Consciousness Explained (Paperback)

Daniel C. Dennett

ISBN 10: 0140128670 / ISBN 13: 9780140128673

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, London, 1993

About this Item

Paperback. This book revises the traditional view of consciousness by claiming that Cartesianism and Descartes' dualism of mind and body should be replaced with theories from the realms of neuroscience, psychology and artificial intelligence. What people think of as the stream of consciousness is not a single, unified sequence, the author argues, but \"multiple drafts\" of reality composed by a computer-like \"virtual machine\". Dennett considers how consciousness could have evolved in human beings and confronts the classic mysteries of consciousness- the nature of introspection, the self or ego and its relation to thoughts and sensations, and the level of consciousness of non-human creatures. Explores how consciousness has evolved, and how a modern understanding of the human mind is radically different from conventional explanations of consciousness. This title explains how science has exploded the classic mysteries of consciousness: the nature of introspection, and the level of consciousness of non-human creatures. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780140128673

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Consciousness Explained (Paperback)
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, London
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140128670
• ISBN 13: 9780140128673
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In Consciousness Explained, Daniel C. Dennett reveals the secrets of one of the last remaining mysteries of the universe: the human brain.

Daniel C. Dennett's now-classic book blends philosophy, psychology and neuroscience - with the aid of numerous examples and thought-experiments - to explore how consciousness has evolved, and how a modern understanding of the human mind is radically different from conventional explanations of consciousness.

What people think of as the stream of consciousness is not a single, unified sequence, the author argues, but 'multiple drafts' of reality composed by a computer-like 'virtual machine'. Dennett explains how science has exploded the classic mysteries of consciousness: the nature of introspection, the self or ego and its relation to thoughts and sensations, the problems posed by qualia, and the level of consciousness of non-human creatures.

'Brilliant ... a torrent of stimulating thought' Richard Dawkins

'Revolutionary ... one of the most mentally agile, intellectually resourceful books you are likely to read' Guardian

'A masterful tapestry of deep insights ... Dennett has written a profound and important book that is also clear, exciting and witty' Douglas R. Hofstadter, author of Gödel, Escher, Bach

About the Author

Daniel C. Dennett is University Professor Emeritus at Tufts University and the author of numerous books including From Bacteria to Bach and Back, Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking, Breaking the Spell, Darwin's Dangerous Idea, and Consciousness Explained. He lives with his wife in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.