Interest on the subjects of mind, consciousness and life is growing exponentially, and is affecting a growing number of disciplines. What used to be the exclusive domain of philosophical speculation is now part of scientific research conducted by neurologists, biologists, physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, archeologists, anthropologists and psychologists. This book provides an overview for ordinary humans of one of the most exciting fields of study of our days. It offers a survey of the philosophical mind-body debate, of neurological models of the brain, of computational theories of cognition (Artificial Intelligence, Connectionism, Cybernetics), of post-Darwinian biology, of theories on memory, reasoning, learning, emotions, common sense, dreams, language, metaphor, and, last but not least, consciousness itself.
The book offers a fascinating journey around the world of the scientific ideas that are likely to shape the intellectual scenario of the third millennium.
