Written by Philip Goff

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Review by Gunnel Minett

The first chapter of this book is entitled “What’s the Point of Living?” A rather provocative start to a philosophical book, and to ensure he gets his message across to the reader, Goff has written an academic book about meaning and purpose in the universe, in a generally non-academic way, but with clearly marked sections containing more in-depth explanations. 

Meaning and purpose have always been of interest to all human beings. In Western cultures the dichotomy between traditional religion and secular atheism have characterised this discussion. But perhaps it is time, Goff argues, to move on from both God and materialistic atheism and look at other explanations. 

Goff Writes: “Over a hundred years with no evidence for anything like cosmic purpose has cemented in our culture a certain view as to what science is supposed to look like. People talk of religion as a crutch and in many cases it is. But a certain kind of scientism, attached to a rigid view of what a scientific picture of reality ‘should’ look like, also get into people’s identity, into their sense of who they are. It’s very reassuring to feel you’re on the right team, on the side of reason unlike those other fools. And it’s scary to have that worldview questioned if you’re invested in it.” (P 23)

The traditional concept of an omnipotent God simply isn’t necessary, nor even a valid explanation, as to how the universe works or why it exists. Within current science, there are a number of alternative explanations, from computer simulation to the possibility that the universe itself is conscious. To clarify the situation further Goff, offers a thorough analysis of these possibilities. In doing so, he presents a new philosophical paradigm that covers this middle ground between God and atheism. Goff, who identifies himself as a believer in pan-psychism, argues that purpose in the universe is not just some emotional and unimportant human need but rather a quality that seems to be built into the very nature of things. He also outlines a hope that a cosmic purpose is still unfolding and gives the reader a glimpse of the immense creative potential of the universe. 

In the chapter on consciousness Goff presents the standard view of the  difficulties in explaining the existence of consciousness within the conventional materialistic view held by science: its conception of the nature of matter that makes consciousness mysterious. There’s no good reason to think this, Goff argues. If you instead assume that consciousness, in some form, is built into the nature of matter from the start, the discussion of how matter can create consciousness becomes irrelevant.

Goff’s explanation of consciousness also has implications for the treatment of psychological problems. In a materialistic world determinism tends to be the rule. That makes the prescription of drugs to ameliorate psychological ill health more justifiable. If you on the other hand see the world as a continuum of some form of conscious existence throughout evolution, the more obvious choice of treatment would be therapy aimed at finding causes and effects.

Goff ends his discussion with the prediction that panpsychism will, over time, come to be seen as correct. It’s so incredibly unlikely that a universe such as ours, with life forms, consciousness and values should have come into existence at all. The only real alternative is that we must suppose some purpose underlying it. That there is something rather than nothing and a point to it after all. 

Published by OUP Oxford, UK, 2023, ISBN 978-0198883760