The Nature of Consciousness: Philosophical Debates - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0262522101 ISBN 13: 9780262522106

Publisher: Bradford Books, 1997

Synopsis

Intended for anyone attempting to find their way through the large and confusingly interwoven philosophical literature on consciousness, this reader brings together most of the principal texts in philosophy (and a small set of related key works in neuropsychology) on consciousness through 1997, and includes some forthcoming articles. Its extensive coverage strikes a balance between seminal works of the past few decades and the leading edge of philosophical research on consciousness.As no other anthology currently does, The Nature of Consciousness provides a substantial introduction to the field, and imposes structure on a vast and complicated literature, with sections covering stream of consciousness, theoretical issues, consciousness and representation, the function of consciousness, subjectivity and the explanatory gap, the knowledge argument, qualia, and monitoring conceptions of consciousness. Of the 49 contributions, 18 are either new or have been adapted from a previous publication.

About this title

Review:

Almost everyone agrees that we possess consciousness, but as this book demonstrates, that's where the agreement ends. What can we say about the mind without fear of contradiction? Not much, and that's how the study of consciousness stands out from other scientific and philosophical endeavors--the field's great minds argue cogently with little common ground, and nothing is safe from questioning.

For the adventurous and thoughtful reader, this is a paradise on the frontiers of knowledge. The Nature of Consciousness presumes a basic familiarity with science and philosophy, as well as a willingness to think and read carefully. With articles by such bright lights as Daniel Dennett, John Searle, Patricia Smith Churchland, and even the great William James, it provides both a comprehensive overview of the field and in-depth analyses of such issues as the mind-body problem and how we can study a phenomenon that may not be observed directly. It is best read as an update on Western scientific and philosophical replies to one of the great questions: Who are we? Given the universal appeal of such a question, the reader will undoubtedly find much within to challenge, puzzle, frustrate, and delight. --Rob Lightner

From the Back Cover:

Intended for anyone attempting to find their way through the large and confusingly interwoven literature on consciousness, this reader brings together most of the principal theoretical works in philosophy and neuropsychology on consciousness. Its extensive coverage strikes a careful balance between seminal works of the past few decades and the leading edge of philosophical research on consciousness.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bradford Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0262522101
• ISBN 13: 9780262522106
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 885
• Editor: Ned Block, Owen J. Flanagan, Guven Guzeldere