Lecture by John Vervaeke: Introduction to the Series on Cognition, Buddhism, and Wisdom

Presenter Information

• Name: John Vervaeke
• Position: Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto
  • Psychology Department
  • Cognitive Science Program
  • Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health Program

Purpose of the Series

• Objective: To unify various works and present an interconnected argument about cognition, mindfulness, and modern phenomena.

Motivations and Background

• Personal Interest: Confluence between Buddhism and cognitive science.
• Mindfulness Revolution: Increasing global interest in mindfulness ( e.g., a dedicated section in bookstores).
• Wisdom: Growing academic and public interest in wisdom and ancient philosophies like Stoicism.
• Psychedelics: Rising academic and public attention to the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment.
• Happiness and Meaning: Shift towards understanding and seeking deeper meaning in life.
• Cultural and Crisis Context: Rising issues with mental health, societal trust, and engagement in meaningful activities.

Core Assertions

• Unified Explanation: Modern confluence and crises are interconnected phenomena pointing to a larger Meaning Crisis.
  • Light Side: Mindfulness, wisdom, psychedelics, meaning.
  • Dark Side: Mental health crisis, disconnection from reality, societal breakdown.
• Series Goals: Provide a comprehensive analysis and response to the meaning crisis.

Series Outline

• Main Questions:
  1. What is meaning?
  2. Why do we hunger for it?
  3. How do we cultivate wisdom to realize meaning?
• Topics to Cover:
  • Historical account of the meaning crisis.
  • Evolution of meaning in human history.
  • Relationship between meaning, wisdom, and self-transcendence.
  • Importance of altered states of consciousness ( e.g., shamanism, flow state, psychedelic experiences, mystical experiences).
  • Concept and role of awakening experiences in cognitive and life transformations.
  • Scientific and cognitive study of meaning and knowing, with an emphasis on different kinds of knowledge beyond just beliefs.
  • Cognitive mechanisms and psychotechnologies used for meaning-making.
  • Impact of foolishness and self-deception on cognition.

Proposed Methodology

• **Approach: **Rigorous and rational argumentation, minimizing jargon.
• Audience: Targeting individuals with personal and existential interest rather than purely academic focus.
• **Commitment: **Provide well-argued, plausible viewpoints.

Foundational Insights

• Evolutionary Background:
  • Upper Paleolithic Transition (~40,000 BCE): Emergence of human characteristics like art, music, and calendrics.
  • Enhanced cognition and social networks as a response to near-extinction events.
  • Development of rituals to manage complex trade and social interactions, and loyalty.
• Shamanism:
  • Pervasive historical figure, significant for healthcare and social cohesion.
  • Shamanic practices alter consciousness and enhance cognition through rituals, psychedelics, and sensory manipulation (e.g., singing, dancing, isolation).
• Insight Mechanisms:
  • Disruption of normal cognitive framing to achieve insights (e.g., solving the nine-dot problem by breaking conventional thinking patterns).
  • Participatory knowing and wisdom derived from shared cultural and cognitive practices.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Objective: Establish a unified response to the meaning crisis by integrating historical, cognitive scientific, and practical perspectives.
• Upcoming Topics: Deeper exploration of shamanism, altered states, and their cognitive implications.
• Invitation: Encourages viewers to engage intellectually and existentially with the series content.

Thank you for your attention.