How do we make sense of the world? Throughout history we have told ourselves stories to try and find out what it all means: our place in a small corner of one of billions of galaxies, at the end of billions of years of existence. Richard Holloway takes us on a personal, scientific and philosophical journey to explore what he believes to be the answers to the biggest questions. He examines what we know about the universe, the stories we have told about where we come from, and the stories we tell to get through this muddling experience of life. Holloway is in discussion with political philosopher John Gray.

Please note: this is a pre-recorded event.

Stories We Tell Ourselves: Making Meaning in a Meaningless Universeis published by Canongate Books. Buy a copy from our friends at Waterstones.

It's important to us that ideas and debate are affordable to everyone. It's also important that our commentators, artists, writers, poets and thinkers are paid. This is a Pay What You Can event. You are invited to choose your own contribution to the event, from £0 to £8. All proceeds go towards supporting our speakers and sustaining Festival of Ideas. The option to attend for free is available for all online events.

Festival of Ideas: Richard Holloway and John Gray