Philip Goff

“In Western philosophy, we are stuck in this dichotomy between the traditional god of Western Abrahamic religion or Dawkins-style atheism. Whose side are you on? Are you with Richard Dawkins or the Pope? I often find that when you’re talking to people, they’re trying to pigeonhole you in one of those categories. We often create these dichotomies – US capitalism or communist Russia? – as if it must be one or the other…I came to my current view while teaching philosophy of religion, which I was asked to do when I arrived at Durham University five years ago. In the standard undergraduate course, you teach the arguments against God, then you teach the arguments for God, and then the students have to decide which is more compelling and write their essay. I taught the arguments against God, from evil and suffering, and thought, ‘That’s compelling. There’s definitely no God.’ Then, I taught the arguments for God, particularly the fine-tuning argument, and I thought, ‘Actually, that’s compelling too. There’s definitely a God.’ Then I thought, ‘Oh my God – what’s going on here?’ Ultimately, I realised that these arguments are not in contradiction with each other. While the arguments against God argue against a particular conception of God – the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfectly good omni-God; the fine-tuning argument points to something much more generic –not a designer but some kind of cosmic goal directedness. If you go for cosmic purpose and not the omni-God, then you can have your cake and eat it. You can accept both arguments…A decade ago, I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be writing this book. I do feel silly defending cosmic purpose because it doesn’t fit with my peer group and the intellectual waters I swim in.” Read more...

The best books on Cosmic Purpose

Philip Goff, Philosopher

“I think it’s a great book. He has real skill at explaining philosophical positions in an entertaining way, so that if you read this book, you’ll know quite a lot about contemporary philosophy of mind and you’ll pick it up quite effortlessly. I doubt you’ll be converted to panpsychism. I certainly haven’t been, but I don’t think that’s a flaw in the book.” Read more...

The Best Philosophy Books of 2019

Nigel Warburton, Philosopher