Human Consciousness and Its Evolution: A Multidimensional View - Softcover

Coan, Richard W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1481736264 ISBN 13: 9781481736268

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2013

Synopsis

How has human consciousness evolved from its primitive origins, and what course will it take in the future? How should it develop in an individual from infancy and through childhood and the adult years? Such questions have been the focus of many writers and many religious and philosophical traditions, both Eastern and Western. Most writers and traditions conceive of psychic evolution in terms of one universal pattern, and the evolutionary goal considered by a given writer or tradition may be one of rationality, love, or transcendence of one's individual separateness. The author contends that we may conceptualize the goal of psychic evolution in terms of any of five different modes of fulfillment. We can recognize higher and lower levels of attainment in each of these modes. Whatever mode an individual emphasizes, it is easy to recognize a value in having access to other modes. In the author's view, we need to recognize alternative pathways of psychic evolution. The pathways will differ with respect to the modes that are emphasized and the nature of the interplay of different modes.

About this title

Review

"This book focuses on psychic evolution and examines the roots and presuppositions of evolutionary theories. It explores the possible goals of human psychic development, the origins of human consciousness, and various conceptions of psychic development in the Occidental and Oriental world. In the final chapter, Coan presents a comprehensive multidemensional view of human psychic development. Coan maintains that the goal of human consciousness must be understood as the maximization of all our potentials for perceiving, understanding, and judging; that maximazation requires that we have ready access to all these potentials. It also means that we are able to choose the states of consiousness and modes of awareness that best meet our needs. Readers who follow the running debate on this fascinating issue will find this book a gold mine. Suitable for the professional and general reader alike."-Choice

?This book focuses on psychic evolution and examines the roots and presuppositions of evolutionary theories. It explores the possible goals of human psychic development, the origins of human consciousness, and various conceptions of psychic development in the Occidental and Oriental world. In the final chapter, Coan presents a comprehensive multidemensional view of human psychic development. Coan maintains that the goal of human consciousness must be understood as the maximization of all our potentials for perceiving, understanding, and judging; that maximazation requires that we have ready access to all these potentials. It also means that we are able to choose the states of consiousness and modes of awareness that best meet our needs. Readers who follow the running debate on this fascinating issue will find this book a gold mine. Suitable for the professional and general reader alike.?-Choice

About the Author

Richard W. Coan is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology. As a Professor at the University of Arizona, he specialized in personality theory and did research with both children and adults. Throughout his life, he has pursued interests in Jungian theory, the psychology of religion, Eastern thought, mythology, and archetypal symbolism. In addition to writings in psychology, he has composed music and written poetry and novels.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1481736264
• ISBN 13: 9781481736268
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 308