The Conscious Mind In Search of a Fundamental Theory (Philosophy of Mind) - Softcover

Chalmers, David J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195117891 ISBN 13: 9780195117899

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1997

Synopsis

What is consciousness? How do physical processes in the brain give rise to the self-aware mind and to feelings as profoundly varied as love or hate, aesthetic pleasure or spiritual yearning?

David J. Chalmers unveils a major new theory of consciousness, one that rejects the prevailing reductionist trend of science, while offering provocative insights into the relationship between mind and brain. Writing in a thought-provoking style, Chalmers proposes that conscious experience must be understood as an irreducible entity similar to such physical properties as time, mass, and space that exists at a fundamental level and cannot be understood as the sum of its parts. Engaging and penetrating, this book adds a fresh new perspective to the subject that is sure to spark debate about our understanding of the mind for years to come.

About this title

Review:

Eloquent, fiendishly clever ... One of the best science books of the year. (Sunday Times)

an outstanding contribution to our understanding of consciousness (Steven Pinker)

a startling first book

About the Author:

David J. Chalmers is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0195117891
• ISBN 13: 9780195117899
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 432