Talks and shows

Sentience: The mystery of consciousness

Neuropyschologist Nicholas Humphrey explores the mysteries of human (and non-human) consciousness.

Gerd Altmann via Pixabay

Join renowned psychologist and philosopher Nicholas Humphrey as he presents his theory of 'phenomenal consciousness', in full for the first time.

Weaving together leading-edge science and personal breakthrough experiences, Nicholas provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of consciousness. He discusses discovering blindsight in monkeys, hanging out with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, to becoming a leading philosopher of the mind; all leading to a scientific understanding of consciousness and his theory as to how conscious feeling is generated in the human brain.

This theory also provides the foundation for Nicholas' controversial opinion - in contrast to broad scientific opinion - that phenomenal consciousness is only present in warm-blooded creatures such as mammals and birds, and not invertebrates like octopuses and bees, despite their known intelligence.

Join us and expand your understanding of consciousness and get involved in this complex and contentious area of science.

Copies of Nicholas' latest book 'Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness' are available to purchase after the talk.

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

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For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Nicholas Humphrey

A man is looking towards the camera
Nicholas Humphrey

Nicholas Keynes Humphrey is an English neuropsychologist based in Cambridge, known for his work on evolution of primate intelligence and consciousness. He has been lecturer in psychology at Oxford, assistant director of the Subdepartment of Animal Behaviour at Cambridge, senior research fellow at Cambridge, professor of psychology at the New School for Social Research, New York, and school professor at the London School of Economics.

Humphrey played a significant role in the anti-nuclear movement in the late 1970s and delivered the BBC Bronowski memorial lecture titled "Four Minutes to Midnight" in 1981.

He has written 10 books and received several honours, including the Martin Luther King Memorial Prize, the Pufendorf Medal and the British Psychological Society's book award. He is the only scientist to have edited the literary journal Granta.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions

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