The philosopher Rene Descartes famously declared 'I think therefore I am' - and modern neuroscience is giving us intriguing glimpses of what that means in terms of specific neuronal activity in our brains.

Developments in imaging techniques over the past 20 years - particularly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which allows researchers to see what is happening in our brains in real time while we perform specific tasks - have made it possible to translate metaphysical debate about how we know ourselves into one about material reality.

A core of Trust-funded researchers are investigating the precise nature of some of the most elusive aspects of our minds - including our consciousness, love of beauty, and the source of our emotions.