Chasing Reality

Ryan Bissett

5.0 (2)
SCIENCE

After a PhD in molecular biology & five years in biotech I woke up one day and thought, I need an adventure! So I bought a campervan, checked out some organic farms with the wonderful WWOOF scheme, and took some time to train in Bhakti Yoga. Please join me on this adventure as I interview thinkers from different fields of enquiry about fundamental questions of consciousness and reality.

13/06/2020

Sahanika Ratnayake - The Problem of Mindfulness

Sahanika Ratnayake's Aeon article on the problem of mindfulness struck me as a fascinating read. Join us as we chat about mindfulness, psychotherapy, the self, Buddhism, and all sorts!

41 min
07/06/2020

David Egan - Suffering & Flourishing

Professor David Egan studied both analytic and continental philosophy, with interests in aesthetics, ethics, the history of philosophy, and, increasingly, Buddhist philosophy. This diverse range of interests is unified by an interest in how we find and make meaning in our lives, and the image of ourselves that becomes manifest in this meaning-making activity. I’m especially interested in the moments where that self-image gets punctured and what those moments teach us about the possibility of human flourishing. For more information, check out David's: Website Book Aeon profile

51 min
18/11/2019

Michael Ruse - A Meaning to Life

Professor Michael Ruse is a British-born philosopher of science who specialises in the philosophy of biology and works on the relationship between science and religion, the creation–evolution controversy, and the demarcation problem within science. Ruse currently teaches at Florida State University. He has written over 50 books, his most recent being 'A meaning to life.' Join me for a fascinating discussion with Michael on topics ranging from monism to biology to free will and getting older.

53 min
21/10/2019

David Quammen - The Tangled Tree of Life

In this episode, renowned science writer David Quammen will be taking us on a whistle-stop tour of the history of molecular biology, some of the key players, as well as three very central questions: 1. Is the tree of life...a tree? 2. What is an organism 3. What is a species. Prepare yourself for some fascinating surprises!

1h 5m
07/10/2019

Brenda Dunne - Consciousness!

Have you ever wondered, 'what is the empirical evidence for non-brain based consciousness, and its effects on the world?' If so, you are in for a treat, as I chat with Brenda Dunne about her elaborate experience in the front line of consciousness research. Laboratory manager at the Princeton Engineering Anomolies Research (PEAR) Institute for 28 years, the lab collected a huge body of data, indicating beyond doubt that consciousness is something we can indeed study, and which deserves special recognition. Brenda has authored and co-authored many books, and continues today to be involved in many forums. Enjoy the show!

55 min
02/09/2019

Sharon Hewitt Rawlette - Coincidences!

I have been waiting for a long time to come across a book like this - The Source & Significance of Coincidences. As you read it, you'll notice that Sharon Rawlette Hewitt has left no stone uncovered in her research into coincidences. I feel like in this initial conversation we only just got the ball rolling...I've so many more questions!

1h 14m
17/08/2019

Perry Marshall & Denis Noble - Evolution 2.0

I was recently counting my blessings when Denis Noble, author of 'Dance to the Tune of Life: Biological Relativity,' agreed for me to interview him, because I am very interested in his perspective on physiology. To my surprise, he put me in touch with Perry Marshall, author of 'Evolution 2.0,' and they both agreed to talk with me about the ongoing excitement around questions of information and purpose that are driving our understanding of evolution theory to a new level. Not one to miss!

1h 2m
01/08/2019

Garland Allen - Mechanistic & Holistic Biology

Professor Garland (Gar) Allen is a highly distinguished historian of biology; indeed he was there for the inception of the very field itself within the mid-20th Century! I'm particularly interested in the different ways of approaching the idea of 'life,' and Gar helps me to understand some of the context in which ideas have been at play over the years. We talk about the mechanistic views, as well as more holistic and vitalistic accounts that have been debated through the history of biology. I get the feeling that we only scratched the surface, however this will be a fantastic introduction for anyone interested in the big picture of biological thought. For more information, check out his very intuitive and comprehensive 2017 book, Scientific Process and Social Issues in Biology Education.

34 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

After a PhD in molecular biology & five years in biotech I woke up one day and thought, I need an adventure! So I bought a campervan, checked out some organic farms with the wonderful WWOOF scheme, and took some time to train in Bhakti Yoga. Please join me on this adventure as I interview thinkers from different fields of enquiry about fundamental questions of consciousness and reality.

Creator

Ryan Bissett
Years Active

2019 - 2020
Episodes

13
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Ryan Bissett
Show Website

Chasing Reality