All over the world, people are asking the same questions: Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? What does it mean to be happy? Is there such a thing as evil? Does God really exist? This September, through the brilliant minds and personal struggles of two of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, PBS presents an emotional and intellectual journey into the meaning of life.

This four-hour series explores, in accessible and dramatic style, issues that preoccupy all thinking people today: What is happiness? How do we find meaning and purpose in our lives? How do we reconcile conflicting claims of love and sexuality? How do we cope with the problem of suffering and the inevitability of death? Based on a popular Harvard course taught by Dr. Armand M Nicholi — author of the book, “The Question of God” — the series illustrates the lives and insights of Sigmund Freud, a life-long critic of religious belief, and C. S. Lewis, a celebrated Oxford don, literary critic and perhaps this century’s most influential and popular proponent of faith based on reason.

“It may be that Freud and Lewis represent conflicting parts of ourselves”, Dr. Nicholi notes. “Part of us yearns for a relationship with the source of all joy, hope and happiness, as described by Lewis, and yet there is another part that raises its fist in defiance and says with Freud — ‘I will not surrender.’ Whatever part we choose to express will determine our purpose, our identity, and our whole philosophy of life.”

“The series presents a unique dialogue between Freud, the atheist, and Lewis, the believer,” says Catherine Tatge, Director of the series. “We add to this a lively discussion among a group of articulate thinkers, led by Dr. Nicholi, with truly diverse views of faith.”

Through dramatic reconstruction, lively discussion led by Dr. Nicholi, and commentary from other experts, Freud and Lewis are brought together in a debate where the actual incidents and emotional turning points in their respective lives fuel the controversy centering on the central question of human existence: Does God really exist?

Produced by Tatge-Lasseur Productions in association with WGBH and Walden Media. Director Catherine Tatge; Producer Dominique Lasseur; Executive Producers Mike Sullivan, Catherine Tatge, Doug Holladay

Link: www.pbs.org/questionofgod