Alan Lightman is a theoretical physicist and has always seen the world as a place governed by unbreakable laws. But those laws never did a very good job explaining some of the most important moments of his life, moments when he felt a profound connection to the world. A journey to understand some of those transcendent moments has opened his appreciation to multiple ways of knowing and being in the world.

In this conversation he tells some of the stories of the moments that led him on this journey, and discusses the nature of consciousness, the moral responsibility of computers, and models a posture of curiosity and graciousness in conversation.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Youth Faire and Magnetize Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.