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Hidden Minds: A History of the Unconscious
The concept of the unconscious has staged a comeback. New research, employing brain scans and other techniques, has shown that the unconscious is not only real but indispensable. Hidden Minds traces our enduring fascination with the unconscious and our attempts to tame it through hypnosis, psychoanalysis, subliminal manipulation, lucid dreams, and even the principles of the quantum mind. From St. Augustine, who wrote, “I cannot grasp all that I am,” to the latest contemporary research, philosophers, scientists, and thinkers have been fascinated with the concept. This absorbing history offers colorful, sometimes astonishing examples, while also laying out the functions of the unconscious process in our daily lives. Drawing widely on scientific research, art, literature, and philosophy, Frank Tallis shows that an understanding of this hidden mind is essential to understanding our true selves.
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2001
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223 people want to read
About the author
Frank Tallis
47 books399 followersAka F.R. Tallis.
Dr. Frank Tallis is a writer and clinical psychologist. He has held lecturing posts in clinical psychology and neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry and King's College, London. He has written self help manuals (How to Stop Worrying, Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions) non-fiction for the general reader (Changing Minds, Hidden Minds, Love Sick), academic text books and over thirty academic papers in international journals. Frank Tallis' novels are: KILLING TIME (Penguin), SENSING OTHERS (Penguin), MORTAL MISCHIEF (Arrow), VIENNA BLOOD (Arrow), FATAL LIES (Arrow), and DARKNESS RISING (Arrow). The fifth volume of the Liebermann Papers, DEADLY COMMUNION, will be published in 2010. In 1999 he received a Writers' Award from the Arts Council of Great Britain and in 2000 he won the New London Writers' Award (London Arts Board). In 2005 MORTAL MISCHIEF was shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award.
Dr. Frank Tallis is a writer and clinical psychologist. He has held lecturing posts in clinical psychology and neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry and King's College, London. He has written self help manuals (How to Stop Worrying, Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions) non-fiction for the general reader (Changing Minds, Hidden Minds, Love Sick), academic text books and over thirty academic papers in international journals. Frank Tallis' novels are: KILLING TIME (Penguin), SENSING OTHERS (Penguin), MORTAL MISCHIEF (Arrow), VIENNA BLOOD (Arrow), FATAL LIES (Arrow), and DARKNESS RISING (Arrow). The fifth volume of the Liebermann Papers, DEADLY COMMUNION, will be published in 2010. In 1999 he received a Writers' Award from the Arts Council of Great Britain and in 2000 he won the New London Writers' Award (London Arts Board). In 2005 MORTAL MISCHIEF was shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 22, 2019
certo, vorrei possedere l'allegro inconscio di Leibniz e quello adulterato di De Quincey... insomma, un inconscio collettivo, ma facciamo solo una cosa a tre...
il libro si dilunga molto sull'epoca romantica, confondendo spesso i concetti di inconscio con quello di inquietudine, o sturm und drung; ma è una buona lettura, appagante e piacevolmente aneddotica.
il libro si dilunga molto sull'epoca romantica, confondendo spesso i concetti di inconscio con quello di inquietudine, o sturm und drung; ma è una buona lettura, appagante e piacevolmente aneddotica.
April 13, 2013
In 1917 Sigmund Freud claimed that the unconsciousness is "the third blow" to narcissistic humanity (after Copernicus and Darwin). That free will, rationality and a sense of self might be mere illusions. Soon after Freud fell out of favor and so did the notion of the unconscious. But it is very much on its way back, considering the amount of recent related scientific experiments and published books. Tallis' book from 2002 was probably a frontrunner.
The subtitle fits: a history of the unconscious. Tallis presents in informative and insightful way how we discovered, studied and tried to make sense of all the processes, memories and knowledge that lie below our awareness level. How the concept of the unconscious went from philosophy to spiritualism to scientific knowledge. From Mesmerism, dream interpretation, lucid dreaming to subliminal stimuli, Libet's half second and the evolutionary advantage of self-deception. There are definitely stories to tell, and Tallis' book was a interesting read.
The subtitle fits: a history of the unconscious. Tallis presents in informative and insightful way how we discovered, studied and tried to make sense of all the processes, memories and knowledge that lie below our awareness level. How the concept of the unconscious went from philosophy to spiritualism to scientific knowledge. From Mesmerism, dream interpretation, lucid dreaming to subliminal stimuli, Libet's half second and the evolutionary advantage of self-deception. There are definitely stories to tell, and Tallis' book was a interesting read.
January 6, 2020
breve storia della fine dell'innocenza
panoramica sul concetto di inconscio, dall'accezione filosofica a quella analitica, con piccole divagazioni corredate di aneddoti a volte noti, altre di non meglio precisata provenienza
si citano fatti, documenti, storie e esperienze, ma non si va a fondo di nulla, curioso per un testo sull'inconscio che del suo essere profondo è l'unica caratteristica su cui paiono esser d'accordo tutti
si nota una certa sottile e poco motivata ostilità contro Freud, ma qua siamo all'interpretazione, e chi ha scritto di inconscio avrebbe dovuto mettere in conto il fatto che esser letti da gente che l'inconscio, almeno un poco, lo esplora per lavoro e per passione significa poi alla fine essere interpretati più per quello che si tace che per quello che si dice...
nel complesso si legge, forse con più gusto se non se ne conosce bene il tema, ma per chi ne ha fatto materia di studio ha l'effettivo spessore di una tesi di laurea, compilativa per di più
panoramica sul concetto di inconscio, dall'accezione filosofica a quella analitica, con piccole divagazioni corredate di aneddoti a volte noti, altre di non meglio precisata provenienza
si citano fatti, documenti, storie e esperienze, ma non si va a fondo di nulla, curioso per un testo sull'inconscio che del suo essere profondo è l'unica caratteristica su cui paiono esser d'accordo tutti
si nota una certa sottile e poco motivata ostilità contro Freud, ma qua siamo all'interpretazione, e chi ha scritto di inconscio avrebbe dovuto mettere in conto il fatto che esser letti da gente che l'inconscio, almeno un poco, lo esplora per lavoro e per passione significa poi alla fine essere interpretati più per quello che si tace che per quello che si dice...
nel complesso si legge, forse con più gusto se non se ne conosce bene il tema, ma per chi ne ha fatto materia di studio ha l'effettivo spessore di una tesi di laurea, compilativa per di più
December 20, 2015
I got this book a few years ago when a publisher seriously misunderstood my blog and sent me a review copy, and it's sat on my shelf ever since. I finally read it, and it was fascinating! Clear and concise without skimping on the fun historical details, Frank Tallis takes us through the history of research into the unconscious, from the Romantic poets to modern neuroscience.
I found it a bit frustrating to not have solid answers - every new study he describes just shows how much we still don't understand about what the unconscious is and what it means about being human.
I found it a bit frustrating to not have solid answers - every new study he describes just shows how much we still don't understand about what the unconscious is and what it means about being human.
December 14, 2022
I was looking for an overview of the knowledge/science of our subconscious mind, I got exactly that in this insightful and cleverly constructed book. I had some prior knowledge on the subject from reading Freud and Jung, and some of the current thinking, though I lacked a comprehensive overview of the evolution in between. Tallis' analysis certainly looks exhaustive in that perspective, though I cannot really judge. At any rate, it provided me with new insights on the subject.
September 30, 2018
A very good history of the topic but I couldn't get jiggy with the conclusion “People just are. There is as much point to becoming angry about the behaviour of a thief as there is to becoming angry about the position of a stone. Neither make choices.”
Agreeing with that sentiment would mean absolving myself of guilt. I can't have that. What'd I be without my guilt? An empty husk. Me: guilt :: Mama bear: cubs. You gonna end up like Di Caprio if you come between me and my guilt. And now, from one megalomaniac to another.
“Freud claimed to have delivered ‘the third blow’ to narcissistic humanity; Copernicus, he said, had delivered the first – wrenching the earth away from the universe’s centre – and Darwin the second, showing man’s descent from ape-like ancestors. By emphasising the importance of unconscious processes in mental life, Freud believed that he had delivered the third and most wounding blow in the sequence. He suggested that our most valued characteristics – free will, rationality and a sense of self – are mere illusions, and that we are all the products of unconscious and uncontrollable forces in the mind.”
There are 10 chapters and Freud takes up about 2 of them. The rest of the chapters are devoted to giving credit to people time has forgotten. Give it a gander, and shave off a star like I did when you find the conclusions veering a bit too much towards the bunkum.
Agreeing with that sentiment would mean absolving myself of guilt. I can't have that. What'd I be without my guilt? An empty husk. Me: guilt :: Mama bear: cubs. You gonna end up like Di Caprio if you come between me and my guilt. And now, from one megalomaniac to another.
“Freud claimed to have delivered ‘the third blow’ to narcissistic humanity; Copernicus, he said, had delivered the first – wrenching the earth away from the universe’s centre – and Darwin the second, showing man’s descent from ape-like ancestors. By emphasising the importance of unconscious processes in mental life, Freud believed that he had delivered the third and most wounding blow in the sequence. He suggested that our most valued characteristics – free will, rationality and a sense of self – are mere illusions, and that we are all the products of unconscious and uncontrollable forces in the mind.”
There are 10 chapters and Freud takes up about 2 of them. The rest of the chapters are devoted to giving credit to people time has forgotten. Give it a gander, and shave off a star like I did when you find the conclusions veering a bit too much towards the bunkum.
October 24, 2019
Review from Amazon.com:
An excellent exploration into the history of the unconscious.
Tallis introduces us to the very beginnings of the concept of the unconscious and carries us through its turbulent history, up to the present day. He takes us through Mesmerism, Romantic conceptions of the unconscious, the work of Janet, Freud and Jung, and the fall and rise of the notion of the unconscious as well as its subsequent reintegration into the brain sciences.
The work is extremely interesting, and I was particularly captured by his exploration of the Romantic conceptions of the unconscious, as well as the chapter on unconscious processing. The book comes to the startling conclusion that consciousness is an illusion and that Freud has indeed delivered the "third blow" that will decimate human narcissism in declaring that the unconscious - not consciousness - is the engine that runs our lives.
Stylistically this book is very well crafted, and I appreciated the rather lyrical turns of phrase, which made it quite pleasant to read. Tallis writes in such a way that captivates the reader and draws them completely into the work. Packed with information, this book is extremely insightful and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in learning more about the unconscious mind.
An excellent exploration into the history of the unconscious.
Tallis introduces us to the very beginnings of the concept of the unconscious and carries us through its turbulent history, up to the present day. He takes us through Mesmerism, Romantic conceptions of the unconscious, the work of Janet, Freud and Jung, and the fall and rise of the notion of the unconscious as well as its subsequent reintegration into the brain sciences.
The work is extremely interesting, and I was particularly captured by his exploration of the Romantic conceptions of the unconscious, as well as the chapter on unconscious processing. The book comes to the startling conclusion that consciousness is an illusion and that Freud has indeed delivered the "third blow" that will decimate human narcissism in declaring that the unconscious - not consciousness - is the engine that runs our lives.
Stylistically this book is very well crafted, and I appreciated the rather lyrical turns of phrase, which made it quite pleasant to read. Tallis writes in such a way that captivates the reader and draws them completely into the work. Packed with information, this book is extremely insightful and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in learning more about the unconscious mind.
February 13, 2019
This is more of a wide-ranging history of discoveries re: the unconscious than an in depth look at current "knowledge" (can we ever really know?) thereof. But it's a story well-told, and definitely worth the read. And his conclusion--that current neurological findings support Freud's notion that the unconscious is a much bigger part of us than the conscious--is one I happen to agree with, and find fascinating--mystery lives.
April 12, 2012
very stimulating to me. It's a huge topic and many interesting issues were introduced. I'm a big fan of his fiction and am now going to read his other non-fiction.
February 1, 2020
A quality collection of information and an easy read for such a tough subject.
Author is Keen to point out that it is "a" history of the unconscious. When he begins by stating that "perhaps the first individual to acknowledge that some parts of the mind are necessarily unavailable for introspection was St Augustine" ... I almost put down the book. Other individuals and other cultures have thoroughly pondered the unconscious so I felt this was a poor choice for opening statement and a preference for Western thought only. And it is an account of Western thinking on the unconscious, from St. Augustine up to a handful of neuroscientists.
Short and to the point, never going too deep into any direction. This style worked for this book. The closing chapter does acknowledge that neuroscience and Buddhism are providing a framework for reshaping our models of mind and, when we accept Freud's "third blow" that we are dictated by our unconscious which recognizes that we have limited free will, so too will our moral and other social frameworks be reshaped.
Author is Keen to point out that it is "a" history of the unconscious. When he begins by stating that "perhaps the first individual to acknowledge that some parts of the mind are necessarily unavailable for introspection was St Augustine" ... I almost put down the book. Other individuals and other cultures have thoroughly pondered the unconscious so I felt this was a poor choice for opening statement and a preference for Western thought only. And it is an account of Western thinking on the unconscious, from St. Augustine up to a handful of neuroscientists.
Short and to the point, never going too deep into any direction. This style worked for this book. The closing chapter does acknowledge that neuroscience and Buddhism are providing a framework for reshaping our models of mind and, when we accept Freud's "third blow" that we are dictated by our unconscious which recognizes that we have limited free will, so too will our moral and other social frameworks be reshaped.
September 20, 2021
My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.
June 20, 2020
Very readable history of the concept of the unconscious in Western thought from the Enlightenment to Freud and beyond, examining both the theoretical and the experimental aspects. A must-read for those interested in the history of ideas. The author concludes that this research strongly supports a deterministic view if the mind.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews