Bernardo Kastrup has a Ph.D. in computer engineering with specializations in artificial intelligence and reconfigurable computing. He has worked as a scientist in some of the world’s foremost research laboratories, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the “Casimir Effect” of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Bernardo has authored many scientific papers and philosophy books. His three most recent books are: More Than Allegory, Brief Peeks Beyond, and Why Materialism Is Baloney. He has also been an entrepreneur and founder of a successful high-tech start-up. Next to a managerial position in the high-tech industry, Bernardo maintains a philosophy blog, a video interview series, and continues to develop his ideas about the nature of reality. He has lived and worked in four different countries across continents, currently residing in the Netherlands.
Books:
- Why Materialism Is Baloney: How True Skeptics Know There Is No Death and Fathom Answers to life, the Universe, and Everything
- Meaning in Absurdity: What bizarre phenomena can tell us about the nature of reality
- Dreamed Up Reality: Diving into the Mind to Uncover the Astonishing Hidden Tale of Nature
- Rationalist Spirituality: An exploration of the meaning of life and existence informed by logic and science
- More Than Allegory: On Religious Myth, Truth And Belief
- Important article: The Physicalist Worldview as Neurotic Ego-Defense Mechanism
- Website: bernardokastrup.com
- Youtube Channel
First Batgap interview with Bernardo.
Interview recorded June 4, 2016.
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to the interview
- 00:04:45 – The Spectrum of Religious Myths
- 00:09:10 – The Mythical Bridge between Perception and Meaning
- 00:13:22 – The Misinterpretation of Vedanta and the Significance of Myths
- 00:17:31 – Creator Deity and the Dream of Existence
- 00:21:41 – Myths as Contemplation of Transcendent Truths
- 00:25:57 – The Beginner’s Mind and the Contemplative Atmosphere
- 00:30:22 – The Symbolism in Religious Myths
- 00:35:15 – The Richness of a Life Informed by Religious Myth
- 00:39:40 – Judging Reality and Symbolism
- 00:43:56 – Lucid Dreaming and the Exploration of Reality
- 00:48:09 – The Role of Myth in Science
- 00:52:23 – The Ultimate Scientific Instrument
- 00:56:34 – The Marriage of Science and Philosophy
- 01:00:50 – The Negative Influence of Religious Institutions
- 01:05:09 – The History of Intermediaries and the Need for Experience
- 01:09:33 – Belief in the Power of Science
- 01:14:12 – The Trouble with Science Interpretation
- 01:18:29 – Psychological Gain and the Search for Meaning
- 01:22:37 – The Games Scientists Play
- 01:26:42 – Surrender and collaboration between science and spirituality
- 01:31:03 – Deity Yoga in Tibetan Buddhism and its relation to Advaita Vedanta
- 01:35:00 – The Search for Meaning and the Play of Archetypes
- 01:38:25 – The Mystery and Magic of Life
- 01:41:44 – The Complementarity of Intellect and Realization
- 01:45:20 – The Hub and the Spokes
- 01:48:36 – Perspectives on the Nature of Reality
- 01:52:19 – The Qualities of Experience
- 01:55:33 – Overcoming Existential Angst
- 02:01:59 – Leaving them wanting more
- 02:02:38 – Website Features
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