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

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Avsnitt(240)

OTD: Leaving Religion Intro

OTD: Leaving Religion Intro

David introduces the next series of the 18Forty Podcast: why people join and leave religion and what we can learn from their decisions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

27 Maj 202011min

Why 1840?

Why 1840?

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down for a special podcast with our host, David Bashevkin, to discuss the podcast’s namesake, the year 1840. Though humanity’s history is long and rich, it’s only recently that the world has begun to look like we’re used to. From the renaissance to the scientific and industrial revolutions, technology and information seem to be progressing at an exponential rate. Judaism, along with all tradition, had to contend with modernity as we now know it for the first time. Most of modern Jewry has been affected in some way or another by this modernization of its members. What historical significance does the year 1840 have? What challenges did it bring for Judaism and other traditions? How did Judaism respond to those challenges? And in the end, how does modern Judaism differ from its other historical iterations? Tune in to hear David share why the year 1840 holds such significance for him, and how he feels its effects in his life. For more, visit https://18forty.org/why-1840.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

5 Maj 202025min

Talmud Conclusion

Talmud Conclusion

It’s hard to make sense and order within the Talmud. But maybe that’s the point. Listen to some brief closing thoughts on the value of building meaning specifically when it is not apparent.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

21 Apr 20206min

Is Talmud the Jewish Constitution? A Conversation with Chaim Saiman

Is Talmud the Jewish Constitution? A Conversation with Chaim Saiman

In this episode, David discusses the mystifying qualities of the Talmud and how we find meaning in the nuance of Talmudic law with special guest Chaim Saiman, professor at Villanova Law School.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

18 Mars 20201h

Talmud as an Agent of Chaos: A Conversation with Ari Bergmann

Talmud as an Agent of Chaos: A Conversation with Ari Bergmann

Talmud as an Agent of Chaos: A Conversation with Ari Bergmann by 18FortyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

18 Mars 202027min

A Page is Worth A Thousand Worlds: A Conversation with Michelle Chesner

A Page is Worth A Thousand Worlds: A Conversation with Michelle Chesner

In this episode, David and special guest, Michelle Chesner, Columbia University’s Norman E. Alexander Librarian for Jewish Studies, discuss how the formatting of sacred Jewish texts has developed throughout Jewish history and impacted religious Judaism.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

18 Mars 202052min

Talmud Intro

Talmud Intro

Why start here? In a brief opening thought, David explains the role of Talmud in finding meaning amid chaos.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

17 Mars 202012min

Journey to 18Forty: A Conversation with Mitchell D. Eichen

Journey to 18Forty: A Conversation with Mitchell D. Eichen

Journey to 18Forty: A Conversation with Mitchell D. Eichen by 18FortyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

16 Mars 202052min

Populärt inom Religion & Spiritualitet

spokjakt-pa-riktigt-laxton-podden
rss-borgvattnets-hemligheter
rss-alternativ-historia
sektledare
rss-historiens-mysterier
sa-in-i-sjalen
spokhistorier
stapals
skrackstunden
rss-universums-hemligheter
rss-bajen-idag
rss-activation-podcast
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
mediumpodden-vivi-camilla
rysarstunden
rss-oscar-panizza-podcast
bathina-en-podcast
rss-fraga-stjarnorna
det-sista-mysteriet
rss-uppvaket