Name: Rowan Williams with Philip Goff WHY?
Start: 2026-09-07T17:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-09-07T18:30:00+01:00
Location: Blackwell's Bookshop

Bishop Rowan Williams joins Philip Goff to talk about Philip's book 'Why? The Purpose of the Universe'
About this Event

Why? The Purpose of the Universe

Western thought has been dominated by the dichotomy of traditional religion and secular atheism. But do we have to choose between these options? In this pioneering work, Philip Goff argues that it is time to move on from both God and atheism. Through an exploration of contemporary cosmology and cutting-edge philosophical research on consciousness, Goff argues for cosmic purpose: the idea that the universe is directed towards certain goals, such as the emergence of life. In contrast to religious thinkers, Goff argues that the traditional God is a bad explanation of cosmic purpose. Instead, he explores a range of alternative possibilities for accounting for cosmic purpose, from the speculation that we live in a computer simulation to the hypothesis that the universe itself is a conscious mind. Goff scrutinizes these options with analytical rigour, laying the foundations for a new paradigm of philosophical enquiry into the middle ground between God and atheism. Ultimately, Goff outlines a way of living in hope that cosmic purpose is still unfolding, involving political engagement and a non-literalist interpretation of traditional religion.

Philip Goff

Philip Goff is a philosopher of mind who teaches at Durham University. He has more than 40 academic publications and is the author ofConsciousness and Fundamental Reality. Goff has published numerous articles in newspapers and magazines, such asThe Guardian and theTimes Literary Supplement, and has guest edited an edition ofPhilosophy Now magazine.

Rowan Williams

Dr Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, PC, FBA, FRSL, FLSW is an Anglican bishop and former Archbishop of Canterbury. Williams is acknowledged internationally as an outstanding theological writer, scholar and teacher. He has been involved in many theological, ecumenical and educational commissions. He has written extensively across a very wide range of related fields of professional study such as philosophy, theology (especially early and patristic Christianity), spirituality and religious aesthetics. He has also written throughout his career on moral, ethical and social topics.