Samuel Lebens: The Hard Problem of Prayer [Prayer & Humanity 1/5]
18Forty Podcast23 Mai 2023

Samuel Lebens: The Hard Problem of Prayer [Prayer & Humanity 1/5]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Samuel Lebens—a philosophy professor, rabbi, and Jewish educator—about the nature of consciousness.

At a time when artificial intelligence can make us question what it even is that makes humans unique, we look deeply into our ability to have personal experiences and turn them into new ideas. In this episode, we discuss with Sam:

  • Why do we each have a subjective consciousness?
  • What is the relationship between prayer and our lives?
  • What is the “Turing test,” and how does it relate to prayer?
Tune in to hear a conversation about how consciousness gives us the ability to transform words into prayer, to “sing a new song.”

Interview begins at 31:28.

Rabbi Dr. Samuel Lebens is an associate professor in the philosophy department at the University of Haifa, as well as a rabbi and Jewish educator. Samuel holds a PhD in philosophy from Birkbeck College (University of London), and his academic interests cover the philosophy of religion, metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. Samuel teaches at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education and the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies. Samuel’s most recent book, of several, is A Guide for the Jewish Undecided, groundbreaking work has an engaging style that makes it accessible to all readers, while not losing the clarity and rigor characteristic of analytic philosophy. Samuel’s first book was a study of Bertrand Russell’s dynamic theories about the nature of meaning. Samuel previously joined us to talk about rationality and mysticism.

References:

Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter

Galileo's Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness by Philip Goff

Perpetual Prophecy: An Intellectual Tribute to Reb Zadok Ha-Kohen of Lublin on His 110th Yahrzeit” by David Bashevkin

Being John Malkovich

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Anomalisa

Netivot Olam by the Maharal of Prague

Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris

Rupture and Reconstruction: The Transformation of Contemporary Orthodoxy by Haym Soloveitchik

God and his imaginary friends: a Hassidic metaphysics” by Samuel Lebens

2001: A Space Odyssey

A Conversation With Bing’s Chatbot Left Me Deeply Unsettled” by Kevin Roose

The Most Human Human: What Talking with Computers Teaches Us About What It Means to Be Alive by Brian Christian

Shemot Rabbah

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Episoder(235)

Joshua Berman: What Should We Believe?

Joshua Berman: What Should We Believe?

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Biblical Criticism Intro

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In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Leah Forster, an ex-Hasidic comedian to talk about how her journey has affected her comedy. Leah found comedy at a young age and pioneered comedy by women for women in the ultra-Orthodox world. She realized that the ultra-Orthodox life she grew up with caused a deep conflict within herself and she left to remain true to her authentic self. She was later at the center of a controversy where two bookings at kosher restaurants were cancelled, with their kashrus organizations threatening to pull their certifications because she was lesbian. How has Leah kept her comedy positive and free of bitterness and cynicism? How has she stayed positive in her personal life when dealing with these hardships? What lessons has she learned from them? And does she see herself as a role model to religious people who are realizing that they don’t fit within their community? Tune in as Leah reflects on her journey in between demonstrations of her many comedic personas.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

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Gary Gulman: This Impossible Life

Gary Gulman: This Impossible Life

This episode is sponsored by Louis and Debby FlancbaumIn this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Gary Gulman, a world-famous comedian with comedy specials on Netflix and HBO, to talk about the relationship between comedy and the art of living.Gary grew up with a close relationship to God and was deeply depressed as a child. He thought he would be happy if he mastered something, so he resolved to become a good basketball player, then a successful accountant. But a change in perspective led him to try comedy, and he has since felt much more fulfilled. How does one construct meaning in their life? Does comedy help construct meaning or have any other value? Can one feel fulfilled if they feel average, or does one have to excel to be happy? And how does Gary’s Jewish identity play into his life philosophy? Tune in to hear Gary reflect on his comedic journey and the role it has played in finding meaning in his life.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

5 Jul 202056min

Comedy Intro

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David explains how comedy and humor can uncover a mystical oneness that allows us to construct meaning and community from mundane occurrences.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

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