In Part 2, Lightman pursues the question of consciousness. In particular, he devotes the second half of the program to a conversation with Bina48, a robot introduced in 2010 with various updates since then. This raises the question of whether we would recognize emergent consciousness if we saw it, and what consciousness really is.

What is your opinion?

Alan Lightman of MIT is hosting a series of TV episodes, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, entitled "SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science." As the attached article in Science magazine portrays, he raises questions about meaning in the light of modern science. While he asserts a materialistic position, he primarily raises important questions with little in-depth discussion.

In this ASA blog, we encourage ASA members to comment and carry on a dialog about perspectives that Christians in the sciences may have.

The Series can be seen in its entirety at bb. Local PBS stations will be airing the series throughout January and February.