Alive: What Life Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
The Royal Institution of Great Britain , 21 Albemarle Street , London, W1S 4BS
Alive: What Life Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
21 Albemarle Street , London, W1S 4BS
Description
Living beings are not machines, but embodied, self-organising entities whose activity is directed towards staying alive. In this thought-provoking conversation, author Melanie Challenger is joined by biochemist Nick Lane and science writer Philip Ball to explore some of the most fundamental questions in science and philosophy.
Drawing on Melanie’s new book ‘Alive’, alongside Nick and Philip’s own research, the discussion ranges from the origins of life and the energetic principles that sustain it to emerging ideas about agency, individuality and what distinguishes living beings from inert matter.
Together, they will consider whether recent advances in biology are changing our understanding of life, undermining older ideas of life-forms either gene-driven machines or something more. Join Melanie, Nick and Philip as they approach these questions from different perspectives, and ask what it means to think of living beings as embodied and purposive in their own right.
How To Get Your Tickets
1. Book your desired number of tickets and await an email from us confirming your order. This is NOT a ticket.
2. Present your confirmation on arrival at the venue. Ensure that you take personal ID with you or you may be turned away
Pricing Information
• There is the option to book Free Tickets with £5 Donation + TFG booking fees - the full £5 donation goes straight to the Royal Institution to continue their excellent scientific education work.
Additional Information
• For further event information please visit here
Accessibility Information
• Please note: We recommend, where you have specific access requirements, bookings are made directly through the event organiser, however, we are here to assist where possible. Please get in touch with us prior to booking if you have access requirements. For accessibility information please visit here
Key Terms of Sale
• Tickets are non-refundable / non-exchangeable
• Tickets cannot be resold or transferred
• The account holder must be in attendance at the event
These are the key terms. Full terms apply and are available here
Genre
Dates & times
Thursday, 16 Jul 2026 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Important information - please read
Living beings are not machines, but embodied, self-organising entities whose activity is directed towards staying alive. In this thought-provoking conversation, author Melanie Challenger is joined by biochemist Nick Lane and science writer Philip Ball to explore some of the most fundamental questions in science and philosophy.
Drawing on Melanie’s new book ‘Alive’, alongside Nick and Philip’s own research, the discussion ranges from the origins of life and the energetic principles that sustain it to emerging ideas about agency, individuality and what distinguishes living beings from inert matter.
Together, they will consider whether recent advances in biology are changing our understanding of life, undermining older ideas of life-forms either gene-driven machines or something more. Join Melanie, Nick and Philip as they approach these questions from different perspectives, and ask what it means to think of living beings as embodied and purposive in their own right.
How To Get Your Tickets
1. Book your desired number of tickets and await an email from us confirming your order. This is NOT a ticket.
2. Present your confirmation on arrival at the venue. Ensure that you take personal ID with you or you may be turned away
Pricing Information
• There is the option to book Free Tickets with £5 Donation + TFG booking fees - the full £5 donation goes straight to the Royal Institution to continue their excellent scientific education work.
Additional Information
• For further event information please visit here
Accessibility Information
• Please note: We recommend, where you have specific access requirements, bookings are made directly through the event organiser, however, we are here to assist where possible. Please get in touch with us prior to booking if you have access requirements. For accessibility information please visit here
Key Terms of Sale
• Tickets are non-refundable / non-exchangeable
• Tickets cannot be resold or transferred
• The account holder must be in attendance at the event
These are the key terms. Full terms apply and are available here
Genre
Tickets
You may purchase a maximum of 4 tickets for this event.Location
The Royal Institution of Great Britain
21 Albemarle Street
London
W1S 4BS