The Tim Ferriss Show

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


Listen Later

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.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Tim Ferriss ShowBy Tim Ferriss: Bestselling Author, Human Guinea Pig

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

15,738 ratings


More shows like The Tim Ferriss Show

View all
The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

The Rich Roll Podcast

11,910 Listeners

a16z Podcast by Andreessen Horowitz

a16z Podcast

1,082 Listeners

The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

2,670 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

2,077 Listeners

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory by Impact Theory

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

4,710 Listeners

Masters of Scale by WaitWhat

Masters of Scale

3,979 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

8,454 Listeners

Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss

Tribe of Mentors

1,215 Listeners

The Peter Attia Drive by Peter Attia, MD

The Peter Attia Drive

8,122 Listeners

The Daily Stoic by Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

The Daily Stoic

4,820 Listeners

Naval by Naval

Naval

2,139 Listeners

My First Million by Hubspot Media

My First Million

2,652 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

9,800 Listeners

Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of World-Class Performers by Tim Ferriss

Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of World-Class Performers

298 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

29,195 Listeners

CØCKPUNCH by Tim Ferriss

CØCKPUNCH

258 Listeners

The Morgan Housel Podcast by Morgan Housel

The Morgan Housel Podcast

1,040 Listeners

David Senra by Scicomm Media

David Senra

0 Listeners