How Can We Know Anything? Artful Knowing with Esther Meek

In this episode, I sit down with philosopher Esther Lightcap Meek (@Esther_l_meek) to explore how our understanding of knowledge shapes everything, from faith to creativity to everyday life. Esther challenges the modernist assumption that knowledge is merely information gathering, arguing instead for a view of knowing that is personal, participatory, and artful.

We discuss:
• How the "knowledge as information" paradigm cuts us off from reality
• Michael Polanyi's concept of subsidiary-focal integration
• Why imagination is essential to all knowing (including science!)
• The relationship between attention, love, and knowledge
• How artful knowing can help us navigate crises of faith
• The doctrine of creation and wonder in the ordinary
• Re-enchantment vs. the "lively real"
• Comparing Esther's work with Iain McGilchrist's brain hemisphere research

Whether you're wrestling with doubt, seeking deeper understanding, or simply curious about how we know what we know, this conversation offers profound insights into making contact with reality.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction & Opening Reflections
2:43 - Welcoming Esther Meek
4:23 - How did Esther come to philosophy?
8:35 - On navigating crises of faith
13:33 - How Polanyi helps us
17:32 - Subsidiary focal integration
20:57 - Attention, love and knowledge
29:23 - Is re-enchantment helpful?
42:15 - The creativity of logic
49:16 - Imagination and reason - one form of knowing?
53:33 - Imagination as a point of integration
57:02 - Practicing artful attention
1:02:09 - Concluding reflections

BOOKS MENTIONED:
• Doorway to Artistry - Esther Lightcap Meek
• Longing to Know - Esther Lightcap Meek
• Loving to Know - Esther Lightcap Meek
• A Little Manual of Knowing - Esther Lightcap Meek
• Personal Knowledge - Michael Polanyi
• The Master and His Emissary - Iain McGilchrist
• The Matter with Things - Iain McGilchrist
• Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder

CONNECT WITH ESTHER MEEK:
https://www.estherlightcapmeek.com
https://facebook.com/estherlightcapmeek
https://twitter.com/esther_l_meek
https://instagram.com/estherlightcapmeek

SUBSCRIBE TO CALEB'S EMAIL NEWSLETTER:
https://www.biggerinside.co.uk

ALSO MENTIONED:
Esther Meek on Grail Country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMYjXpgoMNc&pp=0gcJCXwKAYcqIYzv
Caleb's article on C. S. Lewis, Iain McGilchrist, creativity and inspiration: https://www.biggerinside.co.uk/p/creativity-and-spiritual-inspiration