Soul Dust

The Magic of Consciousness
Erscheinungsjahr 2012
ISBN: 978-0-691-15637-8
Verlag: Princeton University Press

Buch, Englisch, 256 Seiten, Format (B × H): 140 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 366 g

How is consciousness possible? What biological purpose does it serve? And why do we value it so highly? In Soul Dust, the psychologist Nicholas Humphrey, a leading figure in consciousness research, proposes a startling new theory. Consciousness, he argues, is nothing less than a magical-mystery show that we stage for ourselves inside our own heads. This self-made show lights up the world for us and makes us feel special and transcendent. Thus consciousness paves the way for spirituality, and allows us, as human beings, to reap the rewards, and anxieties, of living in what Humphrey calls the "soul niche." Tightly argued, intellectually gripping, and a joy to read, Soul Dust provides answers to the deepest questions. It shows how the problem of consciousness merges with questions that obsess us all--how life should be lived and the fear of death. Resting firmly on neuroscience and evolutionary theory, and drawing a wealth of insights from philosophy and literature, Soul Dust is an uncompromising yet life-affirming work--one that never loses sight of the majesty and wonder of consciousness.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Humphrey, Nicholas

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophische Psychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Allgemeine Psychologie Biologische Psychologie, Neuropsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologische Theorie, Psychoanalyse Philosophische Psychologie, Logotherapie, Existenzanalyse

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Invitation ix

Prelude

Chapter 1: Coming-to Explained 3

Part One

Chapter 2: Being "Like Something" 27

Chapter 3: Sentition 42

Chapter 4: Looping the Loop 53

Part Two

Chapter 5: So What? 69

Chapter 6: Being There 80

Chapter 7: The Enchanted World 104

Chapter 8: So That Is Who I Am! 125

Chapter 9: Being Number One 140

Part Three

Chapter 10: Entering the Soul Niche 155

Chapter 11: Dangerous Territory 165

Chapter 12: Cheating Death 177

Envoi 203

Acknowledgments 215

Notes 217

Index 239

Über Autor(innen)

Humphrey, Nicholas
Nicholas Humphrey has held posts at Oxford and Cambridge universities, and is now professor emeritus of psychology at the London School of Economics. His many books include "A History of the Mind" and "Seeing Red".