
#4. Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question.
Uncommon Ground with Justin BrierleyShow Notes
Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God. They discuss left and right brain hemispheres, panpsychism, theories of consciousness and how meditation and prayer affect our psychology. Seth also describes his atheist-agnostic worldview, and McGilchrist explains his recent embrace of Christian faith.Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: [email protected]
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
For Iain McGilchrist: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/home/For Anil Seth: https://www.anilseth.com/A production of Think Faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Uncommon Ground with Justin Brierley
Is Trump the president that Christians need? Justin Brierley is joined by radio host and author Eric Metaxas, and New York Times columnist and podcast host Ross Douthat. Both are Christians, both are friends, but they hold very different opinions about the Trump presidency. A special, extra episode of Uncommon Ground for season one, recorded at the ARC 2026 Conference in London!For Eric Metaxas: https://ericmetaxas.com/For Ross Douthat: https://www.nytimes.com/column/ross-douthatRecorded at ARC 2026: https://www.arc-conference.com/
Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Two same-sex attracted Christians join Justin Brierley to discuss why they disagree on sexuality, marriage, celibacy and scripture.
Justin is joined by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst to discuss the question: 'Is Christian theism compatible with our best understanding of the nature of time?'Craig defends the 'A-Theory' - that time flows from past, to present, to future. Qureshi-Hurst defends the 'B-Theory' - that all times exist at once. In a mind-expanding conversation, they discuss the implications of their different views for the nature of God and the doctrine of salvation in Christian faith, and how we should interpret the physics of spacetime!
Over 250,000 pregnancies are terminated in the UK every year. Is access to abortion a woman's right or the taking of an innocent life? Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engages Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They join Justin Brierley to discuss when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have become friends.
Did the Universe have a 'beginning'? Is the Cosmos 'finely-tuned' for life? And do these phenomena point to God?Stephen C Meyer, author of 'Return of the God Hypothesis' debates Phil Halper, co-author of 'Battle of the Big Bang' in a lively 3 hour conversation hosted by Justin Brierley.