Episode 160, Jack Symes vs Philip Goff

Welcome to a special Episode 160 – a conversation/debate between Jack Symes and Philip Goff.

Philip Goff and Jack Symes have known each other since 2011, when Philip taught Jack’s very first philosophy lecture. In the years since, they’ve both arrived at views that sit awkwardly between God and atheism – but in very different ways.

Philip defends a God of limited powers and a form of Christianity rooted in Eastern Orthodox theology. Jack argues that God is just the world. In this conversation, they put their views head to head.

They discuss the ontological argument (which Philip loves and Jack accepts begrudgingly), the problem of evil, and Philip’s recent mystical experience. They also explore negative religious experiences, panpsychism, whether the self is an illusion, and why neither of them are traditional theists.

This is a conversation between two friends who disagree about almost everything – and enjoy every minute of it.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/becomes a part of the world

Episode 159, The Rowan Williams Interview

Welcome to a special Episode 159 – a conversation with 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.

This episode brings together Jack and Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the world's most distinguished theologians.

As they explore the intersection of faith, politics, and ethics, they confront Christian nationalism, the morality of war, the value of animal life, and the nature of God. A sweeping philosophical and theological exchange!

We hope you enjoy the show.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/stands beside its creation

Episode 158, Live Debate: Alex O'Connor x William Lane Craig

Welcome to a very special Episode 158 – a live debate between Alex O’Connor and William Lane Craig.

This episode brings together two leading voices in philosophy of religion: William Lane Craig, one of the world’s foremost Christian apologists, and Alex O’Connor, one of today’s most prominent atheist thinkers.

As they confront the arguments for and against belief in God, they seek to break the long-standing impasse between God and atheism.

The first half of the show is free-flowing debate; the second half is audience Q&A. Hosted by Jonny Thomson and Jack Symes – we hope you enjoy the show!

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/passes through infinitely divisible time

Episode 157, 'Jesus' Physical Appearance' with John Nelson

Welcome to Episode 157, where Jack discusses Jesus’ body with John Nelson.

“Hey, it’s Jack here – I’m still out in the van writing up my travel book. The wind and rain coming down hard in France, as you might hear in the background.

We’re recording an old-school show and another interview at the end of the month, which we’re really excited to produce and share. In the meantime, I’m happy to release a one-to-one conversation with me and John Nelson – author of Jesus’ Physical Appearance and host at Premier Unbelievable.

We explore why the biblical writers include no description of Jesus’ body, what that absence might mean, and how Jesus’ appearance has been imagined, altered, and politicised across history. Along the way, we discuss Jesus’ clothing, Stoic and Cynic influences, animals and incarnation, modern Christian culture, the politics of Jesus’ image, and a few of the more intriguing Christian conspiracy theories. I hope you enjoy the show!”

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/doesn't describe itself

Episode 156, 'Epicurus – Worst Philosopher Ever?' with Jonny Thomson

Welcome to Episode 156, where Jack discusses the philosopher Epicurus with Jonny Thomson.

Hey everyone, it’s Jack here. I’m still out in the camper van writing a travel book – I’m really excited to share more on this soon.

At the same time, we’ve been producing live events and YouTube videos – so there’s been a lot going on. We’ll be sharing audio from the live shows soon, as well as recording an old school Panpsycast episode at the end of May.

In the meantime, I’m excited to share another conversation I’ve had for the new YouTube channel with Jonny Thomson on the philosophy of Epicurus.

I confront Jonny on my verdict that Epicurus is the worst philosopher ever; and he does a tremendous job of telling me why I’m wrong.

It’s a great conversation, which i’m excited for you to hear it. So without further ado: here it is! 

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/seeks pleasure

Episode 155, 'On Veganism' with Earthling Ed

Welcome to Episode 155, where Jack discusses veganism with Ed Winters (AKA Earthling Ed).

Hey, it’s Jack here – I’m currently in the snowy hills of Switzerland, recording this from the back of my campervan, so forgive the audio quality. (It won’t be like this beyond the introduction.)

I’ve been busy producing new content for YouTube, with some exciting conversations coming your way – one of which, was with Ed Winters, which I'm excited to share with you today.

We had a really interesting discussion about some of the internal tensions within vegan philosophy. We agree on a lot – but, as you’ll hear, our main disagreements concern the moral status of non-animals (which Ed rejects) and whether veganism should involve avoiding products tied to slave labour (which he also rejects).

You can watch the conversation on YouTube now – just search Dr Jack Symes – or sit back and listen here. Thanks again for your support – I hope you enjoy the show!

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/goes woke

Episode 154, ‘African Philosophy of Religion’ with Aribiah David Attoe (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Welcome to Episode 154 (Part II), where we’ll be continuing our discussion on Africana philosophy and the meaning of life.

The meaning of life is, as Albert Camus put it, the most urgent question in philosophy – the one on which everything else depends. Yet, when Western philosophy looks to answer this question, it paces up and down the same old libraries – the same shelves filled with the same assumptions about what counts as a self, a good life, and what happens after death.

African philosophy of religion has been neglected in this area. Not because it has nothing to say – but because we haven’t been listening. Today, we’ll be exploring this tradition – that is, African philosophy – on the meaning of life with Dr Aribiah David Attoe, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Dr Attoe has published several books – including The Question of Life's Meaning: An African Perspective, and African Perspectives to the Question of Life’s Meaning – as well as numerous articles and special journal issues on today’s topic, bringing these globally neglected traditions into dialogue with mainstream philosophy.

In this episode, we’ll explore what it means to live meaningfully with others – not merely alongside them. We’ll ask how harmony differs from conformity, and whether communal ideals can protect outsiders. And, most importantly, we’ll confront life and death head-on: whether it’s possible to find meaning, and – if not – how we should live in a meaningless world.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/fulfils its destiny

This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Episode 154, ‘African Philosophy of Religion’ with Aribiah David Attoe (Part I – The Meaning of Life)

Welcome to Episode 154 (Part I), where we’ll be discussing the meaning of life with Dr Aribiah David Attoe.

The meaning of life is, as Albert Camus put it, the most urgent question in philosophy – the one on which everything else depends. Yet, when Western philosophy looks to answer this question, it paces up and down the same old libraries – the same shelves filled with the same assumptions about what counts as a self, a good life, and what happens after death.

African philosophy of religion has been neglected in this area. Not because it has nothing to say – but because we haven’t been listening. Today, we’ll be exploring this tradition – that is, African philosophy – on the meaning of life with Dr Aribiah David Attoe, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Dr Attoe has published several books – including The Question of Life's Meaning: An African Perspective, and African Perspectives to the Question of Life’s Meaning – as well as numerous articles and special journal issues on today’s topic, bringing these globally neglected traditions into dialogue with mainstream philosophy.

In this episode, we’ll explore what it means to live meaningfully with others – not merely alongside them. We’ll ask how harmony differs from conformity, and whether communal ideals can protect outsiders. And, most importantly, we’ll confront life and death head-on: whether it’s possible to find meaning, and – if not – how we should live in a meaningless world.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/fulfils its destiny

This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Episode 153, 'Beautiful Veganism' with Vid Simoniti

Welcome to Episode 153, where Jack discusses beauty and veganism with returning guest. Vid Simoniti.

Hello, it’s Jack here!

I’m excited to share that I’ll soon be launching a new YouTube video series, interviewing previous guests from The Panpsycast – along with a few new faces.

The series launches at the end of March. Head to youtube.com/@DrJackSymes – or simply search Dr Jack Symes on YouTube – and subscribe so you’re ready for the first release.

In the meantime, I’ll be releasing a few of these episodes here on The Panpsycast, starting with a conversation with Dr Vid Simoniti on the relationship between beauty and veganism.

Normal service will resume in a couple of weeks. Until then, please do subscribe – that’s Dr Jack Symes on YouTube – and enjoy this audio preview.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/opens a new chapter

Episode 152, ‘God, Consciousness, and Fundamental Reality’ with Philip Goff, David Godman, and Miri Albahari (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Welcome to Episode 152 (Part II of II), where Goff, Godman, and Albahari discuss the methods and impact of Christian and Hindu philosophy.

The supreme being of classical theism is unlimited in power, knowledge, and goodness – a being distinct from the world, who creates it out of nothing and governs it from beyond. On this picture, we are not identical with God. God’s consciousness is not our consciousness – and our identity is not theirs.

That picture has long been challenged by schools of Hindu philosophy and, more recently, by Western philosophies of religion that reject traditional conceptions of God. In response to the problem of evil, some philosophers now argue that if there is a creator, then that creator must be limited in power. Advaita’s challenge is more radical. It doesn’t just revise the traditional conception of God – it dissolves it. Where classical theism draws a sharp distinction between God and the world, Advaita says that reality is non-dual. The divine is not something separate from us or from the universe, but the underlying reality that appears as both.

To explore these competing visions of the supreme being, reality, and our place within it, I’m joined by three guests. Returning to The Panpsycast for the fifth time is Philip Goff, Professor of Philosophy at Durham University. As listeners will remember, Philip is the author of several brilliant books – including Galileo’s Error and, more recently, Why? The Purpose of the Universe. David Godman is a leading author, best known for his work on the Hindu sage, Sri Ramana Maharshi. And last but not least, Miri Albahari is Senior Lecturer at The University of Western Australia – where her work explores the metaphysics and epistemology of Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta.

What is gained – and what is lost – when God is no longer unlimited, or is no longer separate from the world? Can these alternatives still ground mind, meaning, and morality? And by what means could we come to know such a reality – and decide between these rival conceptions of God?

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/dances around

This episode is generously supported by The John Templeton Foundation, through The Panpsychism and Pan(en)theism Project (62683).

Episode 152, ‘God, Consciousness, and Fundamental Reality’ with Philip Goff, David Godman, and Miri Albahari (Part I - The Debate)

Welcome to Episode 152 (Part I of II), where Goff, Godman, and Albahari debate the nature of God and fundamental reality.

The supreme being of classical theism is unlimited in power, knowledge, and goodness – a being distinct from the world, who creates it out of nothing and governs it from beyond. On this picture, we are not identical with God. God’s consciousness is not our consciousness – and our identity is not theirs.

That picture has long been challenged by schools of Hindu philosophy and, more recently, by Western philosophies of religion that reject traditional conceptions of God. In response to the problem of evil, some philosophers now argue that if there is a creator, then that creator must be limited in power. Advaita’s challenge is more radical. It doesn’t just revise the traditional conception of God – it dissolves it. Where classical theism draws a sharp distinction between God and the world, Advaita says that reality is non-dual. The divine is not something separate from us or from the universe, but the underlying reality that appears as both.

To explore these competing visions of the supreme being, reality, and our place within it, I’m joined by three guests. Returning to The Panpsycast for the fifth time is Philip Goff, Professor of Philosophy at Durham University. As listeners will remember, Philip is the author of several brilliant books – including Galileo’s Error and, more recently, Why? The Purpose of the Universe. David Godman is a leading author, best known for his work on the Hindu sage, Sri Ramana Maharshi. And last but not least, Miri Albahari is Senior Lecturer at The University of Western Australia – where her work explores the metaphysics and epistemology of Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta.

What is gained – and what is lost – when God is no longer unlimited, or is no longer separate from the world? Can these alternatives still ground mind, meaning, and morality? And by what means could we come to know such a reality – and decide between these rival conceptions of God?

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/dances around

This episode is generously supported by The John Templeton Foundation, through The Panpsychism and Pan(en)theism Project (62683).

Episode 149, ‘The Philosophy of Jainism’ with Marie-Hélène Gorisse (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Welcome to Episode 149 (Part II of II), where we’ll be continuing our exploration of Jain philosophy.

Jainism, along with Buddhism and Hinduism, is one of India’s great dharmic traditions – though far less well known than its siblings. Emerging around the second century BCE, it is best-known for valuing ahimsa in pursuit of liberation – a devout practice of non-violence. Yet there is far more to Jain philosophy than liberation and ahimsa. Jainism offers a rich way of understanding the self, the cosmos, and the divine. It’s a philosophy with a vision of reality that continues to challenge Western preconceptions on, well, just about everything: from the nature of souls and knowledge to the meaning of life and the origin of the universe.

Today, we’ll be exploring Jainism with Dr Marie-Hélène Gorisse. Dr Gorisse is currently Dharmanath Assistant Professor in Jain Studies at the University of Birmingham, where she’s co-project lead of the Global Philosophy of Religion Project 2. Marie-Hélène’s work explores South Asian philosophy of religion and, most specifically, she is a world-leading expert on Jaina philosophy.

In this episode, we'll trace how Jainism arose, how its sages taught that the self can escape the cycle of rebirth, and the purpose of the universe. And perhaps more importantly, we’ll explore how Jainism can help us all live better lives for the sake of ourselves, and the world around us.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/sweeps ahead

This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Episode 149, ‘The Philosophy of Jainism’ with Marie-Hélène Gorisse (Part I - Liberation)

Welcome to Episode 149 (Part I of II), where we’ll be speaking to Dr Marie-Hélène Gorisse about the philosophy of Jainism.

Jainism, along with Buddhism and Hinduism, is one of India’s great dharmic traditions – though far less well known than its siblings. Emerging around the second century BCE, it is best-known for valuing ahimsa in pursuit of liberation – a devout practice of non-violence. Yet there is far more to Jain philosophy than liberation and ahimsa. Jainism offers a rich way of understanding the self, the cosmos, and the divine. It’s a philosophy with a vision of reality that continues to challenge Western preconceptions on, well, just about everything: from the nature of souls and knowledge to the meaning of life and the origin of the universe.

Today, we’ll be exploring Jainism with Dr Marie-Hélène Gorisse. Dr Gorisse is currently Dharmanath Assistant Professor in Jain Studies at the University of Birmingham, where she’s co-project lead of the Global Philosophy of Religion Project 2. Marie-Hélène’s work explores South Asian philosophy of religion and, most specifically, she is a world-leading expert on Jaina philosophy.

In this episode, we'll trace how Jainism arose, how its sages taught that the self can escape the cycle of rebirth, and the purpose of the universe. And perhaps more importantly, we’ll explore how Jainism can help us all live better lives for the sake of ourselves, and the world around us.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/sweeps ahead

This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Episode 148, ‘Divine Commands’ with Paul Taylor (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Welcome to Episode 148 (Part II of II), where we’ll be continuing our discussion of theism and morality with Paul Taylor.

Most people believe in moral facts – that is, there’s something about torturing and murdering innocent people that makes it wrong, which goes beyond just a feeling. Yet it’s hard to locate morality anywhere in the natural world. For this reason, many have understood God to be the source and arbiter of moral truth. But can morality depend on divine decree – or would that make goodness a matter of celestial whim?

In this episode, we’ll be discussing the nature of moral obligation with Paul Taylor, doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Liverpool. There, as a university teacher, he specialises in ethics, political philosophy, and – our topic for today – philosophy of religion. As the recipient of the Robbins Rotblat Scholarship, Paul’s research examines one of the oldest and most perplexing questions in moral philosophy – first posed by Plato over two thousand years ago: does God decide what is moral, or merely report moral facts?

In search of the best answer, we’ve been diving into Paul’s unpublished work – pieces that ask not just the big meta-ethical questions, but the practical ones: what are we obliged to do, and why are we obliged to do it. As we’ll discover, Taylor’s work – and contemporary discussion on the Euthyphro dilemma – pushes us to think again about where morality comes from and whether we, and even God, must answer to it.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/follows God's orders

Episode 148, ‘Divine Commands’ with Paul Taylor (Part I - The Euthyphro Dilemma)

Welcome to Episode 148 (Part I of II), where we’ll be exploring contemporary discussions of the Euthyphro dilemma with Paul Taylor – doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Liverpool.

Most people believe in moral facts – that is, there’s something about torturing and murdering innocent people that makes it wrong, which goes beyond just a feeling. Yet it’s hard to locate morality anywhere in the natural world. For this reason, many have understood God to be the source and arbiter of moral truth. But can morality depend on divine decree – or would that make goodness a matter of celestial whim?

In this episode, we’ll be discussing the nature of moral obligation with Paul Taylor, doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Liverpool. There, as a university teacher, he specialises in ethics, political philosophy, and – our topic for today – philosophy of religion. As the recipient of the Robbins Rotblat Scholarship, Paul’s research examines one of the oldest and most perplexing questions in moral philosophy – first posed by Plato over two thousand years ago: does God decide what is moral, or merely report moral facts?

In search of the best answer, we’ve been diving into Paul’s unpublished work – pieces that ask not just the big meta-ethical questions, but the practical ones: what are we obliged to do, and why are we obliged to do it. As we’ll discover, Taylor’s work – and contemporary discussion on the Euthyphro dilemma – pushes us to think again about where morality comes from and whether we, and even God, must answer to it.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/follows God's orders

Episode 145, The Mystery of Morality: Live in London (Part II - Audience Questions)

Welcome to Episode 145 (Part II of II), where our panelists take questions from the audience.

'“Hello – it’s Olly here!

For Episode 145, we have another very special show for you: the recording from our live event – The Mystery of Morality – held on 12 June 2025 at London’s Royal Institution Theatre.

The event was a conversation between four of our previous guests: Richard Swinburne, Jessica Frazier, Alex O’Connor and Peter Singer. The question at the heart of the discussion: where does morality come from, and who (or what) counts morally?

It’s a brilliant discussion filled with humorous moments, but also some very serious moments and topics, such as same-sex relationships and animal rights. I think it’s one of our best shows yet. Thank you to everyone who came along to make it such a special evening. The first part of this podcast is their free-flowing conversation; the second is a Q&A with the audience. Without further ado, I’ll pass you over to Jack, live from The Royal Institution Theatre – we hope you enjoy the show.”

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/avoids suffering

Episode 145, The Mystery of Morality: Live in London (Part I - The Debate)

Welcome to Episode 145 (Part I of II), where Swinburne, Frazier, O’Connor, and Singer debate the origins and applications of morality.

'“Hello – it’s Olly here!

For Episode 145, we have another very special show for you: the recording from our live event – The Mystery of Morality – held on 12 June 2025 at London’s Royal Institution Theatre.

The event was a conversation between four of our previous guests: Richard Swinburne, Jessica Frazier, Alex O’Connor and Peter Singer. The question at the heart of the discussion: where does morality come from, and who (or what) counts morally?

It’s a brilliant discussion filled with humorous moments, but also some very serious moments and topics, such as same-sex relationships and animal rights. I think it’s one of our best shows yet. Thank you to everyone who came along to make it such a special evening. The first part of this podcast is their free-flowing conversation; the second is a Q&A with the audience. Without further ado, I’ll pass you over to Jack, live from The Royal Institution Theatre – we hope you enjoy the show.”

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/avoids suffering

Episode 144, Steven Pinker x Richard Dawkins: Live in London (Part II - Audience Questions)

Welcome to Episode 144 (Part II of II), where Pinker and Dawkins take questions from the audience.

This is a live recording from our recent show – The Future of Humanity – held on 3 June 2025 at London’s Royal Institution Theatre.

The event was a conversation between psychologist Steven Pinker and biologist Richard Dawkins – both previous guests on The Panpsycast – exploring the evolution of human beings and the challenges we face in the future. Richard leads the discussion, questioning Steve about his extensive catalogue of books and his contributions to psychology, sociology, and evolutionary theory. They focus a lot on the past but, eventually, get on to the future. It’s a brilliant exchange, covering a wide range of topics and packed with some of Pinker’s most important insights.

The first part of this podcast special is their free-flowing conversation; the second is a Q&A with the audience, hosted by Jack. Thank you to everyone who came along and made the show possible. Without further ado, here’s the audio from our live show – we hope you enjoy the conversation.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/enters the future

Episode 144, Steven Pinker x Richard Dawkins: Live in London (Part I - The Future of Humanity)

Welcome to Episode 144 (Part I of II), where Richard Dawkins interviews Steven Pinker on the past and future of humanity.

This is a live recording from our recent show – The Future of Humanity – held on 3 June 2025 at London’s Royal Institution Theatre.

The event was a conversation between psychologist Steven Pinker and biologist Richard Dawkins – both previous guests on The Panpsycast – exploring the evolution of human beings and the challenges we face in the future. Richard leads the discussion, questioning Steve about his extensive catalogue of books and his contributions to psychology, sociology, and evolutionary theory. They focus a lot on the past but, eventually, get on to the future. It’s a brilliant exchange, covering a wide range of topics and packed with some of Pinker’s most important insights.

The first part of this podcast special is their free-flowing conversation; the second is a Q&A with the audience, hosted by Jack. Thank you to everyone who came along and made the show possible. Without further ado, here’s the audio from our live show – we hope you enjoy the conversation.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/enters the future

Episode 143, ‘The Philosophy of Mental Health’ with Rose Cartwright (Part II - Further Analysis and Discussion)

Welcome to Episode 143 (Part II of II), where we’ll be analysing Roses’s thoughts on the UK’s mental health system.

We’re living through a mental health crisis. In Europe, use of antidepressant has more than doubled in the past twenty years, and one in five children are now living with a recognised mental health condition. These numbers are striking, and the suffering they reflect personal, and clouded in mystery. But have we always been like this? Or has something shifted – in our politics, our culture, or perhaps in our understanding of what it means to be a person? Is the rise in mental health disorders a product of modern life, or are we simply more willing to talk about them? And what happens when system, designed to help us, ends up making us feel more broken, more stuck, and more alone?

In this episode, we’ll discussing these questions with Rose Cartwright – best-known as the author of Pure, a raw and radical memoir about living with OCD, which went on to become a popular Channel 4 television drama. Today, Rose is a screenwriter on the Netflix show 3 Body Problem, and her latest book, The Maps We Carry, takes a deep dive into the territory of trauma, healing, and the limits of the medical model.

As shall see, Rose’s work explores how our distress is shaped by the stories we tell – and the stories we’re told – about our minds. She asks whether we need new narratives, new frameworks, and even new states of consciousness to understand and transform our inner lives. Drawing on her own experiences – talking therapies, medications, psychedelic journeys, and the spaces in between – Rose invites us to imagine a more expansive approach to mental health. What does that expansive model look like? And is it really necessary? Well – lie back on the couch, take a deep breath… and let’s find out.

The file size is large, please be patient whilst the podcast buffers/downloads/enters a new state of being