Blackmore S., Troscianko E.T. Consciousness: An Introduction

3rd Edition. — London, NY: Routledge, 2018. — 639 p. — ISBN-10 1138801305.Is there a theory that explains the essence of consciousness? Or is consciousness itself just an illusion? The 'last great mystery of science', consciousness is an area of cognitive psychology that was once viewed with extreme skepticism and was consequently avoided by the majority of mainstream scientific researchers. However, it has now become a significant area of research despite the complexity of the subject matter. There is no universally accepted definition of what consciousness entails, although most psychology academics would acknowledge that broadly speaking, it explores the experience of being aware of an external object or something within oneself.It examines why the term `consciousness' has no recognized definition and provides an opportunity to delve into personal intuitions about the self, mind, and consciousness. Featuring comprehensive coverage of all core topics in the field, this edition includes: Why the problem of consciousness is so hard Neuroscience and the neural correlates of consciousness Why we might be mistaken about our minds The apparent difference between conscious and unconscious Theories of attention, free will, and self and other The evolution of consciousness in animals and machines Altered states from meditation to drugs and dreaming Complete with key concept boxes, profiles of well-known thinkers, and questions and activities suitable for both independent study and group work, Consciousness provides a complete introduction to this fascinating field.The problem.
The brain.
Body and world.
Evolution.
Borderlands.
Self and other.