232. Unity of Subject and Object

232. Unity of Subject and Object

Author: Nick Jamell June 29, 2021 Duration: 34:05

In today's episode, I want to talk more about the marriage of object and subject in the human person, and what that means.

Find out more here: Unity of Subject and Object

We are Body & Soul Composites

We experience the objective world and we have a subjective lens. In order to understand that, we must remember what I discussed in the last two episodes on objective reality and our subjective experience. We have bodies that are objects in the world, but we also have a mind and soul that allows us to relate to one another, think abstractly, communicate ideas, and create art.

We can influence the world around us

It is possible to influence the world around us. Here are some of the ways we do that. We can:

  1. create, destroy, move, and manipulate objects
  2. persuade people logically
  3. influence people’s emotions
  4. have relationships with a whole person

But we can't dictate reality

This doesn't mean we can dictate everything around us. The laws of nature are beyond our control, although we can use them to our advantage. There are many things we cannot change or influence, and there are some that we have some sway over, but many are out of our control. That is something many subjectivists cannot admit: that our  feelings about the world don't necessarily change it.

Related episodes: 

147. Book Review | Fools, Frauds, and Firebrands by Roger Scruton

124. Our Pornographic Culture

What is Objective Reality?

What is Subjective Reality?


Nick Jamell hosts Conversation of Our Generation, a space where urgent contemporary questions meet enduring ideas from history and philosophy. Rather than reacting to the noise of daily headlines, this podcast deliberately steps back to examine the deeper currents shaping our society and culture. Each episode is a long-form dialogue that treats topics like politics, religion, and social change not as fodder for debate, but as puzzles to be understood with patience and intellectual humility. The aim is to move beneath entrenched partisanship and surface-level takes, searching instead for clearer perspectives and foundational truths. What you’ll hear are thoughtful explorations that connect modern dilemmas to the wisdom of ancient and modern thinkers, asking how we might navigate today’s complexities with a more grounded sense of principle. This isn’t about quick answers; it’s about cultivating a more meaningful and less reactive way of engaging with the world. For anyone feeling adrift in a polarized age, this podcast offers a sustained, earnest conversation that values depth over speed, and understanding over winning an argument. Tune in for a respite from the frantic news cycle and a chance to consider what it means to be part of this particular moment in time, armed with the best ideas from across the ages.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 245

Conversation of Our Generation
Podcast Episodes
52. Have a Sense of Humor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Today let's dive into the thing our society needs: humor. What makes things funny? Why is humor in short supply in our culture today? "Everything human is pathetic. The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow…
51. Finding Truth in an Unsure World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:27
Today there are two quotes of the week to show you two prevailing views of the Truth. One is that it is something that exists outside of ourselves and is able to be conveyed through honesty. The latter is that it is some…
50. Capitalism vs Socialism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
President Trump declared in his latest State of the Union that, "America will never be a socialist country." This is a positive declaration by a president who has often flirted with too much intervention in the economy.…
49. How Can We Move Past Race? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:20
The racial politics we're in right now has had obvious negative effects, especially over the last ten years. What can we do to move past race and see each other as individuals? How do we heal the wounds and move on? No h…
48. Render Unto Caesar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Can public schools teach the Bible? What does the 1st amendment say? What can we learn about reading the Bible both religiously and secularly? Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohib…
47. Healing the Country's Divisions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
In honor of MLK Day, I wanted to talk about healing the country's divisions, since he was so instrumental in healing our racial divisions. It seems we are divided among new lines. We may have all come on different ships,…
46. Make the Government Shutdown Permanent, Mr. President [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:08
I know I've tried to be less political, but I think this is a good lesson for us. It's been weeks since the government shut down, and you would never know if it weren't being hyped up in the news. So, we'll discuss all t…
45. Becoming More Disciplined Through Abstinence And Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:02
I apologize for the 2 week hiatus! Both of the last 2 Tuesdays were Holidays, and with family in town and an unexpected illness, I was unable to do the podcast. I think the break was needed, and I'm ready to get back int…
44. Leap of Faith or Just a Step? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:45
I want to talk about faith and how it is not some giant leap that starts you on a journey, but a small step at the end of a journey of learning. "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to belie…
43. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:14
We often look at our ancestors as rubes or primitive, but they were far smarter than we give them credit for. Maybe they hadn't advanced technology to the point of self-driving cars or iPhones, but there is more to human…