What if the deepest truth of reality lies not in substances or isolated things, but in the pure relationality that connects everything?
John Vervaeke is joined by renowned scholar Douglas Hedley to explore James Filler's groundbreaking work "Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being." John and Douglas examine the profound implications of viewing ultimate reality as fundamentally relational rather than substantial, uncovering significant convergences between Heidegger's later thought and the ancient Neoplatonic tradition. The dialogue goes into how Neoplatonic metaphysics offers potent solutions to the philosophical dilemmas posed by modernity and postmodernity, and why the notion of strong transcendence is essential yet challenging in contemporary thought. Douglas enriches the discourse with reflections on imagination, symbolism, and theological significance within the Neoplatonic heritage.
Douglas Hedley is Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge University. He was educated at Keble College, Oxford and at the University of Munich, and has previously taught at Nottingham University. He is the Director of the Cambridge Centre for the Study of Platonism and co-chair of the Platonism and Neoplatonism section of the American Academy of Religion. Dr Hedley’s work centers on concepts of imagination, violence, and the sublime, and he has published widely, from early modern philosophy—particularly the Cambridge Platonists—to Coleridge. He is the Principal Investigator for the AHRC grant on The Cambridge Platonists at the Origins of Enlightenment: Texts, Debates, and Reception (1650-1730), and is co-editor of the Series Studies in Philosophical Theology.
If you find yourself torn between rationality and spirituality, science and mysticism, facts and belief; The Lectern's inaugural 8-week course will offer you a new lens through which to reflect on these dilemmas.
Click here to enroll: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/einstein-and-spinoza-s-god1
—-
Notes:
0:00 Introduction to the Lectern
01:30 Douglas Headley's Background and Interests
03:30 Overview of James Filler's Argument
05:30 Critique of Substance Ontology
9:00 Neoplatonism and the Trinity
10:30 Heidegger's Misreading of Plato
16:30 Heidegger's Theological Influences
26:00 Modernity, Postmodernity, and Transcendence
34:30 Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Neoplatonism
36:15 Pushback on the Trinity Concept
40:00 Greek and Russian Orthodox Traditions
43:00 Western Theology and Neoplatonism
49:30 Dialogical Model of the Self
55:00 Christian Neoplatonism and Love
59:30 Embodiment and Transcendence
01:04:30 Final Thoughts and Parting Words
—--
Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
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. https://vervaekefoundation.org/
Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. https://awakentomeaning.com/
John Vervaeke:
https://johnvervaeke.com/
https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john
https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Resources Mentioned:
Lectern Dialogues: Philosophical Connections: Relational Ontology and the Modern Crisis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx6C3neSD78&t=180s
Ideas, People, and Works Mentioned in this Episode
Substance Ontology vs. Relational Ontology
Heidegger’s Relationship to Neoplatonism
James Filler's Philosophical Contribution
The Trinity as Relational Symbolism
Mysticism and Theology
Embodiment and the Contemporary Crisis of Meaning
James Filler
Plotinus
Iamblichus
St. Augustine
Marius Victorinus
Jonathan Pageau
"The Iconic Imagination" by Douglas Hedley
"Participation in the Divine"
"Process and Reality" by Alfred North Whitehead
"Symposium" by Plato