Audiobook19 hours
The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory
Written by David J. Chalmers
Narrated by George Cunningham
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
()
About this audiobook
What is consciousness? How do physical processes in the brain give rise to the self-aware mind and to feelings as profoundly varied as love or hate, aesthetic pleasure or spiritual yearning? These questions today are among the most hotly debated issues among scientists and philosophers, and we
have seen in recent years superb volumes by such eminent figures as Francis Crick, Daniel C. Dennett, Gerald Edelman, and Roger Penrose, all firing volleys in what has come to be called the consciousness wars. Now, in The Conscious Mind, philosopher David J. Chalmers offers a cogent analysis of this
heated debate as he unveils a major new theory of consciousness, one that rejects the prevailing reductionist trend of science, while offering provocative insights into the relationship between mind and brain.
Writing in a rigorous, thought-provoking style, the author takes us on a far-reaching tour through the philosophical ramifications of consciousness. Chalmers convincingly reveals how contemporary cognitive science and neurobiology have failed to explain how and why mental events emerge from
physiological occurrences in the brain. He proposes instead that conscious experience must be understood in an entirely new light--as an irreducible entity (similar to such physical properties as time, mass, and space) that exists at a fundamental level and cannot be understood as the sum of its
parts. And after suggesting some intriguing possibilities about the structure and laws of conscious experience, he details how his unique reinterpretation of the mind could be the focus of a new science. Throughout the book, Chalmers provides fascinating thought experiments that trenchantly
illustrate his ideas. For example, in exploring the notion that consciousness could be experienced by machines as well as humans, Chalmers asks us to imagine a thinking brain in which neurons are slowly replaced by silicon chips that precisely duplicate their functions--as the neurons are replaced,
will consciousness gradually fade away? The book also features thoughtful discussions of how the author's theories might be practically applied to subjects as diverse as artificial intelligence and the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
All of us have pondered the nature and meaning of consciousness. Engaging and penetrating, The Conscious Mind adds a fresh new perspective to the subject that is sure to spark debate about our understanding of the mind for years to come.
have seen in recent years superb volumes by such eminent figures as Francis Crick, Daniel C. Dennett, Gerald Edelman, and Roger Penrose, all firing volleys in what has come to be called the consciousness wars. Now, in The Conscious Mind, philosopher David J. Chalmers offers a cogent analysis of this
heated debate as he unveils a major new theory of consciousness, one that rejects the prevailing reductionist trend of science, while offering provocative insights into the relationship between mind and brain.
Writing in a rigorous, thought-provoking style, the author takes us on a far-reaching tour through the philosophical ramifications of consciousness. Chalmers convincingly reveals how contemporary cognitive science and neurobiology have failed to explain how and why mental events emerge from
physiological occurrences in the brain. He proposes instead that conscious experience must be understood in an entirely new light--as an irreducible entity (similar to such physical properties as time, mass, and space) that exists at a fundamental level and cannot be understood as the sum of its
parts. And after suggesting some intriguing possibilities about the structure and laws of conscious experience, he details how his unique reinterpretation of the mind could be the focus of a new science. Throughout the book, Chalmers provides fascinating thought experiments that trenchantly
illustrate his ideas. For example, in exploring the notion that consciousness could be experienced by machines as well as humans, Chalmers asks us to imagine a thinking brain in which neurons are slowly replaced by silicon chips that precisely duplicate their functions--as the neurons are replaced,
will consciousness gradually fade away? The book also features thoughtful discussions of how the author's theories might be practically applied to subjects as diverse as artificial intelligence and the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
All of us have pondered the nature and meaning of consciousness. Engaging and penetrating, The Conscious Mind adds a fresh new perspective to the subject that is sure to spark debate about our understanding of the mind for years to come.
Author
David J. Chalmers
David J. Chalmers is University Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science and codirector of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at New York University. He is the author of The Conscious Mind, The Character of Consciousness, and Constructing the World.
Related to The Conscious Mind
Related audiobooks
From Darwin to Derrida: Selfish Genes, Social Selves, and the Meanings of Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Feeling of Life Itself: Why Consciousness Is Widespread but Can't Be Computed Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The World Itself: Consciousness and the Everything of Physics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NOTES ON COMPLEXITY Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Idea of the World: A Multi-Disciplinary Argument for the Mental Nature of Reality Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rethinking Consciousness: A Scientific Theory of Subjective Experience Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Science Ideated: The Fall Of Matter And The Contours Of The Next Mainstream Scientific Worldview Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Scientific Sublime: Popular Science Unravels the Mysteries of the Universe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What is Life?: With Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Making Sense by Sam Harris: Key Takeaways, Summary & Analysis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPhysics in Mind: A Quantum View of the Brain Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Science Delusion: Asking the Big Questions in a Culture of Easy Answers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Irrationality: A History of the Dark Side of Reason Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Biological Mind: How Brain, Body, and Environment Collaborate to Make Us Who We Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bedeviled: A Shadow History of Demons in Science Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Time Reborn: From the Crisis in Physics to the Future of the Universe Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In Search of a Theory of Everything: The Philosophy Behind Physics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIdeas Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Paradox: The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Physics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Touching a Nerve: The Self As Brain Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Psych: The Story of the Human Mind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This Explains Everything: Deep, Beautiful, and Elegant Theories of How the World Works Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why? The Purpose of the Universe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Philosophy For You
Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brain Training with the Buddha: A Modern Path to Insight Based on the Ancient Foundations of Mindfulness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddhism 101: From Karma to the Four Noble Truths, Your Guide to Understanding the Principles of Buddhism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Five Rings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Be Free: An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stoicism: How to Use Stoic Philosophy to Find Inner Peace and Happiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tao Te Ching: A New English Version Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Holographic Universe: The Revolutionary Theory of Reality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Communicating Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Tao of Pooh Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mastering Logical Fallacies: The Definitive Guide to Flawless Rhetoric and Bulletproof Logic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Courage to Be Happy: Discover the Power of Positive Psychology and Choose Happiness Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddhist Boot Camp Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary: The Laws of Human Nature: by Robert Greene: Key Takeaways, Summary & Analysis Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5People of the Lie Vol. 1: Toward a Psychology of Evil Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/512 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson - Book Summary: An Antidote to Chaos Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for The Conscious Mind
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings
0 ratings0 reviews