Crisis05:46 The Role of Spirituality in Crisis08:49 Virtue vs. Virtue Signaling in the Digital Age12:05 Transitioning from Modernity to Digital Age15:01 Digital Identity and the Commons18:01 The Need for Accountability in Digital Spaces20:55 The Sacred and the Governance of Digital Identity24:09 Reconnecting with the Sacred in a Digital World27:00 The Foundation of Virtue and Relationship with God31:33 The Nature of Virtue and Conviction34:08 Grounding in Relationship with God36:44 The Challenge of Modernity and Faith39:36 Understanding Faith as Relationship43:25 Restoring Meaning and Language47:28 The Weight of Responsibility in Faith51:13 The Process of Growth and Transformation52:51 Navigating the Meta Crisis56:15 The Spiritual Challenge of Growth58:43 Listening to God and Mutual Commitment01:00:05 The Dance of Relationships and Digital Encounters01:03:00 The Challenge of Love and Presence01:05:56 Hierarchy and Leadership in Crisis01:08:55 The Universal Church and Reconciliation01:12:10 The Role of Tradition and Interpretation01:18:01 The Call to Action and Personal Mission Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe
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#99 - Colin Deyoung & Adam Safron - Sam Harris is WRONG (the self is real)
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/10.1177/10888683221083777Timestamps:00:00 Exploring the Concept of Self07:07 The I and the Me: Understanding Selfhood10:40 Epistemology vs. Ontology: The Nature of Consciousness18:03 Illusions of Self and Consciousness22:45 The Role of Consciousness in Action34:28 Transformations of Self: Continuity and Change36:36 The Nature of Self and Values39:12 Core Values and Personality41:03 Understanding Self Through Values43:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery46:32 Integration and Self-Realization49:22 The Role of Goals in Self-Understanding54:05 AI, Selfhood, and Alignment Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe
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#98 - Fr Benedict McGlinchey - Why Irish Young People Are Returning to Faith
"Faith seeking understanding"
Mahon McCann is an Irish philosophy Phd researcher and lecturer, specialising in ethics, philosophy of mind and digital technologies. He is a former atheist and Catholic convert and on this podcast he explores christian solutions to the meaning crisis, philosophy beyond reductive materialism, meaning and manipulation in the machine age and bridging the gap between the secular world and Christendom. Join the Raising the Cross substack to get every episode to your inbox π www.mahonmccann.com
Ireland