Understanding Consciousness [Paperback]

Max Velmans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0415224926 | ISBN-13: 978-0415224925 | Edition: 1

The mysteries of consciousness have gripped the human imagination for over 2500 years. At the dawn of the new millennium, this book provides solutions to some of the deepest puzzles surrounding its nature and function. Drawing on recent scientific discoveries, Max Velmans challenges conventional reductionist thought, providing an understanding of how consciousness relates to the brain and physical world that is neither dualist, nor reductionist. The book should be of interest to psychologists, philosophers, neuroscientists and other professionals concerned with mind/body relationships, and all who care about this subject.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...presents a lucid, indeed masterly account of the issues... New readers should definitely start here." -- Jeffrey Gray, in The Times Higher Educational Supplement, October 13, 2000

"...this is among the best books written about consciousness over the last decade... it sets a high standard in the natural philosophy of mind." -- Adam Zeman, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, in The Lancet, January 6th, 2001

"..those who are engaged in the cognitive sciences should read this book so as to stimulate their own thinking ... the implications for the field are quite profound." -- Igor Aleksander, Imperial College London, in Trends in Cognitive Science, January, 2001

"Following the best traditions, the book has an explanatory beginning, an unmissable middle and a happy end. ... Velmans maintains a clarity rarely found in the deep abysses of philosophy, psychology and neurophysiology." -- Dora Brown, University of Surrey, in The Psychologist, November 2000

"Max Velmans has written a fundamentally important book...a level of original thinking in his writing that makes a useful contribution to the debate about one of the most complex issues of our time." -- Joan Walton in Caduceus, October, 2000

"This book is excellent ... a lovely book ... I'll be recommending it to everyone I see." -- John Kihlstrom, University of California at Berkeley, pre-publication review

"This is a fine book. In what has become a crowded field, it stands out as direct, deep, and daring. It should place Max Velmans amongst the stars in the field." -- Greg Nixon, Prescott College, Arizona, in the Journal of Consciousness Studies, October 2000

"Understanding Consciousness .. is an ideal text for student and scholar alike and is bound to become a landmark in this rapidly expanding field." -- John Pickering, University of Warwick, in Network, December, 2000

"Velmans...touches on deeply provocative ideas which could yet catalyse the next step forward in understanding consciousness." -- Les Lancaster, Liverpool John Moore's University, in Consciousness & Experiential Psychology, September, 2000

"splendid book ... should have a profound and lasting effect upon the debate as to the nature and function of consciousness." -- David Fontana, University of Cardiff, UK and University of Algarve, Portugal, pre-publication review

About the Author

Max Velmans is currently Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, Visiting Professor of Consciousness Studies at the University of Plymouth. He has been researching, writing and teaching consciousness studies for over 30 years and has over 90 publications in this area.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415224926
• ISBN-13: 978-0415224925
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,386,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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