Philip Goff discusses cosmic purpose, panpsychism, and the limitations of God as an explanation. They explore living in a computer simulation and the universe as a conscious mind. The podcast also covers topics like fine-tuning, free will, consciousness, morality, and the search for meaning in an uncertain universe.
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Quick takeaways
Philip Goff argues for cosmic purpose in the universe, proposing that it is directed towards certain goals, such as the emergence of life.
Goff finds the traditional God explanation of cosmic purpose inadequate, exploring alternative possibilities like living in a computer simulation or the universe itself being a conscious mind.
The existence of evil and suffering challenges the idea of a loving God as the ultimate source of purpose and meaning.
Objective moral truths exist and can be discovered through reasoning, observation of human nature, and society, similar to the discovery of mathematical truths.
Deep dives
Objective value and moral truths
In the podcast, Philip Goff discusses the existence of objective moral truths. He argues that while it may be difficult to ground morality in reason, it is unsustainable to deny the existence of objective value. Goff suggests that there are certain things that are worth doing and desires that are worth having, such as the pursuit of knowledge, the reduction of suffering, and the advancement of well-being. He believes that these values are inherent in human nature and form the basis for objective moral truths.
The problem of evil and suffering
Goff recognizes the argument made by religious philosophers that God provides the purpose and explanation for the existence of evil and suffering in the world. However, he finds this explanation inadequate due to his belief that a loving God would not create a universe with unnecessary and gratuitous suffering. He argues that the existence of evil and suffering pose significant challenges to the idea of a creator with good intentions.
The fine-tuning argument and theism
Goff acknowledges that the fine-tuning of the universe raises intriguing questions about its origin and purpose. However, he finds the theistic explanation, that God is the inference to the best explanation, to be lacking due to the problem of evil and suffering. Goff contends that the presence of needless suffering undermines the idea of a loving and all-powerful God as the ultimate source of purpose and meaning.
Subjectivity vs. objectivity of moral values
Goff examines the debate between subjective and objective moral values. He argues that subjective moral positions, which rely on personal desires and preferences, are ultimately unsustainable as there is no rational basis to uphold them. Goff suggests that objective moral truths exist and can be discovered through reasoning and observation of human nature and society. He compares the existence of objective moral truths to the existence of mathematical truths, acknowledging the mystery behind their existence and how humans come to know them.
Cosmic Purpose and the Universe
The podcast explores the concept of cosmic purpose and its implications for the universe. It delves into the idea that there is a fundamental drive towards the good in the cosmos, and that human existence may play a part in this purpose. It examines the evidence for fine-tuning and how it suggests some level of goal-directedness in the universe. The podcast also discusses different hypotheses, such as non-standard design, teleological laws, or a conscious universe, as explanations for cosmic purpose. It ultimately suggests that living in hope of a greater purpose can lead to a more meaningful life.
The Need for Spiritual Communities
The podcast explores the need for spiritual communities and their role in connecting individuals to a greater purpose. It discusses how traditional religious communities have historically fulfilled this role, but acknowledges the need for new forms of community in a secular age. It also touches on the importance of nature and the environment in fostering a sense of connectedness and spirituality. The podcast emphasizes the significance of communal rituals, rights of passage, and shared values in cultivating a meaningful and purposeful life.
The Flaws in Multiverse Theory
The podcast challenges the multiverse theory as an explanation for fine-tuning and argues that it is based on flawed reasoning. It points out the fallacy of the inverse gambler's fallacy, pointing out that observing a finely tuned universe does not provide evidence for the existence of other universes. It highlights the need for rigorous and careful reasoning when considering the existence of multiple universes. The podcast also discusses the role of probability and the scientific study of fine-tuning in relation to the multiverse theory.
The Meaning of Cosmic Purpose in Everyday Life
The podcast explores the implications of cosmic purpose for individual lives and personal meaning. It suggests that living in the hope of a greater purpose can give individuals a sense of meaning and connectedness to a broader cosmic story. It emphasizes the potential for personal growth, spirituality, and the pursuit of the good in everyday life. The podcast acknowledges that finding personal meaning is independent of whether the universe has a meaning, but suggests that cosmic purpose can provide a framework for living a more meaningful life.
Why are we here? What’s the point of existence? On the ‘big questions’ of meaning and purpose, Western thought has been dominated by the dichotomy of traditional religion and secular atheism. In his pioneering work, Philip Goff argues that it is time to move on from both God and atheism. Through an exploration of contemporary cosmology and cutting-edge philosophical research on consciousness, Goff argues for cosmic purpose: the idea that the universe is directed towards certain goals, such as the emergence of life.
In contrast to religious thinkers, Goff argues that the traditional God is a bad explanation of cosmic purpose. Instead, he explores a range of alternative possibilities for accounting for cosmic purpose, from the speculation that we live in a computer simulation to the hypothesis that the universe itself is a conscious mind. Goff scrutinizes these options with analytical rigour, laying the foundations for a new paradigm of philosophical enquiry into the middle ground between God and atheism. Ultimately, Goff outlines a way of living in hope that cosmic purpose is still unfolding, involving political engagement and a non-literalist interpretation of traditional religion.
Shermer and Goff discuss: • living in a computer simulation • the universe itself as a conscious mind • cosmic purpose • fine-tuning • free will • consciousness (the ground of all being?) • morality and the Is-Ought Fallacy • What is mypurpose in life? • religious vs. secular answers to the purpose question • awe and how to be spiritual but not religious.
Philip Goff is Professor of Philosophy at Durham University. His research focuses on consciousness and the ultimate nature of reality. Goff is best known for defending panpsychism, the view that consciousness pervades the universe and is a fundamental feature of it. On that theme, Goff has published three books, Consciousness and Fundamental Reality, Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness, and a co-edited volume, Is Consciousness Everywhere? Essays on Panpsychism. Goff has published many academic articles, as well as writing extensively for newspapers and magazines, including Scientific American, The Guardian, Aeon, and the Times Literary Supplement. His new book is Why: The Purpose of the Universe.
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