Psychologist and consciousness researcher, susan blackmore, talks about her outofbody experience and her research in her new book seeing myself the new science of. Blackmore outlines the scientific findings on consciousness. Challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul. A critique of susan blackmores dying brain hypothesis by. That was a brilliant idea of sue blackmore, and the results are quite impressive.
So thorough, in fact, that one occasionally wishes shed just get on with it. Blackmore and trosciankos book remains the best introduction to consciousness on the market. Consciousness remains one of the least understood phenomena of our world. The meme machine 1999 has been translated into 16 languages. Susan blackmore consciousness and the nature of experience. Aug 09, 2017 psychologist and consciousness researcher, susan blackmore, talks about her outofbody experience and her research in her new book seeing myself the new science of outofbody experiences. Consciousness an introduction by susan blackmore hardcover. The best books on consciousness recommended by susan blackmore. All my books and articles are listed in publications.
Its always good to read books by those whom you disagree with but know what they are talking about. Dan dennett and me in conversation about his new book at the bristol festival of ideas. A very short introduction challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul. Daniel dennetts book consciousness explained 1991 was an early example of the genre. An introduction oup, 2003, a very short introduction to consciousness oup and conversations on consciousness oup uk, 2005. Before you read greg stones excellent critique of skeptic susan blackmore s theory of the nde, you may want to first read a brief description of susan blackmore s hypothesis. A very short introduction by susan blackmore read the hard problem of consciousness of how the physical matter of the brain produces the psychological phenomenon of consciousness has dogged psychologists and neuroscientists for decades. A muchneeded launch pad for the further exploration of this complicated, controversial, and unresolved issue. Its also one of the most intriguing subjects, and fascination with it has spurred debate both between science and religion and within science.
This groundbreaking textbook by bestselling author susan blackmore was the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of. Jun 25, 2010 buy consciousness 2 by blackmore, susan isbn. Covering areas such as the construction of self in the brain, mechanisms of attention, the neural correlates of consciousness, and the physiology of altered states of consciousness. She has a degree in psychology and physiology from oxford university 1973 an msc and a phd in parapsychology from the university of surrey 1980. The strength of this book is perhaps not continue reading consciousness. Shes exploring the existence of a new class of meme, spread by human technology. She is a ted lecturer, blogs for the guardian and psychology today, and frequently appears on radio. Susan blackmore the last great mystery for science, consciousness has become a controversial topic. She has written or contributed to over 40 books and 60 scholarly articles and is a contributor to the guardian newspaper.
Full debate the secrets of consciousness philip goff, susan blackmore, nicholas humphrey duration. An introduction is an invaluable addition to the area of consciousness research. It examines why the term consciousness has no recognised definition and provides an opportunity to delve. Blackmore is careful to make sure the reader is always aware of the larger significance of the discussion. Susan blackmore, researcher and writer on consciousness, cares in this sense, which gives her three books a personal and engaging touch, even though they have very. Susan blackmore sue blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer and broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth. Susan blackmore, a former lecturer in psychology at the university of the west of england in bristol, casts a wide net in exploring what she calls the last great mystery of science.
The title of this book is consciousness and it was written by susan blackmore. Found this a fascinating book insofar as some of the ideas suggested in it were things i had never thought of. Her latest work centers on the existence of memes little bits of knowledge, lore, habit that seem to spread themselves using human brains as mere carriers. Susan blackmore is dedicated to understanding the scientific nature of consciousness. Susan blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer, and a visiting professor at the university of the plymouth.
The experiments and case studies she presents are entertaining and thoughtprovoking, as they seek evidence in dreaming, synaesthesia, multiple personalities, ouijah boards, outof. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Jun 25, 2010 one day, all consciousness textbooks will be made this way. Her book the meme machine 1999 has been translated into 16 languages. This edition of consciousness, revised by author team susan blackmore and emily troscianko, explores the key theories and evidence in consciousness studies ranging from neuroscience and psychology to quantum theories and philosophy. Susan jane blackmore born 29 july 1951 is a british writer, lecturer, sceptic, broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth, in plymouth. Susan blackmores bold and fascinating book the meme machine pushes the new theory of memetics farther than anyone else has, including its originator richard dawkins. This book is full to the brim with theories, hypothesis and potential explanations which are all interesting, especially in light of the fact that consciousness is very difficult even to define. Though merely an introduction, susan blackmore s consciousness is surprisingly thorough. Understanding the difference is the crux of consciousness. An introduction 2nd second edition, by susan blackmore to be best seller lately. Nov 26, 20 this groundbreaking textbook by bestselling author susan blackmore was the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of consciousness studies, from those based on neuroscience to those based on quantum theory or eastern philosophy. She is the author of conversations on consciousness 2006, a very short introduction to consciousness 2005, and the meme machine 1999, all published by oxford university press.
Written in a colloquial and engaging style the book records the conversations sue had when she met these influential thinkers, whether at conferences in arizona or antwerp, or in their labs or homes in oxford or. This groundbreaking new book by bestselling author susan blackmore is the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of. The experiments and case studies she presents are entertaining and thoughtprovoking, as they seek evidence in dreaming, synaesthesia, multiple personalities, ouijah boards, outofbody and neardeath experiences, animal consciousness, and so on. Consciousness an introduction by blackmore, susan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Combines the perspectives of philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience on the subject of consciousness. This groundbreaking new book by bestselling author susan blackmore is the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of consciousness studies, from those based on neuroscience to those based on quantum theory or eastern philosophy.
Susan jane blackmore born 29 july 1951 is a british writer, lecturer, sceptic, broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth. The psychologist susan blackmore chooses the five best books that tackle consciousness and the hard problem of accounting for its existence. A whole hour discussing the meaning of consciousness. Susan blackmore an exploration of consciousness explains key theories on action and awareness, looks at the question of free will, and questions whether consciousness itself is an illusion. And the full naturalization of human nature might have considerable personal, moral and even spiritual implications, which is why, ultimately, we might care about consciousness. Consciousness paperback susan blackmore oxford university. An introduction 2004, is a textbook that broadly covers the field of consciousness studies. See for example the sections theories of consciousness p. Jul 07, 2017 full debate the secrets of consciousness philip goff, susan blackmore, nicholas humphrey duration. Consciousness and out of body experiences, with dr. Her book, conversations on consciousness is a collection of 20 interviews, with 21 of the leading thinkers on consciousness. Her book, conversations on consciousness is a collection of 20 interviews. This lively, engaging, and authoritative book provides a. Dan dennetts book consciousness explained came out.
Her research ranges through outofbody experiences and claims of the paranormal to minds, memes, and the mysteries of consciousness and free will. The reader should already be wellacquainted with the concepts of memes and. Her fields of research include memetics, parapsychology, consciousness, and she is best known for her book the meme machine. Consciousness a very short introduction by susan blackmore. This book is full to the brim with theories, hypothesis and potential explanations which are all interesting, especially in light of the fact that consciousness is very difficult. A very short introduction by susan blackmore my rating. In 1973, susan blackmore graduated from st hildas college, oxford, with a degree in psychology and physiology. Though merely an introduction, susan blackmores consciousness is surprisingly thorough. This controversial book clarifies the potentially confusing arguments, and the major theories, whilst also outlining the amazing pace of discoveries in neuroscience. Susan blackmores consciousness skeptical about skeptics. Written in a colloquial and engaging style the book records the conversations sue had when she met these influential thinkers, whether at conferences in arizona.
Her fields of research include memes, evolutionary theory, psychology, parapsychology, consciousness, and she is best known for her book the meme machine. It was published by oxford university press and has a total of 480 pages in the book. Susan jane blackmore is an english freelance writer, lecturer, and broadcaster on psychology and the paranormal, perhaps best known for her book the meme machine. Susan blackmore is a psychologist, writer, and visiting professor at the university of plymouth. People often ask me what to read on a particular subject. We provide you the best deal by obtaining the spectacular book. This groundbreaking textbook by bestselling author susan blackmore was the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of consciousness studies, from those based on neuroscience to those based on quantum theory or eastern philosophy.
An introduction, which examines the scientific nature of subjective experience. An introduction by guy saunders there has been a plethora of books on consciousness in the last ten to fifteen years. Conversations on consciousness is just that a series of twenty lively and challenging conversations between sue blackmore and some of the worlds leading philosophers and scientists. The book examines topics such as how subjective experiences arise from objective brain processes. An introduction 2nd second edition, by susan blackmore will always provide you motivations.
An introduction 2nd second edition, by susan blackmore. And in 1994, the first tucson conference on consciousness was started. Susan blackmore is a psychologist, ted lecturer, and writer researching consciousness, memes, meditation, and anomalous experiences, and is visiting professor in psychology at the university of plymouth. A common shortcoming of introductory accounts of consciousness is an overreliance on an oftenregurgitated set of case studies that many authors dutifully recite without following up on the implications. Susan blackmore is a writer, lecturer, and visiting professor at the university of plymouth, uk.
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