55. Reconstructing Value (w/ Zak Stein)

Philosopher Zak Stein joins me to discuss the "the great post-postmodern project, the reconstruction of value itself," and get into the nuances of what his framework looks like as presented in his new co-authored book First Principles & First Values. What does it mean to say that value is both fundamental and relational? How does a metaphysics of value avoid premodern pitfalls (e.g., the myth of the given, a God's-eye view/view from nowhere, etc.)? What are the challenges posed by language when trying to track value across discontinuities in the complexity stack? Here we compare notes on our respective projects and try to clarify key points. 0:00 Introduction1:58 Summary Overview of First Principles & First Values7:35 The Project: A Post-Postmodern Reconstruction of Value12:44 Is Positing Value as Fundamental a Premodern Move?32:24 "Value": Avoiding Reification39:11 Languaging the Reconstruction: Difficulties and Diversity48:29 The Challenge and Importance of Modern Critique of Value52:39 "Intimacy" or "Complexity"? Seeking Normative Terminology without Anthropomorphizing1:03:07 Shifting the Paradigm: Translation or Equivocation?1:06:25 Panpsychist vs. Emergentist Framings1:10:26 Shifting Telos across Scales: E.g., Dissipative Structures1:17:56 Value and Anti-Value1:22:04 New God: Moving towards the Infinite Intimate1:27:21 Building the Cathedral/Temple: Living with Sacred Purpose Get full access to Brendan Graham Dempsey at brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com/subscribe