Consciousness is one of the biggest Mysteries of the Universe. What if consciousness isn’t a mysterious aspect of the universe—but its very foundation? In this thought-provoking talk, a philosopher challenges conventional science and revives a bold, forgotten theory: that consciousness pervades all matter.

Why did the experience of consciousness evolve from our underlying brain physiology? Despite being a vibrant area of neuroscience, current research on consciousness is characterised by disagreement and controversy – with several rival theories in contention.

Is there Consciousness beyond the Brain? What if consciousness isn’t a mysterious aspect of the universe—but its very foundation? In this thought-provoking talk, a philosopher challenges conventional science and revives a bold, forgotten theory: that consciousness pervades all matter. From quarks to brains, could experience be woven into the fabric of reality itself?

Consciousness is one of the biggest Mysteries of the Universe. Consciousness is, for each of us, all there is: the world, the self, everything. But consciousness is also subjective and difficult to define. The closest we have to a consensus definition is that consciousness is “something it is like to be”. There is something it is like to be me or you – but presumably there is nothing it is like to be a table or an iPhone.

Intrinsic Nature means Belonging to the Essential Nature of a Thing.

The definition of our own species isn’t as clear cut as many might think. Explore the intricate nuances of our identity, examining factors like bipedalism, brain development, and societal structures.