Metaphysics of Mattering | John Vervaeke on Life’s Deep Connections

In this presentation delivered at the "Metaphysics and the Matter with Things: Thinking with Iain McGilchrist" conference—a collaborative event by the Center for Process Studies (CPS) and the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in March 2024—John Vervaeke explores the concept of "mattering" and its critical role in understanding the meaning of life. He contrasts "meaning in life" with the broader "meaning of life," emphasizing the importance of connectedness and belonging over mere purpose. Vervaeke draws on research to introduce "religio," a deep sense of connectedness that underpins our existence, and critiques materialism for overlooking the relational aspects of human life. Through cognitive science, biology, and philosophy, Vervaeke demonstrates how our intelligence and problem-solving abilities are deeply intertwined with our capacity to find what truly matters.

—

Metaphysics and the Matter with ThingsThinking with Iain McGilchrist was a collaborative conference put on by the Center for Process Studies (CPS) and the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in March of 2024. This threeday conference brought leading process thinkers across various disciplines, including physics, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and theology, into critical dialogue with McGilchrist’s work in a collegial effort to assess, question, extend, and apply it. For more information on the conference and to purchase recordings, please visit

If you want to learn more about Prof. John Vervaeke's new Online Classrooma place to learn, dialogue, reflect and transform our relationship to the life and times we are in

Embark on a journey of personal growth and meaning with us. Join our Patreon community, where shared wisdom fuels transformation.

—

—

The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission.

Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.

—

Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode

Matthew Segall

Richard Tarnas

Kelly-Ann Allen

Evan Thompson

Read Montague

Michael Levin

Aristotle

Zak Stein

Nietzsche

Iain McGilchrist

Christopher Cherniak

Jerry Fodor

J.L. Schellenberg

Relevance Realization

Religio

Conformity theory

Duhem–Quine thesis,

Susan Wolf, Meaning in Life and Why It Matters

John Searle, The Rediscovery of the Mind

Catherine Pickstock, Aspects of Truth: A New Religious Metaphysics

Harold Brown, Rationality

James Filler, Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being: Relation as Ontological Ground

J. Jaeger, A. Riedl, A. Djedovic, J. Vervaeke, and D. Walsh, Naturalizing relevance realization: why agency and cognition are fundamentally not computational

Frank Martela and Michael F. Steger, Distinguishing coherence, purpose, and significance

Follow John Vervaeke

—

Thank you for watching!