Consciousness: Philosophical, Psychological, and Neural Theories

by David Rose

Philosophical, Psychological, and Neural Theories seeks to respond to some of these questions, offering a wealth of information from which the reader can develop their own views of the subject. Taking a critical, thought-provoking approach, the book integrates studies from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience to capture the major themes on which our current understanding of consciousness is based.

Opening with a series of chapters that introduce us to thinking about mind, the book goes on to explore function and brain, examining such topics as functionalism, representation, and brain dynamics.

Genres: Philosophy

474 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2006

Reviews

[Ade Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A snip in OUP's sale with 75 percent reduction. Aimed at advanced underfraduate and postgrads, the book assumes a basic knowledge of psychology and neuropsychology but gives an introductory overview of philosophical debates around the subject as it moves towards an integrative conclusion, albeit stressing that the level of readership at which it is aimed expects a 'knowing about knowing about knowing' level of maturation in learning skills.

It's a useful reference book. The 'philosophical positions' are treated curtly as if they are simple, and that itself says much; it may be useful as a reference to exemplars of certain scienticisms and current obsessions with identifying brain with consciousness/mind. Still, that there is not total identity does not preclude obvious connections, and it's good on summarising relatively recent research and directions.