Once dismissed by Colin McGinn as “a complete myth, a comforting piece of utter balderdash. . . isn’t there something vaguely hippyish, i.e. stoned, about the doctrine?”, panpsychism is on the rise, and University of Durham philosopher Philip Goff is leading the charge.

Rooted in an analysis of the philosophical underpinnings of modern science and based on the early 20th century work of Arthur Eddington and Bertrand Russell, Goff will make the case for panpsychism as a theory which posits that consciousness is not confined to biological entities but is a fundamental feature of all physical matter – from subatomic particles to the human brain.

Philip Goff is a philosopher of mind who teaches at Durham University. He has published numerous articles in newspapers and magazines, such as The Guardian and the Times Literary Supplement, and has guest edited an edition of Philosophy Now magazine. His latest book, Galileo’s Error: Foundations for A New Science of Consciousness was published last year. Twitter: @Philip_Goff
Raymond Tallis is a philosopher, poet, novelist and cultural critic and was until recently a physician and clinical scientist. The Economist's Intelligent Life Magazine listed him as one of the top living polymaths in the world. His latest book, Seeing Ourselves: Reclaiming Humanity from God and Science, was published last year. www.raymondtallis.co.uk