An introduction by guy saunders there has been a plethora of books on consciousness in the last ten to fifteen years. Her book, conversations on consciousness is a collection of 20 interviews, with 21 of the leading thinkers on consciousness. Susan blackmore is a psychologist, writer, and visiting professor at the university of plymouth. Covering areas such as the construction of self in the brain, mechanisms of attention, the neural correlates of consciousness, and the physiology of altered states of consciousness. A very short introduction by susan blackmore read the hard problem of consciousness of how the physical matter of the brain produces the psychological phenomenon of consciousness has dogged psychologists and neuroscientists for decades. Her fields of research include memes, evolutionary theory, psychology, parapsychology, consciousness, and she is best known for her book the meme machine.
Susan blackmores consciousness skeptical about skeptics. It was published by oxford university press and has a total of 480 pages in the book. Jun 25, 2010 buy consciousness 2 by blackmore, susan isbn. Challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul. Consciousness an introduction by susan blackmore hardcover. Susan jane blackmore born 29 july 1951 is a british writer, lecturer, sceptic, broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth. Combines the perspectives of philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience on the subject of consciousness. Blackmore is careful to make sure the reader is always aware of the larger significance of the discussion. Susan blackmore sue blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer and broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth. Susan blackmore is a writer who holds an enthusiastic obsession over what consciousness means and how current research is attempting to define conscious in terms of scientific principles. Susan blackmore is a writer, lecturer, and visiting professor at the university of plymouth, uk.
This lively, engaging, and authoritative book provides a. The reader should already be wellacquainted with the concepts of memes and. Susan blackmore an exploration of consciousness explains key theories on action and awareness, looks at the question of free will, and questions whether consciousness itself is an illusion. All my books and articles are listed in publications. Susan blackmore consciousness and the nature of experience. Though merely an introduction, susan blackmores consciousness is surprisingly thorough. Susan blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer, and a visiting professor at the university of the plymouth. This book does what it was designed to do it involves anyone i believe who reads it in the hard problem of consciousness, that is in reflection on explanations of the fact of subjective experience arising from neural structures there are a few other themes debated here like the problem of free will, but. Susan jane blackmore born 29 july 1951 is a british writer, lecturer, sceptic, broadcaster, and a visiting professor at the university of plymouth, in plymouth.
Written in a colloquial and engaging style the book records the conversations sue had when she met these influential thinkers, whether at conferences in arizona. The psychologist susan blackmore chooses the five best books that tackle consciousness and the hard problem of accounting for its existence. Consciousness an introduction by blackmore, susan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A very short introduction challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul. That was a brilliant idea of sue blackmore, and the results are quite impressive. Susan blackmore the last great mystery for science, consciousness has become a controversial topic. And the full naturalization of human nature might have considerable personal, moral and even spiritual implications, which is why, ultimately, we might care about consciousness. Her research ranges through outofbody experiences and claims of the paranormal to minds, memes, and the mysteries of consciousness and free will. Before you read greg stones excellent critique of skeptic susan blackmore s theory of the nde, you may want to first read a brief description of susan blackmore s hypothesis. A common shortcoming of introductory accounts of consciousness is an overreliance on an oftenregurgitated set of case studies that many authors dutifully recite without following up on the implications. Dying to live, in search of the light, and her latest, the meme machine. Susan blackmore is dedicated to understanding the scientific nature of consciousness. Reading it, i find she really does know what shes talking about. Susan jane blackmore is an english freelance writer, lecturer, and broadcaster on psychology and the paranormal, perhaps best known for her book the meme machine.
She is the author of conversations on consciousness 2006, a very short introduction to consciousness 2005, and the meme machine 1999, all published by oxford university press. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Her book the meme machine 1999 has been translated into 16 languages. She has written or contributed to over 40 books and 60 scholarly articles and is a contributor to the guardian newspaper. She is a ted lecturer, blogs for the guardian and psychology today, and frequently appears on radio. The best books on consciousness recommended by susan blackmore. An introduction 2004, is a textbook that broadly covers the field of consciousness studies. Full debate the secrets of consciousness philip goff, susan blackmore, nicholas humphrey duration. Aug 09, 2017 psychologist and consciousness researcher, susan blackmore, talks about her outofbody experience and her research in her new book seeing myself the new science of outofbody experiences. Consciousness and out of body experiences, with dr. Before you read greg stones excellent critique of skeptic susan blackmores theory of the nde, you may want to first read a brief description of susan blackmores hypothesis. The meme machine 1999 has been translated into 16 languages. Dan dennetts book consciousness explained came out.
The book examines topics such as how subjective experiences arise from objective brain processes. Consciousness a very short introduction by susan blackmore. A critique of susan blackmores dying brain hypothesis by. Jun 25, 2010 one day, all consciousness textbooks will be made this way. An introduction oup, 2003, a very short introduction to consciousness oup and conversations on consciousness oup uk, 2005. Consciousness an introduction by susan blackmore hardcover book. This book is full to the brim with theories, hypothesis and potential explanations which are all interesting, especially in light of the fact that consciousness is very difficult. Psychologist and consciousness researcher, susan blackmore, talks about her outofbody experience and her research in her new book seeing myself the new science of. Consciousness paperback susan blackmore oxford university. An introduction 2nd second edition, by susan blackmore to be best seller lately. Understanding the difference is the crux of consciousness.
An introduction is an invaluable addition to the area of consciousness research. Blackmore and trosciankos book remains the best introduction to consciousness on the market. This groundbreaking textbook by bestselling author susan blackmore was the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of. A whole hour discussing the meaning of consciousness. Susan blackmore, a former lecturer in psychology at the university of the west of england in bristol, casts a wide net in exploring what she calls the last great mystery of science. The experiments and case studies she presents are entertaining and thoughtprovoking, as they seek evidence in dreaming, synaesthesia, multiple personalities, ouijah boards, outofbody and neardeath experiences, animal consciousness, and so on. In 1973, susan blackmore graduated from st hildas college, oxford, with a degree in psychology and physiology. Written in a colloquial and engaging style the book records the conversations sue had when she met these influential thinkers, whether at conferences in arizona or antwerp, or in their labs or homes in oxford or. Shes exploring the existence of a new class of meme, spread by human technology. This groundbreaking new book by bestselling author susan blackmore is the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of. And in 1994, the first tucson conference on consciousness was started. The title of this book is consciousness and it was written by susan blackmore.
Blackmore outlines the scientific findings on consciousness. Daniel dennetts book consciousness explained 1991 was an early example of the genre. An introduction, which examines the scientific nature of subjective experience. Jul 07, 2017 full debate the secrets of consciousness philip goff, susan blackmore, nicholas humphrey duration. People often ask me what to read on a particular subject. Its also one of the most intriguing subjects, and fascination with it has spurred debate both between science and religion and within science. This edition of consciousness, revised by author team susan blackmore and emily troscianko, explores the key theories and evidence in consciousness studies ranging from neuroscience and psychology to quantum theories and philosophy. This book is full to the brim with theories, hypothesis and potential explanations which are all interesting, especially in light of the fact that consciousness is very difficult even to define. A very short introduction by susan blackmore my rating.
She has a degree in psychology and physiology from oxford university 1973 an msc and a phd in parapsychology from the university of surrey 1980. The experiments and case studies she presents are entertaining and thoughtprovoking, as they seek evidence in dreaming, synaesthesia, multiple personalities, ouijah boards, outof. An introduction 2nd second edition, by susan blackmore. This controversial book clarifies the potentially confusing arguments, and the major theories, whilst also outlining the amazing pace of discoveries in neuroscience. The strength of this book is perhaps not continue reading consciousness. Her latest work centers on the existence of memes little bits of knowledge, lore, habit that seem to spread themselves using human brains as mere carriers.
Dan dennett and me in conversation about his new book at the bristol festival of ideas. Its always good to read books by those whom you disagree with but know what they are talking about. See for example the sections theories of consciousness p. Her book, conversations on consciousness is a collection of 20 interviews. Susan blackmores bold and fascinating book the meme machine pushes the new theory of memetics farther than anyone else has, including its originator richard dawkins. Though merely an introduction, susan blackmore s consciousness is surprisingly thorough. An introduction 2nd second edition, by susan blackmore will always provide you motivations. Her fields of research include memetics, parapsychology, consciousness, and she is best known for her book the meme machine. This groundbreaking new book by bestselling author susan blackmore is the first of its kind to bring together all the major theories of consciousness studies, from those based on neuroscience to those based on quantum theory or eastern philosophy.
So thorough, in fact, that one occasionally wishes shed just get on with it. A muchneeded launch pad for the further exploration of this complicated, controversial, and unresolved issue. It examines why the term consciousness has no recognised definition and provides an opportunity to delve. Susan blackmore is a psychologist, ted lecturer, and writer researching consciousness, memes, meditation, and anomalous experiences, and is visiting professor in psychology at the university of plymouth. We provide you the best deal by obtaining the spectacular book.
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