Episode Details

In this episode of Voices with Vervaeke, philosopher and cognitive scientist Mark Miller joins John Vervaeke and Rick Repetti for a fascinating discussion on the connections between philosophy, science, and contemplative practice. Mark provides insight into his work as a 'synthetic philosopher', integrating diverse fields like neuroscience and Buddhism to create theoretical frameworks for understanding the mind and contemplation. The conversation explores whether there can or should be a 'philosophy of meditation', and how science and philosophy might contribute to human flourishing and contemplative development. Mark shares rich examples of how computational models and cognitive science can elucidate contemplative skills and states, providing nuance to traditional teachings. He emphasizes the importance of balance between insight practices and compassion cultivation on the contemplative path.

Mark Miller, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, holds a senior research fellowship at Monash University's Center for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies in Australia, with affiliations at the University of Toronto and Hokkaido University in Japan. His work, which delves into the interplay between human thought, technology's impact on well-being, and human-computer interaction, is at the forefront of integrating cognitive neuroscience with philosophical inquiry.

Glossary of Terms

Predictive Processing: A cognitive science theory that suggests the brain continuously makes predictions about the environment based on past experiences.

Synthetic Philosophy: An interdisciplinary approach that integrates insights from various fields to develop comprehensive frameworks for understanding complex phenomena.

Contemplative Science: A field of study that investigates the effects of meditation and contemplative practices on the mind and well-being.

John Vervaeke:

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Rick Repetti:

Website: https://www.rickrepetti.com/

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Mark Miller:

The Contemplative Science Podcast: https://www.thecontemplativescientists.com/

Website: https://www.markdmiller.live/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaYjSup-Hp3V9P6MGt2zPuA

X: https://twitter.com/predictivelife

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