Within Reason #27 Philip Goff - Is Everything Conscious?
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Apr 18, 2023 
Philosopher Philip Goff explores panpsychism, the idea that consciousness may be woven into the universe, and why physics can describe matter’s behavior without revealing what it is. The conversation ranges from color and subatomic particles to the challenge of combining tiny experiences into a human mind, then turns to plant consciousness, animal welfare, and environmental ethics.
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Consciousness Is A Philosophical Choice
- The mind–body question is philosophical because empirical data are compatible with multiple theories.
- Goff: materialism, panpsychism, and dualism are empirically equivalent, so philosophy must evaluate them.
Materialism's Explanatory Project Stalls
- Many materialists concede there's no intelligible bridge from physical descriptions to subjective qualities.
- Goff claims panpsychism solves the explanatory gap by making consciousness fundamental.
From Aspiring Physicist To Philosopher
- Philip Goff wanted to be a physicist as a child and later shifted to philosophy when questions about consciousness persisted.
- That personal path motivated his work reconciling science and subjective experience.