It is a fascinating idea to ask a crop of scientists whether there is anything that can’t be explained by science. Even more probing, to ask if there is anything it should not try to explain. The people chosen, including Michael Brooks, Derek Burke, Richard Swinburne, Martin Rees, Richard Dawkins, are all scientists at the top of their field, whether it is space or biochemistry.

Many of us think too much, and we know it, but can we grasp the value of unthinking? Unthinking means we have had these thoughts before, but we don’t need them now. Typically, a sportsperson who is incredibly skilled has learned everything she needs to know but, when necessary, she becomes unthinking. If an athlete starts thinking at a crucial moment, he becomes too self conscious and is liable to ‘choke’. Too much thinking impedes physical grace.