Daniel Clement Dennett — Consciousness Explained

Penguin. 1993; Paperback; goed exemplaar / good copy. <p><b>In <i>Consciousness Explained</i>, Daniel C. Dennett reveals the secrets of one of the last remaining mysteries of the universe: the human brain.</b> <p> Daniel C. Dennett's now-classic book blends philosophy, psychology and neuroscience - with the aid of numerous examples and thought-experiments - to explore how consciousness has evolved, and how a modern understanding of the human mind is radically different from conventional explanations of consciousness. <p> What people think of as the stream of consciousness is not a single, unified sequence, the author argues, but 'multiple drafts' of reality composed by a computer-like 'virtual machine'. <p> Dennett explains how science has exploded the classic mysteries of consciousness: the nature of introspection, the self or ego and its relation to thoughts and sensations, the problems posed by qualia, and the level of consciousness of non-human creatures. <p> 'Brilliant ... a torrent of stimulating thought'<br> Richard Dawkins <p> 'Revolutionary ... one of the most mentally agile, intellectually resourceful books you are likely to read'<br> <i>Guardian</i> <p> 'A masterful tapestry of deep insights ... Dennett has written a profound and important book that is also clear, exciting and witty'<br> Douglas R. Hofstadter, author of <i>Gödel, Escher, Bach</i> <p> 'Extraordinary ... supremely engaging and witty'<br> <i>Independent</i> <p> 'Dennett's exposition is nothing short of brilliant, the best example I've seen of a science book aimed at both professionals and general readers'<br> <i>The New York Times Book Review</i> <p> <b>Daniel C. Dennett</b> is one of the most original and provocative thinkers in the world. A brilliant polemicist and philosopher, he is famous for challenging unexamined orthodoxies, and an outspoken supporter of the Brights movement. His books include <i>Brainstorms</i>, <i>Brainchildren</i>, <i>Elbow Room</i>, <i>Breaking the Spell</i>, <i>Darwin's Dangerous Idea</i> and <i>Freedom Evolves</i>.</p>