SHOW / EPISODE

EP23 | Why Are Billionaires Obsessed With Consciousness?

42m | Aug 21, 2026

If materialism has successfully explained the universe, why is everyone suddenly searching for the soul again? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, Joshua Farris explores the unprecedented, renewed cultural obsession with consciousness. From Silicon Valley tech elites pouring billions into consciousness research to the cultural rise of the occult, psychedelic experimentation, and near-death experiences, society is desperately trying to rediscover the unseen realm.


We discuss why the materialistic, secular worldview has failed to answer our deepest questions and how the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence is forcing humanity to ask an ancient question: What actually makes us human? At the root of every major cultural debate today, from abortion and gender to transhumanism and AI, is a battle over anthropology. If we want to navigate the future and reclaim human dignity, we must reclaim the Christian doctrine of the human soul. 


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IN THIS EPISODE:


The Failure of Materialism: Why the idea that humans are merely biological machines is crumbling, leaving a "thin world" devoid of mystery.


The AI Identity Crisis: How artificial intelligence is forcing society to reconsider what truly sets humans apart from machines.


Follow the Money: Why tech leaders, billionaires, and Silicon Valley are heavily funding fringe consciousness research.


The Return of the Occult: How the loss of transcendence has fueled an explosion of interest in astrology, near-death experiences, and neopaganism.


Anthropology is Everything: Why debates about AI, euthanasia, and gender are ultimately arguments about human nature.


CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro: Why are billionaires obsessed with consciousness?

4:21 The story we've been told by secular materialism

8:02 Follow the money: funding consciousness and AI

9:28 The rise of near-death experiences and psychedelic research

13:20 How AI is forcing us to ask: What makes us human?

21:33 The "hard problem" of consciousness in philosophy

25:09 Silicon Valley's fascination with the occult and neopaganism

32:15 The ancient questions of the soul and meaning

38:57 Christianity's greatest gift: the image of God

41:28 Why every cultural debate is an argument about anthropology


RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Why Souls by Joshua Farris

Encountering Mystery by Dale Allison

Charles Taylor on "buffered selves"


Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/


#Consciousness #ArtificialIntelligence #Theology #JoshuaFarris #ChristianWorldview #Anthropology #Transhumanism

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