Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind
Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 10
0062906712
ISBN 13
9780062906717
Category
100-149 General Philosophy & Metaphysics
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Publication Year
2019
Publisher
Pages
144
Subject
Consciousness. Cognitive neuroscience.
Tags
Abstract
"What is consciousness? How does it arise? And why does it exist? We take our experience of being in the world for granted. But the very existence of consciousness raises profound questions: Why would any collection of matter in the universe be conscious? How are we able to think about this? And why should we? In this wonderfully accessible book, Annaka Harris guides us through the evolving definitions, philosophies, and scientific findings that probe our limited understanding of consciousness. Where does it reside, and what gives rise to it? Could it be an illusion, or a universal property of all matter? As we try to understand consciousness, we must grapple with how to define it and, in the age of artificial intelligence, who or what might possess it. Conscious offers lively and challenging arguments that alter our ideas about consciousness--allowing us to think freely about it for ourselves, if indeed we can."--Jacket
Description
Publisher Comments
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"If you've ever wondered how you have the capacity to wonder, some fascinating insights await you in these pages." Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals
As concise and enlightening as Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, this mind-expanding dive into the mystery of consciousness is an illuminating meditation on the self, free will, and felt experience.
What is consciousness? How does it arise? And why does it exist? We take our experience of being in the world for granted. But the very existence of consciousness raises profound questions: Why would any collection of matter in the universe be conscious? How are we able to think about this? And why should we?
In this wonderfully accessible book, Annaka Harris guides us through the evolving definitions, philosophies, and scientific findings that probe our limited understanding of consciousness. Where does it reside, and what gives rise to it? Could it be an illusion, or a universal property of all matter? As we try to understand consciousness, we must grapple with how to define it and, in the age of artificial intelligence, who or what might possess it.
Conscious offers lively and challenging arguments that alter our ideas about consciousness — allowing us to think freely about it for ourselves, if indeed we can
Review
"A fascinating book that literally illuminates the enduring mystery of consciousness. Harris makes the journey direct, clear, entertaining, and above all accessible — even to someone like me, who'd never before gotten my head around this complex topic." Gavin de Becker, author of The Gift of Fear
Review
"Annaka Harris has a rare gift to breathe wonder into the familiar. In Conscious, her target is our very selves. She offers each reader the bracing pleasure of becoming an enigma, lucidly explains the experiments that underwrite her offer, and persuasively argues that one of the greatest mysteries of science may be sitting in your chair." Donald Hoffman, cognitive scientist and author of Visual Intelligence and The Case Against Reality
Review
"Conscious offers the clearest, most compelling explanation that I've seen of consciousness. If you've ever wondered how you have the capacity to wonder, some fascinating insights await you in these pages." Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals, Give and Take, and Option B
Review
"There is a profound intellectual adventure awaiting the reader of this exquisite book." Rebecca Goldstein, philosopher and author of Plato at the Googleplex
About the Author
Annaka Harris is the author of CONSCIOUS: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind. She is an editor and consultant for science writers, specializing in neuroscience and physics, whose work has appeared in the New York Times. Annaka is the author of the children's book I Wonder, a collaborator on the Mindful Games Activity Cards by Susan Kaiser Greenland, and a volunteer mindfulness teacher for the Inner Kids organization. She lives with her husband, the neuroscientist, author, and podcaster Sam Harris, and their two children.
annakaharris.com
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"If you've ever wondered how you have the capacity to wonder, some fascinating insights await you in these pages." Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals
As concise and enlightening as Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, this mind-expanding dive into the mystery of consciousness is an illuminating meditation on the self, free will, and felt experience.
What is consciousness? How does it arise? And why does it exist? We take our experience of being in the world for granted. But the very existence of consciousness raises profound questions: Why would any collection of matter in the universe be conscious? How are we able to think about this? And why should we?
In this wonderfully accessible book, Annaka Harris guides us through the evolving definitions, philosophies, and scientific findings that probe our limited understanding of consciousness. Where does it reside, and what gives rise to it? Could it be an illusion, or a universal property of all matter? As we try to understand consciousness, we must grapple with how to define it and, in the age of artificial intelligence, who or what might possess it.
Conscious offers lively and challenging arguments that alter our ideas about consciousness — allowing us to think freely about it for ourselves, if indeed we can
Review
"A fascinating book that literally illuminates the enduring mystery of consciousness. Harris makes the journey direct, clear, entertaining, and above all accessible — even to someone like me, who'd never before gotten my head around this complex topic." Gavin de Becker, author of The Gift of Fear
Review
"Annaka Harris has a rare gift to breathe wonder into the familiar. In Conscious, her target is our very selves. She offers each reader the bracing pleasure of becoming an enigma, lucidly explains the experiments that underwrite her offer, and persuasively argues that one of the greatest mysteries of science may be sitting in your chair." Donald Hoffman, cognitive scientist and author of Visual Intelligence and The Case Against Reality
Review
"Conscious offers the clearest, most compelling explanation that I've seen of consciousness. If you've ever wondered how you have the capacity to wonder, some fascinating insights await you in these pages." Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals, Give and Take, and Option B
Review
"There is a profound intellectual adventure awaiting the reader of this exquisite book." Rebecca Goldstein, philosopher and author of Plato at the Googleplex
About the Author
Annaka Harris is the author of CONSCIOUS: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind. She is an editor and consultant for science writers, specializing in neuroscience and physics, whose work has appeared in the New York Times. Annaka is the author of the children's book I Wonder, a collaborator on the Mindful Games Activity Cards by Susan Kaiser Greenland, and a volunteer mindfulness teacher for the Inner Kids organization. She lives with her husband, the neuroscientist, author, and podcaster Sam Harris, and their two children.
annakaharris.com
Biblio Notes
Genre/Form: Nonfiction
Additional Physical Format: Online version:
Harris, Annaka.
Conscious.
(OCoLC)1228081805
Document Type: Book
All Authors / Contributors: Annaka Harris
ISBN: 9780062906717 0062906712
OCLC Number: 1050616685
Description: 130 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm
Contents: A mystery hiding in plain sight --
Intuitions and illusions --
Is consciousness free? --
Along for the ride --
Who are we? --
Is consciousness everywhere? --
Beyond panpsychism --
Consciousness and time.
Responsibility: Annaka Harris.
Number of Copies
1
