Consciousness

An Introduction

Susan Blackmore

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Consciousness" by Susan Blackmore is a comprehensive exploration of the nature and mysteries surrounding the concept of consciousness.
In this thought-provoking book, Blackmore delves into the science of consciousness from various perspectives, blending philosophical insights with scientific findings.

She begins by examining the ancient origins of consciousness, tracing its evolution through the ages and highlighting the role of introspection in our understanding of self-awareness.

Blackmore then delves into the fascinating fields of neuroscience and cognitive psychology, unraveling the neural mechanisms that give rise to conscious experiences and unraveling the mysteries of perception, attention, memory, and selfhood.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, she investigates altered states of consciousness such as sleep, dreams, meditation, and psychedelics, shedding light on the phenomena encountered within these realms and their significance for our understanding of human consciousness.

With a critical eye, Blackmore also dismantles traditional assumptions about consciousness, questioning the existence of a central "I" and challenging the notion of free will, ultimately presenting a compelling argument for a more distributed and fluid conception of self.

Finally, she explores the implications of robotic and artificial intelligence advancements, predicting potential future scenarios where conscious machines may exist and whether they could help unravel the ultimate nature of consciousness.

"Consciousness" reveals a captivating journey through the depths of human awareness, inviting readers to contemplate their own place in the intricate web of consciousness and offering valuable insights into one of the most enthralling puzzles of the human experience.

Explore More Books

See All
How To Avoid a Climate Disaster
The Inimitable Jeeves
The Blank Slate
Fortitude
Blueprint
The Language Instinct
Life on the Edge
What If?
Edison
Tribe of Mentors
Diet for a Small Planet
Linchpin
The Box
Who Am I
Learn or Die
Command
East of Eden
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Am I Being Too Subtle?
Experimental Man
Empire of the Summer Moon
7 Powers
The Success Equation
Information
The Company
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
The Choice
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
Confessions of a Philosopher
All Out War
Swarm Troopers
Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero
Turn the Ship Around!
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Acid Test
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Keeping At It
Continental Reckoning
National Economic Planning
Holistic Management
Lost in Shangri-La
Stuff Matters
Beyond Entrepreneurship
A History of Western Technology
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World
Cognitive Surplus
Status Anxiety
Old Man and the Sea
The Third Chimpanzee
The Road to Character
Play Anything
Stalingrad
You Can Be a Stock Market Genius
Crash Proof 2.0
Believe In People
The Friction Project
The Venture Mindset
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
The Social Animal
Twilight of the Bombs
Take On The Street
Getting Real
Daughter of the Heartland
Eat a Peach
The Robber Barons
Manias, Panics, and Crashes
Malabar Farm
The Only Game In Town
Elon Musk
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
The E-Myth Revisited
Portfolios of the Poor
The Blazing World
Into The Silence
Built from Scratch
Savage Son
Oscar
The Alchemist
Consolations
The Diversity Myth
Little Fires Everywhere
The Art of Stillness
Ishmael
I Want To Be A Mathematician
1984
Boom
Prof. Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System
Atomic Habits
Connectography
The Power of Relentless
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Faith
The Farming Ladder
The Half-Life of Facts
Paper Lion
Tao Te Ching
Viral Loop
The Alliance
Pebbles of Perception
The Real Crash