The Joe Rogan Experience #1739 - Philip Goff
Nov 24, 2021
Philip Goff, a philosopher and consciousness researcher at Durham University, dives deep into the philosophy of panpsychism, suggesting consciousness might be a fundamental quality of all matter. He discusses plant intelligence, highlighting their ability to respond and learn, while exploring the consciousness of complex societies like leafcutter ants. Goff debates panpsychism versus reductionism, challenges traditional views on consciousness and matter, and raises profound questions about our understanding of subjective experiences and the nature of innovation.
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Panpsychism Defined
- Philip Goff is a philosophy professor at Durham University, researching consciousness.
- He defends panpsychism, the view that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of the physical world, even at the particle level.
Plant Consciousness
- Plants exhibit reactions suggesting a form of awareness, like changing chemical profiles when eaten.
- They also demonstrate learned responses, such as associating light with sound.
The Hard Problem of Consciousness
- Consciousness is not publicly observable, making scientific study difficult.
- Neuroscientists try to correlate brain activity with reported experiences, but there's no consensus.
