Does the universe have a purpose? If it does, how is this connected to the meaningfulness that we seek in our lives? In <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/12343/9780198883760">Why? The Purpose of the Universe</a> (Oxford University Press, 2023), Philip Goff argues for cosmic purposivism, the idea that the universe does have a purpose – although this is not because there is an all-powerful God who provides it with one. Instead, Goff argues, fundamental physics provides us with reason to think it is probable there is a cosmic purpose – and, moreover, the best explanation of these reasons is to posit cosmopsychism: the idea that there are fundamental forms of consciousness such that the universe itself is a conscious mind. Goff, who is professor of philosophy at Durham University, argues that these claims are not as extravagant as they may initially seem, and that his view provides a way for understanding human purposes that lies between secular humanism and religious or spiritual perspectives.<a href="https://clas.uiowa.edu/philosophy/people/carrie-figdor">Carrie Figdor</a> is professor of philosophy at the University of Iowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>Support our show by becoming a premium member! <a href="https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/philosophy">https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/philosophy</a>

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Philip Goff, "Why? The Purpose of the Universe" (Oxford UP, 2023)

New Books in Philosophy