The Big Idea

Consciousness: A Strange Theory


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Is consciousness everywhere? Human consciousness - our subjective experience - remains a mystery. How is it that we can smell coffee and feel the touch of a flower? How does the brain produce consciousness? Well, one of the world’s top philosophers, David Chalmers, has a suggestion. Perhaps consciousness exists everywhere, in some form; perhaps it exists in every subatomic particle – the particles that make up not just humans, but tables and chairs. It sounds completely wacky, but Professor Chalmers explains why it’s a theory worth taking seriously.

Presenter David Edmonds

Producer Ben Cooper

(Image: Glittering Particles Credit: Shutterstock)

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The Big IdeaBy BBC World Service

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