JRE #2193 – Jack Symes

This podcast features a conversation between Joe Rogan and Jack Symes, a public philosopher, exploring a range of thought-provoking topics, from the multiverse and new atheism to the nature of consciousness and the meaning of life. Symes’s unique perspective on philosophy as a “kind of plumbing,” unblocking societal conversations, adds an engaging and relatable dimension to the discussion. The podcast touches on controversial issues like the ethical implications of hunting, factory farming, and even the potential dangers of psychedelic experiences, prompting listeners to question their own beliefs and values.

Here are some of the major topics covered in the podcast:

• The Role of Philosophy in a Scientistic World
  1. Symes argues that philosophy is not dead, as some scientists claim, but rather plays a vital role in clarifying concepts and framing big picture questions that science alone cannot answer.
  2. He likens philosophy to plumbing, fixing societal conversations that become clogged by misunderstanding.
  3. The podcast highlights the need for philosophical inquiry even in a world dominated by scientific advancements.
  4. Symes challenges the notion that science can solve all problems, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of philosophical thought.
• The Multiverse and Its Philosophical Implications
  1. Symes argues that the multiverse, a theory explored in physics, is a topic that philosophers should engage with to explore its implications for concepts like meaning and purpose.
  2. The podcast explores the philosophical implications of a multiverse, including the potential for infinite suffering and the challenge it poses to concepts like the goodness of God.
  3. It delves into the philosophical debate surrounding the multiverse, examining different perspectives and arguments for and against its existence.
  4. Symes questions the implications of a multiverse, suggesting that it might necessitate a reevaluation of our understanding of meaning and purpose.
• The Shortcomings of New Atheism
  1. Symes critiques the new atheist movement for its failure to adequately address the fundamental questions of existence and purpose, ultimately failing to offer a satisfying alternative to religious belief systems.
  2. The podcast explores the limitations of new atheism, highlighting its tendency towards dogmatism and its inability to provide meaningful answers to existential questions.
  3. It examines the arguments presented by new atheists and argues that they often fall short of providing compelling answers to philosophical questions.
  4. Symes suggests that new atheism has become unfashionable because it lacks the depth and nuance to address the complexities of human existence.
• The Problem of Evil and Its Implications for Belief Systems
  1. The podcast discusses the problem of evil, which poses a significant challenge for the existence of a perfectly good God. If God exists, why does suffering exist?
  2. Symes examines the argument from fine-tuning, suggesting that the universe is too finely tuned for life to have arisen by chance, offering support for the existence of a creator.
  3. He challenges the idea of a perfectly good God in light of the pervasive suffering in the natural world, posing the question of why such a God would create a system that allows for pain and suffering.
  4. The podcast explores the development of different concepts of God, like pantheism and panentheism, in response to the problem of evil, suggesting that perhaps God is not a being outside of the universe but rather the universe itself.
• The Nature of Consciousness and Panpsychism
  1. The podcast explores the question of whether consciousness is unique to humans or if it is present in all things, a concept known as panpsychism.
  2. Symes argues that our egocentric perspective on consciousness might limit our understanding of its true nature and potential presence in non-human entities.
  3. The podcast discusses the philosophical implications of panpsychism, questioning whether the universe itself could be fundamentally conscious and if this would impact our understanding of God.
  4. It delves into the complexities of consciousness, exploring the idea that our experiences might be more connected than we realize and that the universe could be a unified field of consciousness.
• The Ethics of Hunting, Factory Farming, and Our Relationship with Nature
  1. The podcast explores the ethical considerations surrounding hunting, contrasting it with factory farming and examining the different forms of suffering involved.
  2. Symes argues that hunting, when done with respect for the animal and its place in the natural world, can be more humane than factory farming, which he views as a form of industrial-scale cruelty.
  3. The podcast dives into the philosophical debate surrounding non-human animal rights, posing the question of whether humans have a moral obligation to protect animals from suffering.
  4. It highlights the hypocrisy of individuals who condemn hunting while supporting factory farming, challenging listeners to examine their own consumption choices and the impact they have on the natural world.
• The Role of Psychedelic Experiences in Spirituality and Mental Health
  1. The podcast delves into the use of psychedelics and explores the philosophical arguments surrounding their potential benefits and risks.
  2. Symes discusses the potential parallels between psychedelic experiences and religious experiences, suggesting that they might share a common root in altered states of consciousness.
  3. It examines the ethical and moral implications of using psychedelics, highlighting the need for responsible use and awareness of potential negative effects.
  4. The podcast acknowledges the potential benefits of psychedelics for mental health but also cautions against the dangers of uncontrolled use and the need for further research.
• The Importance of Open-Mindedness and Critical Thinking
  1. Symes emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and critical thinking in engaging with philosophical questions and challenging established belief systems.
  2. The podcast encourages listeners to question their own beliefs and values, to be open to opposing viewpoints, and to avoid falling into ideological capture.
  3. It challenges listeners to be intellectually honest and to be willing to change their minds in light of new evidence and arguments.
  4. Symes stresses the importance of engaging in respectful and thoughtful discourse, avoiding dogmatism and promoting a more nuanced understanding of complex topics.
• The Power and Dangers of Belief Systems
  1. The podcast explores the allure and danger of belief systems, examining how they can provide meaning and purpose but also lead to blind obedience and indoctrination.
  2. It examines the role of belief systems in shaping human behavior and motivations, discussing the impact of both religious and secular ideologies.
  3. Symes highlights the importance of critical thinking in navigating belief systems, challenging listeners to question assumptions and to be wary of dogma.
  4. The podcast explores the complexities of indoctrination and deprogramming, suggesting that it takes strength and courage to challenge deeply held beliefs.
• The Power of Storytelling and Its Role in Shaping Human Understanding
  1. The podcast examines the power of stories, particularly religious narratives, in shaping human beliefs and values.
  2. Symes discusses the origins of religious stories and the possibility that they might have been rooted in real events but have been distorted over time.
  3. It highlights the importance of critical thinking in evaluating religious narratives, questioning whether they are divinely inspired or merely products of human imagination.
  4. The podcast explores the role of storytelling in human culture, suggesting that stories can provide both comfort and guidance but should be approached with a healthy dose of skepticism.
• The Importance of a Meaningful Life in a Seemingly Meaningless World
  1. The podcast tackles the question of meaning in a world that might lack ultimate purpose, examining different perspectives on how to find meaning in the face of existential angst.
  2. Symes argues that even if the universe is indifferent, humans still have the capacity to create meaning and purpose through their actions and relationships.
  3. It explores the idea that meaning can be found in personal growth, contributing to society, and connecting with others.
  4. The podcast emphasizes the importance of cultivating a sense of purpose and of finding meaning in the small moments of life, even in a world that might lack an ultimate plan.
• Free Speech and Its Limits in a Polarized World
  1. The podcast explores the complexities of free speech in a world where societal divisions are increasingly pronounced, examining the balance between free expression and the need to protect individuals from harm.
  2. Symes discusses the arguments for and against limitations on free speech, exploring the concept of the harm principle and the different ways in which speech can be harmful.
  3. It examines the role of social media and the internet in shaping public discourse and the challenges of censorship in the digital age.
  4. The podcast encourages listeners to think critically about the boundaries of free speech and to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue even when confronting controversial or offensive ideas.

Here are five memorable quotes from the podcast:

“One of the ideas that I love is this one by the late great British philosopher Mary Mitchelly. She likens philosophy to a kind of plumbing, right? So like we have these conversations in our societies and like these conversations are flowing around and likewise we have these pipes running underneath our houses keeping the water flowing. But occasionally it gets clogged and so the philosopher needs to pull up the floorboards, see what the clog is and help the conversation move along again.” – Jack Symes

“The big question for me and how all of my work seems to explore this fundamental question, the French Algerian philosopher Albert Camus said the fundamental question of philosophy is whether life is or is not worth living. Like so my question is what’s the point of all this? Is existence on the whole a good thing? Should we be happy and pleased to be alive and what’s the purpose of life?” – Jack Symes

“The Kalam cosmological argument in philosophy is really popular. It just goes, everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore it needs a cause. And then you do this deduction to figure out what kind of cause that could be and it would have to be something outside of time and space with power and knowledge to bring this into being.” – Jack Symes

“I think that these people sort of looked at this as religion is all this superstitious nonsense that these people have concocted and put together over years to keep people in line. And science is something that we can prove and see and there is no God, but just… How do you know? You do not know. It’s a crazy thing to say. You have such a limited perspective just in terms of the universe itself. We only see what we see on our planet and the tiny amount that we can reach out into the…” – Joe Rogan

“I worry though that when you do the maths, whether it can be justified, we’re talking trillions of uncountable animals. Forever. Into time. It’s getting better, right? But if I was to say to you that I can spawn a person here next to us now, but to do it I’m going to execute 50 chimpanzees right there. If you said yes, I’d say that was a stupid choice to… It’s a weird choice because we’ve definitely done that. We’ve definitely done that for makeup.” – Jack Symes