The sticking point for human evolution is the merger of healing with philosophy.
Let’s flesh this out.
In 2022 there are new, emerging, and substantial amounts of people focused on healing and self-development, with modalities such as psychedelics and IFS therapy beginning to explode (relatively). MAPS is putting on the biggest psychedelic conference ever this June. The Body Keeps the Score, a comprehensive book on trauma from 2015, has been on the NYT best seller list for over 200 weeks. Gabor Mate has a new book about trauma out, and he finally made his first appearance on Joe Rogan.
This is encouraging.
Yet in all my experience meeting and listening to people in these circles, they are not very interested in philosophy (“the love of wisdom”). They’ve not integrated the value of Ayn Rand (the right to life and happiness), they don’t reason from first principles, they don’t question government or the school system, and they’re usually not at all fluent in economics.
They want the world to heal, which is beautiful. Yet they don’t look at fundamentals, such as the fact that taxation is not consent. Ironically, I believe they don’t question this because it’s too scary to look at the truth of their childhoods, when they first learned the concept of “authority” straight from their parents.
Logical, clear thinking doesn’t seem to be a priority.
Non-Violent Communication and IFS trainers tend to be “woke,” sacrificing honesty. MAPS founder Rick Doblin wants to create a new “spiritual humanity,” which is wonderful, yet he speaks at police conferences and never calls out the elephant in the room (the very existence of monopolistic policing is a manifestation of trauma itself).
On the other hand….
My experience interacting with clear-thinking libertarians, anarchists, and free market economists is that inner healing is less of a priority.
Yes, they might acknowledge that the school system is problematic (though not all – Walter Block once told me that the child’s relationship to authority in K-12 schools wasn’t a major issue). And psychedelic healing is something libertarians are on board with in principle, because they despise the war on drugs.
But self-growth mindset in their personal lives? Not very common.
A good example is Ayn Rand herself, who didn’t exactly process her childhood. But let me instead talk about Dave Smith, a comedian, free-market anarchist, and podcast host. He’s dialed in with philosophical clarity (except his pragmatic view on immigration…..), and knows economics as well as anyone on the planet.
But I don’t hear him actively speaking about IFS therapy or anything.
To be fair, he’s an advocate for peaceful parenting, and he has two kids whom I’m sure is treating quite tenderly and consciously. He’s aware of psychological health as key (he was influenced by the early Stefan Molyneux).
I just wouldn’t say he’s actively working on himself, or spreading that message to his audience.
Instead, he talks about politics all the time. While he refreshing speaks much truth on his show, he ultimately just seems to keep politics alive and cooking, by talking about it!
What’s the opportunity cost?
What if he invited people to take the “real red pill,” that the reason government exists is because of our own childhoods?
That would be merging healing with philosophy.
My point was displayed so clearly earlier this year, when both Smith and Gabor Mate appeared on Joe Rogan, within a couple weeks of each other.
Each named elephants in the room. Mate named trauma as the root problem of our toxic culture. Smith named government as the root of political issues.
They each had one big puzzle piece…..I just wanted them and their ideas to meet and fit together!
Then we’d be making some headway.
Anyway, I can’t control them….I’m not sitting on the sidelines just as a critic.
I can control my own creative mission and impact.
Which is why you’ll be hearing from me soon on a new parenting podcast I’ll be starting.
I’ll be bringing all the dots together.
Peace and cheers,
J
