How does self-awareness connect us to others, society, and the universe? 4 experts explain.

Christof Koch, PhD, Daniel Dennett, PhD, Sam Harris, PhD, and Deepak Chopra, MD—four thinkers from neuroscience, philosophy, biology, and medicine—each share their own interpretation of consciousness, combining their ideas to paint one massive, mysterious picture of what it means to be an awakened being.

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About Christof Koch, PhD:

Christof Koch is a Meritorious Investigator at the Allen Institute for Brain Science and Chief Scientist at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation. He is a pioneering neuroscientist celebrated for his influential work on the neuronal basis of consciousness, including jointly developing Integrated Information Theory and exploring the neural correlates of conscious experience.

About Daniel Dennett, PhD:

Daniel C. Dennett was the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy and director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University.

About Sam Harris, PhD:

Mr. Harris is a graduate in philosophy from Stanford University and holds a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, where he studied the neural basis of belief with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). He is also a Co-Founder and CEO of Project Reason.

About Deepak Chopra, MD:

Deepak Chopra MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation and co-founder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, is a medical doctor, public speaker, and author of 90 books, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. He is regarded as a major advocate for the use of alternative medicine.