David Chalmers | Reality+

2022 has been described as the year of the “metaverse”, when online,” virtual” worlds will begin to become an everyday part of our lives. What will that mean for our understanding of “reality”? How might it change our understanding of such fundamental concepts as identity, sex, death, community and friendship? Would it be possible to lead your whole life in a virtual world and find it meaningful and fulfilling? And, anyway, how do we know we are not living in a Matrix-like computer simulation, an experiment by a technologically advanced civilisation? Some scientists think that this explanation of our existence is more likely than not.

Launching this year’s Big Bang Week, we’re delighted to welcome one of the world’s most respected philosophers, David J Chalmers, to join us live from New York to discuss his mind-bending new book and take your questions.

About the speaker

David J Chalmers is University Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Mind, Brain and Consciousness at New York University. He has given the John Locke lectures and has been awarded both the Jean Nicod and the Jon Barwise prizes. The Philosophers’ Magazine ranked him as the second-most important living philosopher, and he ranked 16th on Prospect magazine's 2015 list of the 100 most important world thinkers. He is the author of The Conscious Mind which has been translated into 10 languages. Australian by birth, he lives in New York. http://consc.net/chalmers/