Galileo's Error
Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Ebury Publishing
Published:7th Nov '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This book presents a fresh perspective on consciousness through the lens of panpsychism, suggesting it is a fundamental aspect of all matter.
In Galileo's Error, philosopher Philip Goff presents a compelling argument that reshapes our understanding of consciousness. He explores the limitations of traditional scientific approaches to consciousness, which have struggled to provide satisfactory answers to this profound question. By examining the philosophical foundations of modern science, Goff suggests that our conventional methods may be inadequate for grasping the complexities of the mind. His work invites readers to reconsider what consciousness truly is and how it relates to the physical world.
Central to Goff's thesis is the concept of panpsychism, the idea that consciousness is not merely a property of biological organisms but a fundamental aspect of all matter. This perspective challenges the prevailing notion that consciousness is an exclusive feature of complex brains. Instead, Goff argues that consciousness exists at various levels of existence, from subatomic particles to human beings. By drawing on the insights of early 20th-century thinkers like Arthur Eddington and Bertrand Russell, Galileo's Error offers a fresh lens through which to view the relationship between consciousness and the universe.
As an important manifesto for a new science of consciousness, this book is essential for anyone intrigued by the mysteries of the mind. It serves as a bridge between philosophy and science, appealing to readers who are familiar with the works of Daniel Dennett and David Chalmers. Ultimately, Galileo's Error paves the way for a deeper understanding of human consciousness and its place in the cosmos.
This is one of the clearest accounts I've ever read about the mystery of consciousness, and the way in which one theory about it, panpsychism, does a great deal to explain how it occurs and what it is. Why shouldn't consciousness be a normal property of matter, like mass or electrical charge? This idea has the glorious simplicity of our first realisation that the earth goes around the sun, and not vice versa. Suddenly the universe appears in a new and much more revealing perspective. Philip Goff's book is altogether a splendid introduction to this fascinating idea.
In Galileo’s Error, Philip Goff argues for a new approach to the scientific study of consciousness. He offers an accessible and compelling analysis of why our felt experience continues to elude scientific explanation and why the theories that describe consciousness as a fundamental feature of matter have been neglected—and why they now deserve serious consideration. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of consciousness studies. -- Annaka Harris, best-selling author of Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind
Goff’s ideas are radical, but his arguments are rigorous and the book is a pleasure to read. I recommend it to anyone who wants to come to grips with mystery of consciousness. -- David Chalmers, New York University
In this provocative, brave and clearly written book, Goff makes a compelling case for an initially absurd thesis. -- Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Galileo’s Error is wonderful introduction to this ancient set of beliefs and how panpsychism can give rise to a naturalized form of spirituality that can overcome the alienation we all feel in today’s globalized world that is beginning to fracture -- Christof Koch, President and chief scientist of the Allen Institute for Brain Science
ISBN: 9781846046018
Dimensions: 216mm x 135mm x 19mm
Weight: 255g
256 pages