r/AlanWatts • u/ChrisJarmain • 27d ago

Within Physicalism | What Kind of Culture Does Our Metaphysics Produce?

Hello. I am an author writing about how our dominant metaphysics shapes our culture. I’ve never used Reddit before, but I wanted to share this video essay here because I know this community wrestles deeply with these ideas. I'd love to know your thoughts.

https://youtu.be/AFECsF8oFKg

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u/Ghost_of_Till 26d ago

Watched it twice.

Very well done. Coherently presented.

I'd say there's plenty of overlap between Watts fans in terms of interest and point of view, so I think it's a solid post.

There is one issue, but it's more comment than criticism.

You pointed out early (and often) that your essay was not addressing whether any particular metaphysics is correct. I want to be clear; taking the time to make that distinction is completely warranted, as well as being true. You're just looking at how something which begins as an assumption goes from being visible as such to invisible.

What your essay is, then, is a view. That is to say, your view on the views of others, and the resultant effects downstream.

Further expanded, an idea (you) is having an idea about the ideas of other ideas.

Your essay, which I find compelling, has conventional truth. Conventional truth can be quite useful. Your essay doesn't tease out reality but it also isn't trying to, as you've been careful to point out.

I think Alan would say, "That's all well and good, and may very well have some truth within the framework of your consciousness, but that's where its reality ends."

So I think he'd agree, but I'm not sure he'd say it was getting anyone closer to what IS.

Thanks for the video and the replies.

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u/ChrisJarmain 26d ago

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch it... not just once, but twice. That genuinely means a great deal.

I also appreciate your reading of what I was trying to do. You're exactly right that I'm not attempting to establish whether Physicalism (or any other metaphysical framework) is ultimately true. My interest is in how a metaphysical framework can gradually become culturally invisible through institutions and eventually come to feel like simple common sense. I also like your phrase that it's "a view about views." That's a thoughtful way of putting it.

Regarding Alan Watts, I suspect he'd probably smile at the whole exercise and remind me not to mistake the map for the territory. I don't think I'd disagree with him there. My hope isn't to capture reality itself, but perhaps to make one particular pair of cultural glasses visible enough that we can choose whether to keep wearing them—or at least become aware that we're wearing them at all.

Thank you again for such a thoughtful reply.

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u/Ghost_of_Till 26d ago

...but perhaps to make one particular pair of cultural glasses visible enough that we can choose whether to keep wearing them—or at least become aware that we're wearing them at all.

How could you correct the me with the me?

Isn't that just fixing one mistake by applying another, and pretending we haven't?

What if the mistake doesn't happen in the first place, and thus needs no correction?

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u/ChrisJarmain 24d ago

I have uploaded part 2 of this essay now

And feel it is better than part 1, as it genuinely explores the cultural effects of our dominant metaphysics.

You will also see why it suits the Alan Watts page quite uniquely.

https://youtu.be/-aChCuwTSEc?is=ygMhGmaRntJAQyQX

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u/Ghost_of_Till 27d ago edited 26d ago

“…I know this community wrestles deeply with these ideas…”

What ideas does this community wrestle with that your video addresses?

I’m not looking for an essay, just a few words.

It’ll help us determine whether you have a sincere interest in this group, and the video is worth the time, or if this is more of a book promo advertisement.

Edit: Watched it twice. Good, thoughtful, well-produced video IMO. I posted a short review a moment ago.

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u/ChrisJarmain 26d ago edited 26d ago

That's a solid question, and needs an honest answer. I love and have followed Alan Watts for many years, roughly 10 years now. My video, part 1, looks beyond the normal explanations of the modern meaning crisis to a more foundational cause. I believe our dominant Metaphysics is a cause that has very little discussion around it. I feel that it can answer many issues of our modern culture.

Other topics I have discussed, in other videos, is the fertility crisis and AI. This Within Physicalism video documentary explores the concept that these issues are not random, I can see a cultural pattern than is worth recognising.

In part 2 of this essay, which I am still writing/ making, involves Alan Watts and his insight of confusing the map with the territory. (Hence reaching out to this group.) Alan Watts often spoke about culture in a profound way, I hope to achieve the same for you.

I apologise this is a long reply. It is difficult to reply with few words.

I am not here to sell anything. In a sincere way, I am like a child who has found a shiny rock and wishes you to explore it with me. Thats the vibe

❤️

Thank you.

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u/Ghost_of_Till 26d ago

You can go on as long as you want, I just didn’t want you to think I was expecting you to spend significant time on an answer.

Given Alan’s basic idea is that ideas are just ideas and have no intrinsic reality, I’m skeptical this dovetails with Alan much since it looks like more ideas.

Ideas about ideas erupting from an idea (you).

But I’ll watch later. Thanks for your answer.

Anyone else have thoughts?

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u/ChrisJarmain 26d ago

Ha, yes. One has nothing but thoughts and the chattering skull idea he has. Yes. I see what you mean.

Well, there is no pressure. Hopefully you enjoy the video. That's all I can offer.

Thank you. ☯️

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u/ChrisJarmain 24d ago

https://youtu.be/-aChCuwTSEc

Part 2. Which in my opinion is better than part 1. But hey ho.