Notes

Currently an Associate Professor at Durham University, UK, Philip Goff's research focuses on the philosophy of mind and consciousness. In his book, the author argues that “In recent years we have gotten used to taking ‘science’ and ‘physical science’ to be synonymous. At the same time, we look to scientists to give us a complete theory of reality. These two demands on science cannot be reconciled. So long as ‘science’ is equated with ‘physical science,’ it will be … unable to account for consciousness … [and] confined to telling us what matter does, remaining silent on its intrinsic nature.” (p.129)
    The title refers to the fact that science, following Galilei Galileo, was designed to exclude consciousness. In an interview with Scientific American Goff said: “If Galileo were to time travel to the present day and hear about this problem of explaining consciousness in the terms of physical science, he’d say, ‘Of course, you can’t do that. I designed physical science to deal with quantities, not qualities.’ ”

Links

• Publisher's notes
• 'Does consciousness pervade the Universe?' Interview with Philip Goff