[Cosmosis] The Call Is Coming From Inside The House: James Madden on Belief, Doubt, and UFOs

In this episode of Cosmosis, Kelly Chase and Jay Christopher King are joined by philosopher James Madden, author of Unidentified Flying Hyperobject: UFOs, Philosophy, and the End of the World. Jim has been part of this journey with us from the very beginning, appearing on The UFO Rabbit Hole podcast and in our docuseries Cosmosis: UFOs & A New Reality. Together, we take a hard look at the state of ufology and how belief, ideology, and language shape the way we think about the phenomenon. We ask tough questions: Has ufology become a kind of religion? What does it mean to practice good “epistemic hygiene” in a field so vulnerable to disinformation and self-deception? How can we avoid falling into old patterns of certainty while still honoring the mystery? This is a conversation about curiosity, responsibility, and the courage to sit with the unknown. Whether you’re new to the field or a long-time experiencer, Jim’s insights cut through the noise and remind us that sometimes the most important thing isn’t finding the answer—but learning to ask better questions. Music for Cosmosis is by Michael Rubino. The show is brought to you by SpectreVision Radio. ✨ Join the conversation and go deeper: Cosmosis Community on Patreon – ad-free episodes, monthly calls, private Discord, and more: CosmosisCommunity.com Cosmosis: UFOs & A New Reality – now streaming on Amazon, Apple TV, and multiple platforms: Cosmosis.Media Resources & References James D. Madden, Unidentified Flying Hyperobject: UFOs, Philosophy, and the End of the World Watch Cosmosis: UFOs & A New Reality: https://www.cosmosis.media/ Join the Patreon: https://cosmosiscommunity.com Subscribe to Cosmosis: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cosmosis.Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KnyktIs059pbVdccD020D?si=f3835f36a8cb479d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cosmosis-formerly-the-ufo-rabbit-hole/id1595590107 Follow Cosmosis X: https://x.com/cosmosis_media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12EEyNVPucu/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosmosis.media Listen to the Cosmosis Soundtrack by Michael Rubino: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5Xvs2NAHNbKjfW7hWkjqey?si=pJPPgIPsRZGkZjJh19UULQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cosmosis-ufos-a-new-reality-season-one-original-soundtrack/1788465117 Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0DS5WY5CB?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_zY05XPzhLhuow5dAgK3g2W9yC TIMESTAMPS 04:57 The Evolution of Ufology: A Personal Perspective 07:37 Ufology as a Religion: Belief and Skepticism 14:15 The Hero's Journey in Ufology 29:59 Challenges in Ufology: Secrecy and Belonging 34:43 Navigating Blind Spots in Public Discourse 36:32 The Illusion of Ease in Public Engagement 37:42 The Trap of Daily Grind and Outrage Cycles 40:02 Questioning the UFO Narrative 44:13 Skepticism and Authority in the UFO Community 46:33 The Role of Media and Public Perception 54:02 Positive Aspects of Ufology 56:15 The Power of Unanswerable Questions 59:05 Maintaining Intellectual Sovereignty 01:04:31 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices