Science of the Soul

Science of the Soul

70 and 90 minutes • Documentary • Produced in association with: Vision TV and History Television • Production year: 2009/2010

Do human beings have souls? From the beginning of human awareness – no matter the context and no matter the age – the answer was always “yes”. All cultures have universally argued that human beings are “ensouled”.

About a hundred years ago, however, scientists decided that the “soul” is not a proper subject of scientific investigation – consciousness replaced soul. Then, the brain replaced consciousness.

Suddenly, through this scientific slight of hand, the possibility arose that artificial intelligence can replace the brain and, as a result, machines could become human. According to this view, consciousness “emerges” at the most sophisticated levels of brain function. Lately, this perspective has led some scientists to argue that within 20-30 years AI, robotics and biological brains will converge to create a cyborg/Matrix like reality where there is, essentially, no difference between humans and machines.

Science of the Soul is a feature length documentary investigation into these life and death issues. From robotics to near death experiences, from attempts to achieve altered states of consciousness in the jungles of Peru to an exploration of infant state of mind, Science of the Soul explores the cutting-edge of consciousness related science to determine whether we are about to experience a new step in human evolution or the death of the human soul.

70 MINUTE VERSION
Written and Directed By: Simcha Jacobovici
Location Director: Bruce Thorson
Producer: Ric Esther Bienstock
Executive Producer: Simcha Jacobovici
Co-Executive Producer: Alberta Nokes

90 MINUTE VERSION
Written and Directed By: Gary Lang
Supervising Producer: Kathryn Liptrott
Executive Producers: Simcha Jacobovici and Ric Esther Bienstock
Co-Executive Producer: Alberta Nokes

Award Highlights:

• Official selection, 46th Annual Academia Film Olomouc, Czech Republic
• CINE Golden Eagle Award
• Wilbur Award
• HeSCA Elmer Friman “Best of Show” Award
• HeSCA Gold Award

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