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Book Details
Abstract
This new textbook, written in a lucid and catchy style, draws on all major disciplines that make up the study of consciousness - neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, and philosophy. With a strong emphasis on empirical evidence, it is designed as an introductory, single-volume overview of the exciting field of consciousness.
'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Each chapter was a delight, providing an overview of research and pertinent theory. As I read each successive chapter, I found myself absorbed by the material and the simple elegance with which each topic was described.' - Marjorie Collins, Murdoch University, Australia
'This book would provide an appropriate challenge for an Honours level course on consciousness, but would also be a fascinating read for all those who are interested in this intriguing and mysterious aspect of our existence. I enjoyed this book immensely.' - Elizabeth A. Boyle, Psychology Learning& Teaching (The Higher Education Academy)
ARNE DIETRICH is Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He teaches courses in cognitive neuroscience and philosophical psychology.
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover | Cover | ||
| Contents | vii | ||
| Preface | xiii | ||
| Acknowledgments | xvii | ||
| Part I: The nature of consciousness | 1 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 3 | ||
| The nature of consciousness studies | 3 | ||
| The theoretical landscape | 9 | ||
| Summary | 19 | ||
| In focus 1.1 When to pull the plug? | 4 | ||
| Suggested reading | 20 | ||
| 2 A brief history | 21 | ||
| The origins of the field | 21 | ||
| Summary | 35 | ||
| Suggested reading | 36 | ||
| 3 Basic positions | 37 | ||
| Classical dualism | 37 | ||
| Modern dualism | 41 | ||
| Non-materialist monism | 48 | ||
| Materialism | 52 | ||
| Summary | 58 | ||
| In focus 3.1 Public opinion poll | 58 | ||
| Suggested reading | 59 | ||
| Part II: The mechanism of consciousness | 61 | ||
| 4 Physical mechanisms | 63 | ||
| Neurophysiological approaches | 63 | ||
| Physics and the mind | 74 | ||
| Summary | 81 | ||
| In focus 4.1 Locating consciousness | 65 | ||
| 4.2 The holographic mind | 80 | ||
| Suggested reading | 82 | ||
| 5 Artificial minds | 83 | ||
| Dennett explained | 83 | ||
| Artificial consciousness | 90 | ||
| Summary | 103 | ||
| In focus 5.1 \"They're made out of meat | 98 | ||
| Suggested reading | 104 | ||
| 6 Neurocognition and evolution | 106 | ||
| Cognitive neuroscience | 106 | ||
| Evolutionary perspectives | 117 | ||
| Summary | 126 | ||
| In focus 6.1 HOT models | 116 | ||
| 6.2 Memes | 121 | ||
| Suggested reading | 127 | ||
| Part III: The content of consciousness | 129 | ||
| 7 Perception | 131 | ||
| The visual system | 131 | ||
| Somatosensation | 143 | ||
| Perception and consciousness | 147 | ||
| Summary | 150 | ||
| In focus 7.1 Sensory deprivation | 147 | ||
| Suggested reading | 152 | ||
| 8 Memory | 153 | ||
| The explicit system | 153 | ||
| The implicit system | 164 | ||
| Summary | 172 | ||
| In focus 8.1 The mnemonist | 157 | ||
| 8.2 Flashbulb memory | 163 | ||
| Suggested reading | 173 | ||
| 9 Emotion | 174 | ||
| Basic emotions | 174 | ||
| Complex emotions | 187 | ||
| Summary | 195 | ||
| In focus 9.1 Lateralization of emotions | 186 | ||
| 9.2 Frontal lobotomy | 189 | ||
| Suggested reading | 195 | ||
| 10 Metacognition | 196 | ||
| Computational infrastructure | 196 | ||
| Self-reflective consciousness | 204 | ||
| Summary | 213 | ||
| In focus 10.1 The myth of multitasking | 201 | ||
| 10.2 Mirror neurons | 211 | ||
| Suggested reading | 214 | ||
| 11 Free will | 215 | ||
| The basics of free will | 215 | ||
| The nature of free will | 221 | ||
| Summary | 234 | ||
| In focus 11.1 Telekinesis through population vectors? | 217 | ||
| 11.2 Why is it impossible to tickle yourself? | 232 | ||
| Suggested reading | 235 | ||
| Part IV: Altered states of consciousness | 237 | ||
| 12 Sleep and dreams | 239 | ||
| Conceptualizing ASC | 239 | ||
| Sleep and dreams | 245 | ||
| Summary | 256 | ||
| In focus 12.1 Oddities of sleep | 248 | ||
| Suggested reading | 257 | ||
| 13 Drug states and other alternities | 258 | ||
| Drug-altered consciousness | 258 | ||
| Other doors to alternity | 266 | ||
| Summary | 277 | ||
| In focus 13.1 Flow | 269 | ||
| 13.2 OBE and NDE | 271 | ||
| Suggested reading | 278 | ||
| References | 279 | ||
| Index | 299 |