He was a philosopher, paleontologist, Jesuit priest—and far more than the sum of these disparate labels. Illuminating the life and work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, this program examines his origins, his difficulties with Catholic orthodoxy, and his legacy as a major contributor to the “living Earth” theory. Interviewing scientists and religious leaders influenced by Teilhard, the program describes his anthropological achievements and explains concepts he invented—such as the noosphere and the Omega point—that helped to establish the Gaia hypothesis and similar worldviews. The result is an engaging portrait of a visionary whose ideas remain relevant in today’s debate over intelligent design. (60 minutes)