Alan Lightman, an astrophysicist and writer of both non-fiction and fiction, will speak about Probable Impossibilities at the University Forum.

Lightman's work explores how we understand our place in the universe. As a scientist, he made contributions to theories of astrophysical processes under extreme temperatures and densities. As a philosopher, he “aims,” as the New York Times wrote, “to ignite a sense of wonder in any reader who’s ever pondered the universe, our world, and the nature of human consciousness.”

As a novelist, in works such as Einstein’s Dreams and Mr g, he seeks to bridge science and philosophy. Probable Impossibilities, his most recent work, is a collection of essays on the possibilities of nothingness and infinity. He is a Professor of Practice of the Humanities at MIT, recipient of six honorary degrees, and winner of countless awards, both literary and scholarly.