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What is consciousness? - Michael S. A. Graziano

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Patient P.S. suffered a stroke that damaged the right side of her brain, leaving her unaware of everything on her left side. If someone threw a ball at her left side, she might duck. But she wouldn’t have awareness of the ball or know why she ducked. Where does consciousness come from? Michael Graziano explores the question that has vexed scientists and philosophers for centuries.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Michael S. A. Graziano
  • Director Biljana Labović
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Designer Janis Aussel
  • Animator Janis Aussel
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Here are links to other material about this topic:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj7n6g3e6N8
2. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/06/how-consciousness-evolved/485558/
3. https://aeon.co/essays/how-consciousness-works-and-why-we-believe-in-ghosts

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Michael S. A. Graziano
  • Director Biljana Labović
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Designer Janis Aussel
  • Animator Janis Aussel
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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