Jim Holt embarks on a profound journey, pondering the oldest and darkest question in philosophy: why is there something rather than nothing? In 'Why Does the World Exist?', Holt portrays himself as a cosmological sleuth, traversing the globe to interview leading figures in the realms of science and philosophy. With a blend of rigorous intellect and keen humor, he examines various theories, from the divine to the scientific, engaging with thinkers like an Oxford philosopher, a Nobel Laureate physicist, and a French Buddhist monk. As he weighs each idea against one another, Holt illuminates the depths of existential queries and the quest for understanding the very fabric of our reality.