As the title suggests this is a collection of individual but interconnected reflections concerning humans and their surroundings. The book starts with a consideration of human 'world views' - the way that humans conceive of themselves in relation to their surroundings. The reflections cover topics such as the relationship between awareness, experience and qualia, the nature of hearing, the phenomenon of memory, the perception of objects, thought and freedom, the location of sensations, character and personality, evolution, technology, and the relationship between science and faith.
What is the relationship between humans and their surroundings? How similar are humans to their surroundings? How much knowledge can humans attain about the nature of their surroundings? These are the questions which underpin all of the individual reflections. Saint's approach to the topics covered is thoroughly evolutionary and his reflections are original and thought-provoking.
Introduction Reflections on Humans and their Surroundings
Reflection 1 Awareness, Experience & Qualia
Reflection 2 Hearing
Reflection 3 Memory
Reflection 4 The Perception of Objects
Reflection 5 Thought & Freedom
Reflection 6 The Location of Sensations
Reflection 7 Character & Personality
Reflection 8 The Evolution of Humans from their Surroundings
Reflection 9 The Place of Humans in the Evolution of their Surroundings
Reflection 10 Technology and the Environmental Crisis
Reflection 11 Science versus Faith
Reflecting on the Reflections A 'World View' for the Future