FUTURES Podcast Mysteries of Consciousness w/ Philip Goff
9 snips
Nov 1, 2021 
Philip Goff, a philosopher at Durham University and expert on consciousness, discusses his intriguing views on panpsychism, a theory proposing that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of the universe. He challenges traditional scientific views on consciousness, emphasizing the importance of subjective experience. Goff delves into the historical relationship between science and consciousness, and the alienation felt when emotions are simplified to chemical reactions. He also explores the philosophical implications of consciousness in relation to AI and encourages a synthesis of scientific and philosophical perspectives.
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The Hard Problem of Consciousness
- Neuroscience struggles to describe the qualitative aspects of consciousness, like the smell of coffee or the feeling of pain.
- These qualitative experiences cannot be captured by the quantitative language of neuroscience, creating a "hard problem."
Galileo's Impact on Science and Consciousness
- Galileo's focus on mathematics in science led to a worldview that excludes qualitative experiences.
- This has been successful for technological advancements but leaves out the essential aspect of consciousness.
Panpsychism Explained
- Panpsychism proposes that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of the universe.
- Fundamental particles possess simple forms of experience, which combine to form complex consciousness in organisms.
