Rational Realm

In part two of this five part series, Caroline Winzenried will take a deeper dive into the complexity of navigating relationships and identity after leaving religion. Strained or severed ties with loved ones and communities can be one of the most challenging aspects of leaving, and for some people, the risk of rejection is so strong that they feel they need to "stay in the closet". But it isn’t just relationships with others that are affected; leaving religion also has profound impacts on identity. In this podcast, Caroline will discuss the profound impact of religious trauma on interpersonal relationships and the relationship with the self.Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

A clear picture has begun to emerge in the field of mental health of the toll that certain harmful, high-control religious practices can take. In 2011, Dr. Marlene Winell coined the term "Religious Trauma Syndrome" to give a name to the unique trauma that many former and current religious adherents face from their experiences. In this podcast, Caroline Winzenried begins to shine a light on the hidden toll of religious trauma that can last even years after leaving a religion.Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

Theism is the position that an immensely powerful immaterial mind created and governs the universe. But what is an immaterial mind? In this talk, James Fodor considers this question in the light of cognitive science, considering the various aspects and functions that make up a mind. He argues that it is very difficult to reconcile most of what is currently known about minds with the idea that they can exist without a material substrate, especially when combined with the various traits that theists claim of the divine mind. James therefore suggests that the notion of an all-powerful and all-knowing immaterial mind may be conceptually incoherent.Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

In this podcast, Joe Bullock helps us explore how Stoic philosophy can guide us toward a more compassionate and interconnected world. He focuses on Stoic Cosmopolitanism and the concept of Stoic role ethics to explore how ancient wisdom addresses modern challenges. Joe will also cover how our individual actions relate to the collective good and discuss the historical roots of Cosmopolitanism and where it may be headed in the future.Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

Sam Harris' little book on Free Will was published in 2012, gaining a receptive response from scientifically-minded followers. In this first part of a two part series, Allan will put Harris' two key arguments against the human capacity for free will under the microscope. Harris' first point is that we could not have behaved differently than we in fact did. His second appeals to his introspecting that we are not the conscious source of our choices and actions. Allan’s full critique, 'Sam Harris, Free Will and Moral Responsibility', is at https://www.rationalrealm.com/philosophy/metaphysics/sam-harris-free-will-morality.html His shorter book review of Harris' book is at https://www.rationalrealm.com/philosophy/reviews/sam-harris-free-will.html Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

In this three-part series of talks, professional counsellor, Caroline Winzenried, explores the intricate ties between religious teachings and emotion. In this third and final presentation, Caroline takes us on a journey of healing from spiritual bypassing and making space for our emotions. She shows us how to respond—rather than react—to our emotions by harnessing the power of curiosity, listening to the information our emotions provide with compassion, and putting that information into context. Bio: Caroline Winzenried is a counsellor in Boronia, Victoria, Australia. She works from an existential-humanistic lens with individuals across the lifespan, from adolescent to older adults, on issues including anxiety, depression and interpersonal relationships. Her areas of special interest include working with religious trauma and grief and loss. Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

In this three-part series of talks, professional counsellor, Caroline Winzenried, takes us on an exploration of the intricate ties between religious teachings and emotion. In this second presentation, Caroline explores how spiritual ideas and practices are sometimes used to avoid or suppress emotions and the damage this can cause. Bio: Caroline Winzenried is a counsellor in Boronia, Victoria, Australia. She works from an existential-humanistic lens with individuals across the lifespan, from adolescent to older adults, on issues including anxiety, depression and interpersonal relationships. Her areas of special interest include working with religious trauma and grief and loss. Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

In this three-part series of talks, professional counsellor, Caroline Winzenried, takes us on an exploration of the intricate ties between religious teachings and emotion. In this first presentation, Caroline examine how religious teachings can shape our emotional understanding by categorising emotions as "good" or "bad" creating implicit rules for how we should listen to, ignore, or even disown them. Bio: Caroline Winzenried is a counsellor in Boronia, Victoria, Australia. She works from an existential-humanistic lens with individuals across the lifespan, from adolescent to older adults, on issues including anxiety, depression and interpersonal relationships. Her areas of special interest include working with religious trauma and grief and loss. Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

Stoicism has played a major role in shaping ethical considerations for over two millennia, profoundly influencing religious doctrines and renowned philosophers. Despite its frequent misinterpretations and critiques, Stoicism's fundamental principles can guide us to leading a purposeful life. At the heart of Stoic philosophy lies the conviction that our well-being and growth stem from living in accordance with nature and honing our logical skills regardless of our circumstances. In this talk, Joseph Bullock walks us through how pursuing virtue can contribute to human fulfillment and highlights some of the key theories that form the foundation of Stoic practices. Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.

Progress toward the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has been accelerating in recent times. While much is contested about if and when AGI will be achieved, and even about what it is, its consequences for humanity, should AGI be realised, are profound. Among these consequences are deep questions about intelligence, consciousness, morality, and what it means to be human. In this session, Dr. Tony Carden shares his perspectives on some of the basic premises and history of AGI, progress toward it, and some of the foreseeable risks and benefits it is likely to bring. His address sets the scene for an interactive exploration with participants of the aforementioned philosophical implications of AGI. Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com for the background music.