#805: Philip Goff — Exploring Consciousness and Non-Ordinary Religion, Galileo's Error, Panpsychism, Heretical Ideas, and Therapeutic Belief

Philip Goff is a professor of philosophy at
Durham University. His main research focus is consciousness, but
he is interested in many questions about the nature of reality.
He is most known for defending panpsychism, the view that
consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the
physical world. He is the author of Galileo's Error:
Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness and
Why? The Purpose of the Universe.


This episode is brought to you by:


Our Place's Titanium Always Pan
Pro using nonstick technology that’s
coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever
Chemicals”: https://fromourplace.com/tim (Get
10% off today!)


AG1 all-in-one nutritional
supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year
supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first
subscription purchase.)


Helix Sleep premium
mattresses: https://HelixSleep.com/Tim (20%
off on all mattress orders)


Connect with Philip Goff:


https://philipgoffphilosophy.com/


https://x.com/Philip_Goff/


https://bsky.app/profile/philipgoff.bsky.social


Timestamps:


[00:00:00] Start.


[00:06:24] What is panpsychism?


[00:11:19] Common misunderstandings about panpsychism.


[00:16:08] Roger Penrose and quantum consciousness.


[00:17:26] Gödel’s incompleteness theorem.


[00:19:22] The challenges of scientific consensus on
consciousness.


[00:21:35] Integrated Information Theory (IIT).


[00:27:17] What early quantum pioneers like Max Planck and Niels
Bohr thought about consciousness.


[00:33:15] Defining consciousness and qualia.


[00:35:41] Galileo’s Error: How science removed consciousness
from study.


[00:41:03] Materialist vs. panpsychist.


[00:43:30] The neuroanatomical seat of consciousness debate.


[00:45:41] Scientific challenges around the public observation of
consciousness.


[00:50:35] Exploring potential payoffs and ethical considerations
of figuring out consciousness.


[00:57:01] How virtual reality reminded Philip to appreciate
ordinary reality.


[01:00:31] Bertrand Russell and William James as philosophical
heroes.


[01:02:05] Science seems mum on the matter of matter.


[01:06:53] William James and mystical experiences.


[01:09:20] Philip’s journey as a “heretical Christian.”


[01:19:23] Why Philip left Christianity at age 14.


[01:20:20] Rediscovering mystical traditions within Christianity.


[01:31:41] Karen Armstrong on the modern corruption of religious
belief.


[01:33:56] Is true belief a prerequisite for building a community
through religion and enjoying its therapeutic benefits?


[01:48:40] Psychedelics and numinous experiences.


[01:51:36] Sufism and mystical poetry.


[01:56:10] Renaming traditional religious terms for broader
accessibility.


[02:01:09] The potential resurgence of religion and new spiritual
movements.


[02:05:42] Philip’s billboard.


[02:08:36] Parting thoughts.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California
Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.