What It Means to be Human

Drawing on a range of disciplines, this provocative program looked at how discoveries in areas like fundamental physics, anthropology, and genomics are influencing our understanding of uniquely human characteristics. As science increasingly tests these boundaries — from the roots of morality and our capacity to contemplate our own existence to the emergence of artificial intelligence — what will it mean to be human?

This program is part of the Big Ideas Series, made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.

The World Science Festival gathers great minds in science and the arts to produce live and digital content that allows a broad general audience to engage with scientific discoveries. Our mission is to cultivate a general public informed by science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future.
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Original Program Date: May 31, 2008
Moderator: Charlie Rose
Participants: Daniel C. Dennett, Antonio Damasio, Francis Collins, Jonathan Harris, Renee Reijo Pera, Patricia Churchland, Nikolas Rose, Jim Gates, Marvin Minsky, Paul Nurse, Ian Tattersall, Harold Varmus

Charlie Rose introduction. 00:41

Participant introductions. 04:03

What does it mean to be human? 07:57

What does the genome tell us about being human?15:22

How far along are we in understanding why we are different? 28:45

Is there anything that will change what it means to be human? 42:02

If reason is determined then where is free will? 01:02:30

Final thoughts? 01:16:47