Could the Universe Be Conscious?
Rowan Williams
85.11
28 January 2026
30 January 2026
Rowan Williams, Philip Goff, Anil Seth, and Laura Gow debate whether consciousness can or will be explained by science. Tickets for future events: www.theoramedia.com
This event was hosted at The Tung Auditorium, Yoko Ono Lennon Centre on 20 May 2022.
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Speakers
Rowan Williams – Former Archbishop of Canterbury
Anil Seth – Professor of Neuroscience, University of Sussex
Philip Goff – Professor of Philosophy, Durham University
Laura Gow – Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Liverpool
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
3:30 Anil Seth – Opening Statement
11:13 Philip Goff – Opening Statement
17:50 Laura Gow – Opening Statement
23:30 Rowan Williams – Opening Statement
30:52 Can Science Explain Consciousness?
42:00 What Is Consciousness, Really?
48:30 The Hard Problem – Can Physics Explain Qualia?
53:00 Audience Q&A
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Contact: [email protected]