Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I discuss and debate the merits of drug-induced experiences for one's religious beliefs, the difference panpsychism makes, the distinction between God's essence and energies, and giant purple platypuses floating over New York City.
This interview is also available as a podcast:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/86-from-toad-venom-to-jesus-cross-examining-philip-goff/id1776277450?i=1000770050484
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1ecI6f7Izel0u55kILC7YM?si=7f1df2a1d6dd40ce
Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.com/publish/post/199616435?r=1pf1v9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Check out my Substack where you can get a paid membership because you're awesome: mileskdonahue.substack.com
To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue.
Follow me on X: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Philip’s book ‘Why? The Purpose of the Universe’: amazon.com/Why-Purpose-Universe-Philip-Goff/dp/0198883765
Philip’s book ‘Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness’: amazon.com/Galileos-Error-Foundations-Science-Consciousness/dp/1524747963
Philip’s channel youtube.com/@philipgoffphilosophy
Philip’s Substack philipgoff.substack.com
Philip’s X: twitter.com/Philip_Goff
Philip's Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/philipgoff.bsky.social
Philip’s website: philipgoffphilosophy.com
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:32 What is 5-MeO-DMT?
00:02:07 Why Philip Goff tried toad venom
00:05:02 What the experience was like
00:07:13 Can you experience yourself not existing?
00:13:00 Was ego death terrifying?
00:17:03 William Lane Craig’s reaction
00:19:57 What is a structureless claim?
00:22:52 The content of mystical experience
00:25:39 Does 5-MeO-DMT support panpsychism?
00:33:15 Why trust a drug-induced experience?
00:40:08 Experience versus interpretation
00:43:54 Is Goff projecting panpsychism onto the experience?
00:46:03 What would defeat the experience?
00:51:25 How does this fit with Christianity?
00:57:19 Divine essence, energies, and simplicity
01:04:19 Why Christianity specifically?
01:08:26 Why not deism or another religion?
01:14:23 Does Goff believe in an afterlife?
01:16:43 Near-death experiences and consciousness
01:18:37 What is Goff most uncertain of?
I discuss and debate the merits of drug-induced experiences for one's religious beliefs, the difference panpsychism makes, the distinction between God's essence and energies, and giant purple platypuses floating over New York City.
This interview is also available as a podcast:
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/86-from-toad-venom-to-jesus-cross-examining-philip-goff/id1776277450?i=1000770050484
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1ecI6f7Izel0u55kILC7YM?si=7f1df2a1d6dd40ce
Substack: mileskdonahue.substack.com/publish/post/199616435?r=1pf1v9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Check out my Substack where you can get a paid membership because you're awesome: mileskdonahue.substack.com
To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue.
Follow me on X: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
Philip’s book ‘Why? The Purpose of the Universe’: amazon.com/Why-Purpose-Universe-Philip-Goff/dp/0198883765
Philip’s book ‘Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness’: amazon.com/Galileos-Error-Foundations-Science-Consciousness/dp/1524747963
Philip’s channel youtube.com/@philipgoffphilosophy
Philip’s Substack philipgoff.substack.com
Philip’s X: twitter.com/Philip_Goff
Philip's Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/philipgoff.bsky.social
Philip’s website: philipgoffphilosophy.com
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:32 What is 5-MeO-DMT?
00:02:07 Why Philip Goff tried toad venom
00:05:02 What the experience was like
00:07:13 Can you experience yourself not existing?
00:13:00 Was ego death terrifying?
00:17:03 William Lane Craig’s reaction
00:19:57 What is a structureless claim?
00:22:52 The content of mystical experience
00:25:39 Does 5-MeO-DMT support panpsychism?
00:33:15 Why trust a drug-induced experience?
00:40:08 Experience versus interpretation
00:43:54 Is Goff projecting panpsychism onto the experience?
00:46:03 What would defeat the experience?
00:51:25 How does this fit with Christianity?
00:57:19 Divine essence, energies, and simplicity
01:04:19 Why Christianity specifically?
01:08:26 Why not deism or another religion?
01:14:23 Does Goff believe in an afterlife?
01:16:43 Near-death experiences and consciousness
01:18:37 What is Goff most uncertain of?
