JRE #1739 – Philip Goff

24-Nov-21

This podcast explores the fascinating and complex topic of consciousness through the lens of panpsychism, a philosophical view that posits consciousness as a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe. Philip Goff, a philosopher and consciousness researcher, presents a compelling argument for this perspective, challenging traditional materialistic views and inviting listeners to reconsider their understanding of the world and our place within it. Provocative discussions revolve around the nature of consciousness in various forms of life, from plants and insects to the potential for consciousness in non-living matter. Underlying themes delve into the limitations of scientific observation, the role of subjective experience, and the implications of panpsychism for our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

Podcast Topics:

1. Panpsychism and the Hard Problem of Consciousness:

• Panpsychism proposes that consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe, not an emergent property of complex systems like the human brain.
• Goff argues that panpsychism offers a more elegant solution to the “hard problem” of consciousness, which seeks to explain how subjective experience arises from physical processes.
• The idea is that fundamental particles possess rudimentary forms of experience, which combine to create the complex consciousness we experience as humans.
• This view challenges the traditional materialistic understanding of the universe and suggests that consciousness is an essential and intrinsic part of reality.

2. Consciousness in Plants and Insects:

• Goff discusses evidence suggesting that plants exhibit complex behaviors, including conditioned learning and communication through a “wood wide web”.
• He raises the question of whether these behaviors indicate a form of consciousness in plants, albeit perhaps more rudimentary than that of animals.
• The intricate and seemingly intelligent behavior of insects, such as leafcutter ants, is also examined, prompting questions about the nature of consciousness in these creatures.
• This exploration challenges the traditional view of consciousness as solely residing in higher-level organisms and suggests that it may be more widespread than previously thought.

3. The Limitations of Scientific Observation and the Hard Problem:

• Goff highlights the unique challenge posed by consciousness, which is not publicly observable. While science can study physical processes in the brain, it cannot directly observe subjective experience.
• This limitation makes it difficult to establish definitive scientific evidence for or against panpsychism or other theories of consciousness.
• He argues that the focus on publicly observable phenomena has led to a narrow conception of science, one that has historically excluded consciousness from its domain.
• This suggests the need for a more expansive view of science that can encompass the subjective reality of human experience.

4. Galileo’s Error and the Qualitative Domain of Consciousness:

• Goff discusses Galileo’s pivotal role in establishing mathematics as the language of science, which inadvertently led to a separation of the quantitative domain of science from the qualitative domain of consciousness.
• He argues that this separation has been a significant factor in the difficulty of explaining consciousness within the framework of modern science.
• He emphasizes the importance of bridging this divide and integrating the qualitative aspects of experience into a more comprehensive scientific understanding.
• Panpsychism, according to Goff, provides a way to reunite these domains, offering a more holistic view of reality that encompasses both the physical and the subjective.

5. The Debate with Sean Carroll and the Role of Consciousness in the Universe:

• Goff engages in a lively debate with physicist Sean Carroll, a prominent proponent of materialism, who argues that consciousness is ultimately reducible to physical processes.
• Goff counters that Carroll’s perspective fails to account for the qualitative nature of subjective experience and that panpsychism provides a more coherent explanation.
• This debate highlights the fundamental disagreement about the nature of reality and whether consciousness is a fundamental property or an emergent phenomenon.
• Goff’s view suggests that consciousness is not just a product of complex systems, but rather the very fabric of the universe itself, a concept with profound implications for our understanding of existence.

6. The Illusion of Consciousness and the Challenge of Denying Experience:

• Goff explores the view known as “illusionism”, which argues that consciousness is an illusion created by the brain.
• He finds this perspective somewhat coherent, as it acknowledges the limitations of scientific explanation in accounting for subjective experience. However, he finds it ultimately unconvincing.
• The difficulty of denying the reality of our subjective experience poses a fundamental challenge to this view, suggesting that consciousness is more than simply a product of the brain.
• The debate between materialism, panpsychism, and illusionism underscores the profound mystery of consciousness and the ongoing search for a satisfactory explanation.

7. The Evolutionary Emergence of Consciousness:

• Goff explores the challenges of explaining the emergence of consciousness from an evolutionary perspective, as it appears that behavior alone could suffice for survival.
• He argues that panpsychism offers a more elegant explanation, as consciousness has always been present at the fundamental level, and evolution has merely molded it into more complex forms.
• This perspective avoids the problem of a sudden and inexplicable emergence of consciousness, suggesting a continuous and natural process of development.
• This view underscores the interconnectedness of consciousness and evolution, suggesting that consciousness is an integral part of the unfolding story of life.

8. The Potential for Consciousness in Non-Living Matter:

• Goff explores the possibility of consciousness in non-living matter, such as rocks, drawing on the concept of integrated information theory.
• This theory suggests that consciousness arises from the complexity and interconnectedness of a system, with higher levels of integration indicating a greater degree of consciousness.
• While rocks may not exhibit the same level of complexity and integration as human brains, Goff acknowledges the possibility of rudimentary forms of experience in such entities.
• This exploration challenges our traditional understanding of consciousness as being limited to living beings and expands the potential scope of consciousness to encompass the entire universe.

9. The Implications of Panpsychism for Human Identity:

• Goff discusses the implications of panpsychism for our understanding of human identity, suggesting that consciousness is not merely a product of the brain but a fundamental aspect of our being.
• This perspective challenges the traditional view of the self as a separate entity, distinct from the physical world and potentially suggests a deeper connection to the universe.
• Panpsychism could lead to a more holistic and integrated view of ourselves, recognizing the interconnectedness of our consciousness with the larger cosmos.
• This view could also have implications for our ethical considerations, as it suggests that we may have a responsibility to all forms of consciousness, not just those we recognize as sentient.

10. The Philosophical and Scientific Implications of Panpsychism:

• Goff argues that panpsychism presents a more comprehensive framework for understanding the universe, integrating the data of physical science with the reality of subjective experience.
• This view challenges the limitations of a purely materialistic perspective and opens up new avenues for scientific inquiry and philosophical exploration.
• Panpsychism could have profound implications for our understanding of the universe, consciousness, and our place within it.
• The exploration of these implications suggests that panpsychism may be a vital step in our ongoing journey to comprehend the nature of reality.

11. The Role of Intuition and Experience in Understanding Consciousness:

• Goff emphasizes the importance of subjective experience as a source of knowledge about consciousness, arguing that it cannot be fully understood through purely objective observation.
• He suggests that our intuitions about consciousness, while not always reliable, provide valuable insights into the nature of experience.
• The challenge of explaining consciousness through science necessitates a combination of empirical investigation and introspective reflection.
• This approach emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted approach to understanding consciousness, one that incorporates both scientific and philosophical perspectives.

12. The Future of Consciousness Research and the Need for Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Goff advocates for a more interdisciplinary approach to consciousness research, involving collaboration between philosophers, scientists, and researchers from various fields.
• He highlights the need for a new generation of scientists who take consciousness seriously and incorporate it into their theoretical frameworks.
• He believes that this collaboration could lead to significant advancements in our understanding of consciousness and its role in the universe.
• This vision suggests a future where consciousness research is no longer confined to the realm of speculation, but rather becomes a central focus of scientific inquiry.

13. The Mystery of Consciousness and the Ongoing Search for Meaning:

• Goff acknowledges the deep mystery surrounding consciousness, suggesting that it may be an aspect of reality that we may never fully comprehend.
• He emphasizes the importance of continuing to explore this mystery and seeking a deeper understanding of our own experience.
• The search for meaning and purpose is often intertwined with our understanding of consciousness, suggesting that this exploration can lead to a richer and more meaningful life.
• Goff’s journey into the world of consciousness invites listeners to engage in this ongoing inquiry and explore the profound questions about our existence.

Memorable Quotes:

• “The reality of consciousness is a hard scientific data in its own right.”
• “I think we’ve been hitting our head against a brick wall for decades now, trying to give a kind of materialist answer to that problem. We’ve got precisely nowhere.”
• “Physics is like the software and consciousness is the hardware on which physics runs.”
• “The scientific paradigm we’ve been operating in for the last 500 years was designed by Galileo to exclude consciousness.”
• “I think it’s deeply important. How will we prove it? We won’t we won’t prove it with experiments because consciousness is not publicly observable.”