Episode #180 - What if everything is consciousness?
What if everything is consciousness?
Key Takeaways
Physicalism and Materialism in Understanding Consciousness: The episode begins with a focus on the modern view of consciousness, rooted primarily in physicalism or materialism. This perspective posits that consciousness can be entirely explained through the physical properties of the brain, a view influenced by the dominance of science in contemporary culture.
Challenges with Current Theoretical Models: Despite the success of current scientific models in explaining many phenomena, they face challenges in fully explaining consciousness. This issue stems from the foundational assumptions of these models, which may have overlooked consciousness, hence the difficulty in comprehending it within existing scientific frameworks.
Introduction to Panpsychism: The episode introduces Panpsychism as an alternative theory of consciousness, offering a different perspective from conventional views.
Panpsychism's Implications on Science and Society: The discussion extends into the societal and scientific implications of adopting Panpsychism. This viewpoint suggests a radical shift in our understanding of the natural world and our ethical considerations, viewing consciousness as a universal trait of all matter, not exclusively a human characteristic.
Recommended Reading
Galileo's Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness by Philip Goff (2019): A thought-provoking book advocating for panpsychism, positing that consciousness is a fundamental characteristic of all physical matter.
Consciousness and Fundamental Reality by Philip Goff (2017): Goff challenges the notion of physicalism and delves into Russellian monism, offering innovative alternatives to traditional perspectives on consciousness.
Why? The Purpose of the Universe by Philip Goff (2023): In this work, Goff examines contemporary cosmology and philosophical research on consciousness, arguing for a cosmic purpose and exploring alternatives to conventional religious and atheistic views
See the full transcript here.
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