Cognitive Science: A Primer

by John Parrington

This primer provides a foundation in the main principles of cognitive science, offering a holistic account of what science reveals about the material basis of both animal and human consciousness. The book discusses in detail how neurons and glial cells (the two main types of cells in the brain) work together to generate cognitive function, while also drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy of mind to explore the unique aspects of human consciousness. Ultimately, while we need to explain our conscious minds at the molecular and cellular level in terms of neuronal and glial cell function, we also need to be aware that human consciousness has undergone a qualitative shift that distinguishes it from the consciousness of other species.

This book will serve as a valuable resource for undergraduates studying biomedical sciences, biology, medicine, psychology, philosophy of mind, and related subjects. The chapters cover a diverse array of scientific perspectives to provide students of all disciplines with a comprehensive and detailed understanding of this fascinating topic.


This book is suitable for students taking undergraduate and masters courses in medicine, biomedicine, pharmacology, psychology, philosophy of mind, and related fields.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2025

About the author

John Parrington is an Associate Professor in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Oxford.