Provisional Aspirations with T. W. Moore

Where Does Consciousness Come From?

Thomas W. Moore — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:13:47 GMT

Where does consciousness come from? This question is understandable in the religious (or post-religious) thinker who is accustomed to connecting psychic content with an outside source, like a higher power. That is to say, it’s a bit of a flawed question to begin with; one that likely comes from being immersed in a society that still holds on to some religious notions. It’s hard not to concede that the religious concept of the soul (the god-given ghost-like quality that inhabits the body) did not lead to concepts such as personality and self that have been enshrined again, even in the absence of religion, in the scientific domain. After all, why must our hopes, dreams, passions, and spiritual experiences have any grander meaning beyond what they objectively are, the side effects of electrical stimulation pulsing through the lump of fat in our skulls?

This episode discusses one neurophilosopher's speculations on the hard problem of human consciousness. George Northoff's book Neuro-philosophy and the Healthy Mind discusses insights about the nature of consciousness, mental disorder, and the self that can be learned from images of the brains of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and those in vegetative states.

In this episode, learn about:

Neuroscientific theories about the nature of consciousness

How the brain creates the experience of self

A neurophilosophical approach to mental disorder

References cited in this episode:

Northoff, G. (2016). Neuro-philosophy and the healthy mind: Learning from the unwell brain. WW Norton & Company.

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Faith After Religion - A Lifespan Development Approach

Thomas W. Moore — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:16:13 GMT

What is faith? What is faith from a psychological perspective? It can be easy for the secular thinker to reject faith as only for religious people. But perspectives from evolutionary psychology and anthropology challenge us to think about religion and spirituality as human experiences that manifest themselves in every society across the millennia.

What are the psychological underpinnings of faith? How does faith change across the lifespan? And what does it look like in the secular thinker?

Episode 8 of Provisional Aspirations focuses on the work of James Fowler a lifespan development psychologist and Methodist minister. Learn about Fowler's approach to the psychology of faith (from his 1981 book Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development & the Quest for Meaning) and how it changes across the lifespan.

Listen as T.W. Moore reflects on how his spiritual perspectives have changed after leaving a high-demand religious group (HDGR) and how faith might manifest itself in the non-religious thinker.

In this episode, learn about:

A lifespan development perspective of faith (6:50)

How faith might manifest in the secular worldview (8:47)

James Fowler's 7 stages of faith (12:50)

References cited in this episode:

Fowler, J. W. (1981). Stages of Faith. New York: Harper & Row.

Hannah Arendt & The Limitations of Truth

Thomas W. Moore — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:25:06 GMT

Political and social discourse is a quagmire of facts, truths, opinions, and lies. How does each of these concepts function in our minds and the minds of those who speak them? This episode focuses on a collection of two small philosophical treatises by the philosopher Hannah Arendt released in a volume called On Lying And Politics. The book includes two works by Arendt, one published in 1954 called Truth and Politics and one published in 1971, in reaction to the leak of the Pentagon papers, called Lying in Politics. Arendt’s discussion of how facts, truths, lies, and opinions play out in the political and social sphere raises the political curtain and shines a spotlight on the limitations of truth-telling.

Listen as Geoffrey Wallis (coming back as T.W. Moore after a year of silence as a fully exited ex-Jehovah's Witness) discusses a new direction for Provisional Aspirations and how Arendt's philosophical stance on the relative powers of facts, truths, lies, and opinions can moderate an individual in their quest for truth.

In this episode, learn about:

The controversy surrounding Arendt and her writings (1:10)

How facts, truths, lies, and opinions play out in the sociopolitical landscape (4:58)

Why lies are essential in politics (12:27)

References cited in this episode:

Arendt, H. (2022). On Lying and Politics.

Defining Spiritual Abuse with Kayla Felten

Thomas W. Moore — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:23:53 GMT

This episode of Provisional Aspirations includes a conversation with MSW, LICSW Kayla Felten of Reclamation Collective. Kayla has been an advocate for religious trauma and spiritual abuse survivors throughout her career, which has brought her to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) work as an additional focus to support those in the process of reclaiming inner peace, relational harmony, autonomy, pleasure, and identity.

Listen to learn how spiritual abuse manifests in religious organizations, secular groups, and even everyday relationships. Also, learn about how to be aware of the potential for abuse in therapeutic relationships and how psychedelics can be used in recovery from spiritual abuse.

References mentioned in this episode:

Reclamation Collective

Institute for Integrative Therapies

(Episode 6 is a collaboration with igotout.org. Igotout is a platform and hashtag movement designed to support former members of high control groups. Visit igotout.org to share your story and connect with other survivors.)

Sigmund Freud's Psychology of Religion

Thomas W. Moore — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 15:12:18 GMT

What are the connections between compulsion and religiosity? In his 1913 book Totem & Taboo, the father of analytical psychology, Sigmund Freud, discusses the use of religious totem and taboo prohibitions in ancient cultures and how they relate to religious cognition in modern life.

In this episode, learn why Freud is a significant character in the study of the psychology of western religion. Sigmund Freud was very interested in how the human mind protects itself from violating religious and cultural taboos and how an imbalance in religious thought can contribute to psychological distress.

Listen as Geoff discusses two concepts from Freud's work that have application for individuals deconstructing religious worldviews: 1) the ambivalence of emotion and 2) the omnipotence of thought. Also, learn about the American Psychological Association's (APA) definition of scrupulosity, a form of obsessive-compulsive thought that centers around religious cognition.

In this episode, learn about:

The significance of Freud's theory to the psychology of religion (1:53)

The ambivalence of emotion (7:34)

The omnipotence of thought (13:53)

Religious scrupulosity (16:32)

References cited in this episode:

Freud, S. (1938) Totem and taboo: Resemblances between the psychic lives of savages and neurotics. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books.

Wallis, G. (2021) A voice from inside: notes on religious trauma in a captive organization. https://wallisbooks.com

Making Meaning with Logotherapy

Thomas W. Moore — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 19:07:51 GMT

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and philosopher who survived human suffering at its worst in a Nazi concentration camp. Following his release, he developed a psychotherapeutic modality that he called Logotherapy.

Logotherapy recognizes the human need to create meaning in life, particularly in the face of challenging circumstances. Listen as Geoff compares the therapeutic meaning-making of logotherapy to the life meaning provided by many closed religious groups.

Learn about how Frankl's logotherapy is used in the therapy room how it can be integrated with religious, spiritual, and secular world views.

This episode also contains a brief review of the book Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Read Geoff's article about group logotherapy to treat depression in elderly men: Group Logotherapy - Improving Mental Wellness in Nursing Homes.

In this episode learn about:

Viktor Frankl's experiences in Nazi concentration camp (3:15)

The definition of logotherapy (7:53)

A discussion of logotherapy from the Buddhist perspective (12:46)

Resources mention in this episode:

Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1984. Print. Turabian (6th ed.).

The Neuroscience of Religious Extremism

Thomas W. Moore — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

This episode is a review of the book Neurotheology: How Science Can Enlighten Us About Spirituality by neuroscientist and professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Andrew Newberg.

In this episode, learn about the psychological profile of religious extremists and how the literal interpretation of religious texts can lead to rigid worldviews, fear of outsiders, and even violence.

Geoff provides highlights from Newberg's book including the psychological and neuroscientific perspectives on religious extremism. Listen to learn about the emotional and cognitive indicators of extremism and the brain areas that contribute to this psychosocial phenomenon.

In this episode learn about:

The "happy prison of the brain" (3:05)

Psychological characteristics of religious extremism (4:50)

The neuroscience of religious extremist (12:15)

Geoff's experience with his own extremist psychology (18:49)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Newberg, A. (2018). Neurotheology: How science can enlighten us about spirituality. Columbia University Press.

Wallis, G. (2021) A Voice from Inside: Notes on religious trauma in a captive organization. wallisbooks.com

If you liked this episode, please like and subscribe. Also, for more content, follow Geoffrey Wallis on Instagram, Twitter and at wallisbooks.com.

Thomas Szasz & The Clinical Implications of Toxic Theology

Thomas W. Moore — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

In this episode, learn some of the key theories from the controversial Thomas Szasz. Szasz has been blamed for an anti-psychiatry movement that coincided with the counterculture of the 1960s. However, some of Szasz's insights about the etiology of psychological distress are meaningful even in today's era of greater awareness to mental health issues.

Listen as Geoff discusses Szasz's commentary on the connection between Christian theology and clinical mental health. Szasz identifies rhetoric from the New Testament that promotes a lack of assertiveness; a quality that can contribute to negative mental health outcomes.

In this episode learn about:

Szasz's most controversial theories regarding mental illness (3:08)

How Szasz connects Judeo-Christian ethic to psychological suffering (7:13)

Szasz criticism of the Sermon on the Mount (12:55)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Powers, R. (2017) No One Cares About Crazy People: The Chaos and Heartbreak of Mental Health in America. New York. Hachette Books.

Szasz, T (1961) The Myth of Mental Illness: Foundations of a Theory of Personal Conduct. New York. Harper & Row

If you liked this episode, please like and subscribe. Also, for more content, follow Geoffrey Wallis on Instagram, Twitter and at wallisbooks.com.

The Congruence of Carl R. Rogers

Thomas W. Moore — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

This episode explores the fundamentals of Client-Centered Psychotherapy developed by Carl R. Rogers. Geoff discusses the strengths of this therapeutic approach and its connection to existentialism and humanism. One of the elements of Rogerian therapy (in addition to empathy and universal positive regard) is congruence. Congruence refers to harmony between an individual's physiological experience, conscious awareness, and behavior. Listen as Wallis talks about the practical application of Rogerian congruence, contrasting it with modeling thought and behavior after a spiritual figure.

In this episode learn about:

The challenges of "being oneself" after involvement in collectivist movements: (2:45)

The three elements of Client-Centered Psychotherapy: (8:10)

The definition of congruence: (12:58)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

On Becoming a Person: A Therapists View of Psychotherapy by Carl R. Rogers

If you liked this episode, please like and subscribe. Also, for more content, follow Geoffrey Wallis on Instagram, Twitter and wallisbooks.com.

Trailer: Searches in the Realm of Aspiration

Thomas W. Moore — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:06:59 GMT

In this introduction to Provisional Aspirations, learn about philosopher Robert H. Kane's concept of "searches in the realm of aspiration" and how it inspired Geoffrey Wallis to embark on the academic quest that will be chronicled through this podcast.

Wallis discusses Kane's views on postmodernism and how it impacted his perspective in the years following religious trauma in a closed religious group. Find out about the human tendency to get caught up in finite worldviews at the expense of broader philosophical understanding.

Provisional Aspirations is Wallis' cautious acceptance of Kane's proposition to take up a search in the realm of aspiration and will discuss the intersection of the psychology of religion, philosophy, the neuroscience of spirituality, and counseling psychology.

In this episode learn about:

Robert Hillary Kane's "searches in the realm of aspiration" (2:48)

The purpose of Provisional Aspirations (6:16)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quest for Meaning: Values, Ethics & the Modern Experience (1999) Robert H. Kane. The Great Courses.

If you liked this episode, please like and subscribe. Also, for more content, follow Geoffrey Wallis on Instagram, Twitter and wallisbooks.com.