Soul Dust: the magic of consciousness

How is consciousness possible? What biological purpose does it serve? Nicholas Humphrey has a radical new theory. Consciousness, he argues, is nothing less than a magical-mystery show that we stage inside our own heads – paving the way for spirituality, and allowing us to reap the rewards, and anxieties, of living in the 'soul niche'. Nicholas Humphrey is emeritus professor of psychology at LSE. His many books include A History of the Mind, Leaps of Faith and, most recently, Soul Dust. This lecture is supported by the LSE Annual Fund.