The Tim Ferriss Show #805 · April 9, 2025 · 2h 16m

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

Philip Goff — philosophy professor at Durham, leading advocate for panpsychism. The thesis: consciousness is fundamental and ubiquitous, not something that emerges from complex brains. 15 years ago this was laughed at; now it's a mainstream academic position. Also covers his journey from atheism to a modern interpretation of Christianity.

Highlights

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Panpsychism — consciousness is fundamental, not emergent

Even electrons have primitive forms of consciousness. Solves the 'hard problem' that materialism can't.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Galileo's error

Galileo removed consciousness from science by separating qualities from quantities. That was a mistake.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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From atheism to non-ordinary religion

Goff's personal journey: atheist philosopher finds his way to a modern Christianity through mystical experience.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

References

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Galileo's Error — Philip Goff (2019) — The case for panpsychism

Misc

✧15 years ago panpsychism was laughed at — now it's taught to undergraduates

✧Many people who've had psychedelic experiences resonate with panpsychism

✧Goff's work connects to the 'hard problem of consciousness' — why there is subjective experience at all

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