Phillip Goff

Okay, then you can do the experiments or make the observations. You can get an answer, at least with a high probability. But when we're asking these very big questions about the ultimate nature of reality, is mind or matter fundamental? I don't know. Does God exist? Whatever. I don't think there is no experiment you can do to just settle that. But you know, don't get me wrong.

Okay, then you can do the experiments or make the observations. You can get an answer, at least with a high probability. But when we're asking these very big questions about the ultimate nature of reality, is mind or matter fundamental? I don't know. Does God exist? Whatever. I don't think there is no experiment you can do to just settle that. But you know, don't get me wrong.

Experiments are absolutely crucial. We should start with the experiments. But when it comes to these all-encompassing worldview questions, the experimental data, as crucial as it is, leaves open many options. And there is a role, therefore, judgment calls in how best to interpret the data in which of these options looks more plausible. I think that's what philosophy is, really.

Experiments are absolutely crucial. We should start with the experiments. But when it comes to these all-encompassing worldview questions, the experimental data, as crucial as it is, leaves open many options. And there is a role, therefore, judgment calls in how best to interpret the data in which of these options looks more plausible. I think that's what philosophy is, really.

Experiments are absolutely crucial. We should start with the experiments. But when it comes to these all-encompassing worldview questions, the experimental data, as crucial as it is, leaves open many options. And there is a role, therefore, judgment calls in how best to interpret the data in which of these options looks more plausible. I think that's what philosophy is, really.

I think we're going through a phase of history where where people are understandably so blown away by how well science has gone and experimental investigation that we think, that's it, that works, that's the thing that we go for, and everything else seems kind of intangible and unsatisfying. But again, we need to remember there's always the worldview assumptions in the background.

I think we're going through a phase of history where where people are understandably so blown away by how well science has gone and experimental investigation that we think, that's it, that works, that's the thing that we go for, and everything else seems kind of intangible and unsatisfying. But again, we need to remember there's always the worldview assumptions in the background.

I think we're going through a phase of history where where people are understandably so blown away by how well science has gone and experimental investigation that we think, that's it, that works, that's the thing that we go for, and everything else seems kind of intangible and unsatisfying. But again, we need to remember there's always the worldview assumptions in the background.

You know, so I think if Galileo were to time travel to the present day... and hear about these struggles to explain consciousness in the terms of physical science, he'd say, of course you can't do that. I designed physical science to exclude consciousness. You've forgotten about the philosophy. So we need both. We need the science. We also need the philosophy.

You know, so I think if Galileo were to time travel to the present day... and hear about these struggles to explain consciousness in the terms of physical science, he'd say, of course you can't do that. I designed physical science to exclude consciousness. You've forgotten about the philosophy. So we need both. We need the science. We also need the philosophy.

You know, so I think if Galileo were to time travel to the present day... and hear about these struggles to explain consciousness in the terms of physical science, he'd say, of course you can't do that. I designed physical science to exclude consciousness. You've forgotten about the philosophy. So we need both. We need the science. We also need the philosophy.

And we really need them to be working together, hand in hand.

And we really need them to be working together, hand in hand.

And we really need them to be working together, hand in hand.

Yeah, just before I answer that question, going back to the Vienna Circle you mentioned then, and it was making me think, you know, I think so many people still have this idea that we can throw out philosophy. And we tried that in the 1930s and 40s with the Vienna Circle, what became known as logical positivism.

Yeah, just before I answer that question, going back to the Vienna Circle you mentioned then, and it was making me think, you know, I think so many people still have this idea that we can throw out philosophy. And we tried that in the 1930s and 40s with the Vienna Circle, what became known as logical positivism.

Yeah, just before I answer that question, going back to the Vienna Circle you mentioned then, and it was making me think, you know, I think so many people still have this idea that we can throw out philosophy. And we tried that in the 1930s and 40s with the Vienna Circle, what became known as logical positivism.

And they had this view that any statement which can't be experimentally empirically verified is meaningless gibberish, right? This was called the verification principle. And this was supposed to allow us to just focus on science and banish all that metaphysical gibberish, right? Well, it's pretty much universally accepted by philosophers of science that this didn't work out.

And they had this view that any statement which can't be experimentally empirically verified is meaningless gibberish, right? This was called the verification principle. And this was supposed to allow us to just focus on science and banish all that metaphysical gibberish, right? Well, it's pretty much universally accepted by philosophers of science that this didn't work out.

And they had this view that any statement which can't be experimentally empirically verified is meaningless gibberish, right? This was called the verification principle. And this was supposed to allow us to just focus on science and banish all that metaphysical gibberish, right? Well, it's pretty much universally accepted by philosophers of science that this didn't work out.