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223. The Life Wisdom Project | From Ritual to Reason: A Journey from Plato to Levinas | Special Guest: Dr. Michael Poliakoff
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How do rituals, traditions, and philosophical reasoning shape our understanding of the divine and the human experience?
In this episode of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, Dr. Jerry L. Martin and Dr. Michael Poliakoff explore the evolution of thought and tradition from ancient Jewish practices and Egyptian influences to the philosophical insights of Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, and Emmanuel Levinas.
The conversation examines how humanity has sought wisdom across cultures and eras—from the Torah’s laws to Aristotelian virtue, Confucian ethics, and Levinas’ concept of “the other.”
How do ritual and habit shape moral understanding? And what happens when tradition gives way to reason?
Key Themes in This Episode:
- Ritual and Ethical Evolution – From Jewish law and Confucian rites to Aristotle’s philosophy of virtue
- Jonah and Nineveh: God’s Call Beyond Borders – What it means to be “chosen” and how divine purpose extends beyond any single tradition
- Levinas and the Ethics of the Other – How encountering another person transforms our understanding of self and morality
- The Power of Tradition in Daily Life – From religious rituals to simple habits, how they shape human interaction and spirituality
- Breaking Down Borders: Ancient Thought and Modern Philosophy – How wisdom from across cultures connects in the search for meaning
This episode presents a rare exploration of how ritual and reason interact—not just in religious practice, but in the very fabric of human thought. Whether you're interested in philosophy, history, or spirituality, this discussion offers insights that transcend time and tradition.
Other Series:
The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:
- From God To Jerry To You- a brand-new series calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.
- Two Philosophers Wrestle With God- sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.
- What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series episodes.
- What's On Your Mind- What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying
Resources:
Stay Connected
- Subscribe to the podcast for free, and explore the book God and Autobiography as Told to a Philosopher by Jerry L. Martin, available on amazon and at godanautobiography.com.
- Share your thoughts or questions at [email protected]—we’d love to hear your story of God!
- 📖 Get the book
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Chapters
1. Introducing God: An Autobiography, The Podcast (00:00:00)
2. Introduction To The Life Wisdom Project (00:01:22)
3. Confucius & Aristotle: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life (00:03:22)
4. The Ethics of the Other: Levinas and the Face of Humanity (00:05:01)
5. Heidegger, Jewish Thought, and the Danger of Misinterpretation (00:07:00)
6. Love, Infinity, and Transcendence: A Philosophy of Spiritual Desire (00:08:43)
7. The Book of Jonah & God’s Call Beyond Borders (00:10:45)
8. What Does It Mean to Be ‘Chosen’ by God? (00:12:59)
9. The Power of Rituals: Finding Meaning in Everyday Practices (00:15:42)
10. Gratitude & The Sacred in Everyday Life (00:19:05)
11. King David & Leadership: The Challenge of Ego (00:22:14)
12. Two Abrahams: Balancing Faith and Rational Thought (00:23:59)
13. Sanctification of the Everyday: Turning the Ordinary into the Sacred (00:26:21)
14. Discovering Your Right Path: Personal Purpose in a Divine Calling (00:27:40)
15. The Wisdom of Confucius: Habits, Virtues, and the Art of Living Well (00:31:17)
16. Outro and Contact: Stay Connected (00:32:45)
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