Nonetheless, blackmore sets out her own theory of consciousness. Author susan blackmore wrote the main textbook on consciousness, so i expected this title to be a brief survey of all the various schools of thought on consciousness, looking at the subject broadly from the fields of philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and neurobiology, the three disciplines that address consciousness in any major way. A very short introduction challenges readers to reconsider key. The last great mystery of science, consciousness is a topic that was banned from serious research for most of the last century, but is now an area of increasing popular interest, as well as a rapidly expanding area of study for students of psychology, philosophy and neuroscience. Consciousness an introduction 2nd edition pdf download. Published by oxford university press, oxford, april 2005, paperback isbn 0 19 2805851 a very thought provoking book, tim radford in the guardian 5. A very short introduction very short introductions 2nd revised edition by blackmore, susan isbn. Blackmore starts off the book by discussing what, exactly, consciousness is. Consciousness an introduction by blackmore, susan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This is a potentially complicated subject, and blackmore writes with enough clarity to make understanding easy. Cv media podcasts photos search publications conferences and lectures research topics zen memetics there is no stream of consciousness this paper is published in the journal of consciousness studies, volume 9, number 56, which is devoted to the grand illusion. On the first page we discover that a great deal of this book is aimed at increasing rather than decreasing your perplexity. Cognition brain and consciousness introduction to cognitive neuroscience 2nd edition pdf.
I prefer the books that unlike consciousness explained simply explain effects of brain operation, like thinking fast and sl. Susan blackmore books list of books by author susan. Just as many philosophers and scientists think that free will may be an illusion, blackmore appears to think that consciousness is a grand illusion or a delusion. Conversations on consciousness is just that a series of twenty lively and challenging conversations between sue blackmore and some of the worlds leading philosophers and scientists.
Introduction to cognitive neuroscience, 2nd edition. An introduction 2nd edition 9780199739097 by susan j. Her latest work centers on the existence of memes little bits of knowledge, lore, habit that seem to spread themselves using human brains as mere carriers. The cover is very pretty, but the rest of the illustrations are quite bland. Author susan blackmore wrote the main textbook on consciousness, so i. Shes exploring the existence of a new class of meme, spread by human technology. This book clarifies the potentially confusing arguments and clearly describes the major theories, with illustrations and lively cartoons to help explain the. The last great mystery for science, consciousness has become a controversial topic. Consciousness, the last great mystery for science, has now become a hot topic. What the best minds think about the brain, free will, and what it means to be human, and more on. The last great mystery of science, consciousness is a topic that was banned from serious research for most of the last century, but is now an area of increasing popular interest, as well as a rapidly expanding area of study for students of psychology, philosophy and. A muchneeded launch pad for the further exploration of this complicated, controversial, and unresolved issue. An introduction, published 2011 under isbn 9780199739097 and isbn 0199739099.
A very short introduction, and conversations on 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. Exciting new developments in brain science are opening up debates on these issues, and the field has now expanded to include biologists, neuroscientists. Im pretty sympathetic to blackmores philosophical outlook, so i may find this more appealing than nonmaterialists might. An introduction by guy saunders there has been a plethora of books on consciousness in the last ten to fifteen years. The last great mystery for science, consciousness has become a con. Best books on philosophy of mind andor consciousness. Challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul. The meme machine 1999 has been translated into 16 languages.
A very short introduction very short introductions. These very short intro books pose a major challenge for most writers. Susan blackmore, author visiting lecturer, university of the west of england. This book is perhaps fit for school children, but adults who are seriously interested in consciousness studies should instead read david chalmerss books. How can a physical brain create our experience of the world.
An introduction, susan blackmore presents the views, research, and conclusions the philosophical and scientific communities have developed. Thanks to exciting developments in brain science, consciousnessthe last great mysteryhas now become a hot topic with everyone from biologists to philosophers. As a nontechnical layman, are there any useful books for me to read on the subject. Susan blackmore is a writer, lecturer, and visiting professor at the university of plymouth, uk. Susan blackmore is dedicated to understanding the scientific nature of consciousness. Books she comes from a very materialist point of view and tends. The hard problem we are sure that there is a world outside, filled with inanimate and live things. Cognitive neuroscientist david carmel introduces some of the philosophical and scientific complexities of identifying what was formerly known as the soul. Susan jane blackmore born 29 july 1951 is a british writer, lecturer, sceptic, broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth.
A very short introduction to consciousness dr susan blackmore. This is susan blackmores own personal view of the field. Exploring key theories on action and awareness, vision and attention, and the effects of brain damage and drugs, this fascinating study considers whether we really have free. A very short introduction very short introductions by susan blackmore and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A very short introduction and millions of other books are available for instant access. A groundbreaking and interdisciplinary exploration of the the last great mystery of science. A critique of susan blackmores dying brain hypothesis by. A very short introduction clarifies the potentially confusing. Consciousness by susan blackmore overdrive rakuten. A very short introduction by susan blackmore read the hard problem of consciousness of how the physical matter of the brain produces the psychological phenomenon of consciousness has dogged psychologists and neuroscientists for decades.
The experiments and case studies she presents are entertaining and thoughtprovoking, as they seek evidence in dreaming, synaesthesia, multiple personalities, ouijah boards, outof. See all books authored by susan blackmore, including consciousness. If you want to start reading about the subject, this really is a great place to do so. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A very short introduction by susan blackmore from waterstones today. It is also focussed on compiling the evidence that has a bearing on the viability of consciousness theories. A very short introduction very short introductions 2 by blackmore, susan isbn. Very short introductions includes bibliographical references and index. Consciousness a very short introduction by susan blackmore. Written in a colloquial and engaging style the book records the conversations sue had when she met these influential thinkers, whether at conferences in arizona. The attraction of this book is that it is concise, while covering a lot of ground. Blackmore outlines the scientific findings on consciousness. She has written or contributed to over 40 books and 60 scholarly articles and is a contributor to the guardian newspaper.
This groundbreaking new book by bestselling author susan blackmore is the first of its kind to bring. However, we can experience this world only through our senses. Susan blackmore has written a text book of consciousness. This controversial book clarifies the potentially confusing arguments, and the. She is the author of conversations on consciousness 2006, a very short introduction to consciousness 2005, and the meme machine 1999, all published by oxford university press.
Does lw have a consensus on which books are worthwhile to read regarding consciousness. Her books include the meme machine oup, 1999, conversations on. Dying to live, in search of the light, and her latest, the meme machine. The reader susan blackmore has in mind seems to be a not necessarily terribly bright youngster.
A lively, engaging, and authoritative introduction to the hot topic of consciousness. What blackmore has written here is mainly a philosophy of mind book without much reference to. Susan blackmore is a psychologist, ted lecturer, and writer researching consciousness, memes, meditation, and anomalous experiences, and is visiting professor in psychology at the university of plymouth. A very short introduction challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul. These pocketsized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly.
The very short introductions series from oxford university press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. This book clarifies the potentially confusing arguments and clearly describes the major. Its well written, very clear, and gets to the heart of the big questions about consciousness in a very concise manner. Blackmore takes one through this evidence, and with a general dialog between. Susan blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer, and a visiting professor at the university of the plymouth. An introduction oup, 2003, a very short introduction to consciousness oup and conversations on consciousness oup uk, 2005. Every book on consciousness will have its own pet theory. Daniel dennetts book consciousness explained 1991 was an early example of the genre. The best single book on philosphy of mind i have read is blackmores a very short introduction to consciousness. Author susan blackmore wrote the main textbook on consciousness, so i expected this title to be a brief survey of all the various schools of thought on. A very short introduction, susan blackmore, oxford university press, and the summary seems to be consciousness is pretty damn weird and no one seems to have much of a handle on it. Her fields of research include memetics, parapsychology, consciousness, and she is best known for her book the meme machine. Before you read greg stones excellent critique of skeptic susan blackmores theory of the nde, you may want to first read a brief description of susan blackmores hypothesis.
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