Consciousness: An Introduction - Hardcover

Blackmore, Susan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195153421 ISBN 13: 9780195153422

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 2003

Synopsis

Is there a theory that explains the essence of consciousness? Or is consciousness itself just an illusion? The "last great mystery of science," consciousness was excluded from serious research for most of the last century, but is now a rapidly expanding area of study for students of psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience.
Designed for upper-level undergraduate courses on consciousness, this groundbreaking text is the first volume to bring together all the major theories of consciousness studies--from those rooted in neuroscience to those based on quantum theory or Eastern philosophy. Broadly interdisciplinary, Consciousness: An Introduction is divided into nine sections that examine such topics as how subjective experiences arise from objective brain processes; the basic neuroscience and neuropathology of consciousness; altered states of consciousness; mystical experiences and dreams; and the effects of drugs and meditation. It also discusses the nature of self, the possibility of artificial consciousness in robots, and the question of whether or not animals are conscious. Enhanced by numerous illustrations and profiles of important researchers, the text is also supported by many pedagogical aids including classroom exercises, self-assessment questions, further reading suggestions, and practical exercises that help bring the subject to life.

About this title

Review

"This is an extraordinary book. Consciousness is a swamp, a hornet's nest, a morass of competing theories and rival projects. It takes guts to put together a book like this one that seeks to present a truly general overview of the literature, ranging from philosophy of mind, through discussions in
the fast-developing field of cognitive neuroscience, to the hot and fraught issues of the paranormal, lucid dreaming, and altered states of consciousness. Sue Blackmore carries off this ambitious project! There are lots of people who are expert in one, two or three of the areas she discusses, but
almost no one who is deeply conversant, as she appears to be, with all of them."--Alva Noe, University of California, Berkeley
"This is an extraordinary book. Consciousness is a swamp, a hornet's nest, a morass of competing theories and rival projects. It takes guts to put together a book like this one that seeks to present a truly general overview of the literature, ranging from philosophy of mind, through discussions in
the fast-developing field of cognitive neuroscience, to the hot and fraught issues of the paranormal, lucid dreaming, and altered states of consciousness. Sue Blackmore carries off this ambitious project! There are lots of people who are expert in one, two or three of the areas she discusses, but
almost no one who is deeply conversant, as she appears to be, with all of them."--Alva Noe, University of California, Berkeley
"This is an extraordinary book. Consciousness is a swamp, a hornet's nest, a morass of competing theories and rival projects. It takes guts to put together a book like this one that seeks to present a truly general overview of the literature, ranging from philosophy of mind, through discussions in the fast-developing field of cognitive neuroscience, to the hot and fraught issues of the paranormal, lucid dreaming, and altered states of consciousness. Sue Blackmore carries off this ambitious project! There are lots of people who are expert in one, two or three of the areas she discusses, but almost no one who is deeply conversant, as she appears to be, with all of them."--Alva Noe, University of California, Berkeley
"This is an extraordinary book. Consciousness is a swamp, a hornet's nest, a morass of competing theories and rival projects. It takes guts to put together a book like this one that seeks to present a truly general overview of the literature, ranging from philosophy of mind, through discussions in the fast-developing field of cognitive neuroscience, to the hot and fraught issues of the paranormal, lucid dreaming, and altered states of consciousness. Sue Blackmore carries off this ambitious project! There are lots of people who are expert in one, two or three of the areas she discusses, but almost no one who is deeply conversant, as she appears to be, with all of them."--Alva Noe, University of California, Berkeley

About the Author

Susan Blackmore is a full time writer, lecturer and broadcaster, whose previous books include the controversial bestseller The Meme Machine (OUP, 1999)

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195153421
• ISBN 13: 9780195153422
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 480