The conscious mind : in search of a fundamental theory

by David John Chalmers

Paperback, 1996

Publication

Imprint: New York ; Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1996. Edition: First paperback edition. Series: Philosophy of mind series. Responsibility: David J. Chalmers. OCLC Number: 33101543. Physical: Text : 1 volume : xvii, 414 pages ; 25 cm. Features: Includes appendix, bibliography, index.

Call number

BC / Chalm

Barcode

BK-04616

ISBN

9780195117899

Original publication date

1996

CSS Library Notes

Description: What is consciousness? How do physical processes in the brain give rise to the subjective life of a conscious mind? These questions are among the most hotly debated issues in science and philosophy today. Now, in The Conscious Mind, philosopher David J. Chalmers offers a cogent analysis of this debate as he lays out a major new theory of consciousness, one that rejects the prevailing reductionist trend of science. -- WorldCat

Table of Contents: 1. Two Concepts of Mind --
2. Supervenience and Explanation --
3. Can Consciousness Be Reductively Explained? --
4. Naturalistic Dualism --
5. The Paradox of Phenomenal Judgment --
6. The Coherence Between Consciousness and Cognition --
7. Absent Qualia, Fading Qualia, Dancing Qualia --
8. Consciousness and Information: Some Speculation --
9. Strong Artificial Intelligence --
10. The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.

Location: COLLECTION: Philosophy & Science -- AREA: Mind Science-- SECTION: Brain & Consciousness / Filing name: Chalmers

Topics: In TinyCat -- See "Tags" above for our libraries topic areas. See "Subjects" below for LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings) (note you can tour our library via Tags or LCSH, but LCHS are not available for all items in our holdings).

FY2000 /

Physical description

xvii, 414 p.; 25 cm

Description

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? In 'The Conscious Mind', philosopher David J. Chalmers offers an analysis on these hotly debated issues, as he unveils a major new theory of consciousness.

Language

Original language

English

User reviews

LibraryThing member Benthamite
Only the cognitive mind can be explained functionally; phenomenal consciousness is a non-physical feature of the world.
LibraryThing member ddowell
A disappointing book. Chalmer's willingness to propose specious arguments is surprising for a serious intellectual. He argues from admittedly counter-factual examples as if they provided evidence. He argues that because he can conceive of a brain-less zombie, that human consciousness must not
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depend upon the human brain. This is such a specious line of argument that the entire book becomes uninteresting.
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LibraryThing member anandrajan
One of the very best philosophy books on consciousness.
LibraryThing member Beelzebug
A must-read for any student of philosophy.

Rating

½ (68 ratings; 3.8)
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