Inventing God: Psychology of Belief and the Rise of Secular Spirituality

The Michael Shermer Show

Michael Shermer

Dialogue, Science, Reason, Michaelshermer, Natural Sciences, Skeptic

4.4 • 921 Ratings

🗓️ 19 November 2024

⏱️ 81 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Michael Shermer interviews Jon Mills, a psychoanalyst and philosopher, on a variety of topics, including the evolution of psychoanalysis, the dynamics of therapeutic relationships, and the psychological roots of aggression and trauma. Mills explains Freud’s lasting influence, the moral implications of aggression, and the role violence plays in society. The conversation also explores how trauma affects individuals and families across generations and the difficulty of understanding human behavior when faced with global challenges.

The discussion extends to broader issues such as individuality, the struggles faced by modern youth, and the evolution of belief in God. Shermer and Mills discuss how technology impacts mental health and the pursuit of spirituality without relying on traditional religion.

Jon Mills, PsyD, PhD, ABPP, is a philosopher, psychoanalyst, and clinical psychologist. His two latest books are Inventing God: Psychology of Belief and the Rise of Secular Spirituality, and End of the World: Civilization and its Fate.

Transcript

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0:00.0	We've all seen the headlines in the news of how somebody lost their life in an act of cold-blooded murder,
0:04.7	and it grabs your attention, but have you ever stopped to think about the life of the person at the center of the news story?
0:11.1	These victims were way more than a salacious headline.
0:14.3	I'm Eric Carter-Londine, and my podcast, The Murder in My Family,
0:18.8	dives into some of those stories to help listeners get to know the person who was lost
0:22.8	and how their death affected those closest to them.
0:26.2	Listen to the murder of my family
0:27.4	everywhere you listen to podcasts.
0:37.2	You're listening to The Michael Shermer Show.
0:57.4	Two latest books that we're going to talk about today.
0:58.9	Here's the first one.
1:05.6	Inventing God, psychology of belief and the rise of secular spirituality.
1:08.3	Boy, I'm having a hard time reading my own writing here today.
1:09.7	He can see why I had them on for that.
1:14.5	But his other new book that just came out is called End of the World, Civilization and It's Fate.
1:15.2	It seems like if you just watch the news, that's a rather ominous title because it often
1:20.8	feels like it's the end of the world.
1:22.1	John, how you doing?
1:22.8	Nice to see you.
1:23.7	Oh, it's nice to see you.
1:25.3	And thanks so much for having me on your show. I've been a big fan of you for many years.
1:31.2	Oh, you're the one. Thank you. Where are you? You're in Ontario, Canada?
	...

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