Physicist Alan Lightman on Spirituality in the Age of Science

Gazing at the stars, falling in love, or listening to music, we sometimes feel a transcendent connection with a cosmic unity and things larger than ourselves. But these experiences are not easily understood by science, which holds that all things can be explained in terms of atoms and molecules. Is there space in our scientific worldview for these spiritual experiences?
According to acclaimed physicist and novelist Alan Lightman, there may be. In his latest book "The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science," and his new public television mini-series, "SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science," Lightman draws on intellectual history and conversations with contemporary scientists, philosophers, and psychologists and asks a series of thought-provoking questions that illuminate our strange place between the world of particles and forces and the world of complex human experience. Can strict materialism explain our appreciation of beauty? Or our feelings of connection to nature and to other people? Is there a physical basis for consciousness, the most slippery of all scientific problems?
Lightman weaves these investigations together to propose what he calls “spiritual materialism”-the belief that we can embrace spiritual experiences without letting go of our scientific worldview. In his view, the breadth of the human condition is not only rooted in material atoms and molecules but can also be explained in terms of Darwinian evolution.
Follow Alan Lightman on this enlightening journey that reveals spirituality may not only be compatible with science, it also ought to remain at the core of what it means to be human. Lightman is joined in conversation with Tim McHenry, Deputy Executive Director of the Rubin Museum of Art.
"SEARCHING" was funded by The John Templeton Foundation. More information about the series can be found here: searchingformeaning.org/
This project is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Program in Public Understanding of Science and Technology, bridging the two cultures of science and the arts.
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[@MikeAPRN]

Very interesting talk, thank you! Wish it was longer and Alan had more time to talk. Looking forward to checking out his book and the television mini-series 🌃🧠

[@mihailmilev9909]

What are they about?

[@ehteshamihsan]

59:36 This question reminds me of the quote of Ibn Arabi from his book "Journey to the Lord of Power"
"the Journey to the Lord of Power and the arrival in His presence, and the return, through Him, from Him and to His Creation, without seperation. Certainly there is nothing in existence except God Most High, High attributes and His actions. If He were to be veiled from the world for the blink of an eye, the world would vanish at one stroke, it only remains through His preserving and watching over it"

[@nick8252]

29:00

[@lokeshparihar7672]

30:44 clip of his experience continues

[@shadowoffire4307]

Spirituality in age of science and science in age of spirituality are both relevant. What we don't need and want is hard core fanatic dualistic abharmics religions and thier personal god and personality oriented god, this religions cuse evil in the world and we don't need scientism and physicalism and most resolute materialism which is becoming like religion. But sadly like religions it seems extremists have took over stage in sciences too.

[@joseloayza4825]

You invited an atheist materialist to a discussion of meaning and purpose. That’s like inviting a POW who has been fed moldy bread and water for years to a king’s feast filled with food and wine connoisseurs and expect him to give an illuminating opinion on the various dishes and delicacies. His pállate isn’t there…

[@uncannyironkyke]

Terence Mckenna he was not