Soul dust : the magic of consciousness / Nicholas Humphrey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Humphrey, Nicholas.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Consciousness.

Physical Description:

xii, 243 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Other Title:

Magic of consciousness

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, [2011]

Summary:

In Soul Dust, Nicholas Humphrey, a leading figure in consciousness research, proposes a startling new theory-that consciousness is nothing less than a magical-mystery show that we stage for ourselves inside our own heads. This self-made show lights up the world for us and makes us feel special and transcendent. Thus consciousness paves the way for spirituality, and allows us to reap the rewards, and anxieties, of living in what Humphrey calls the "soul niche."

Tightly argued, intellectually gripping, and a joy to read, Soul Dust provides answers to the deepest questions. It shows how the problem of consciousness merges with questions that obsess us all-how life should be lived and the fear of death. Resting firmly on neuroscience and evolutionary theory, and drawing a wealth of insights from philosophy and literature, Soul Dust is an uncompromising yet life-affirming work-one that never loses sight of the majesty and wonder of consciousness. Book jacket.

Contents:

Coming-to explained

Being "like something"

Sentition

Looping the loop

So what?

Being there

The enchanted world

So that is who I am!

Being number one

Entering the soul niche

Dangerous territory

Cheating death

Envoi.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-238) and index.

ISBN:

9780691138626

0691138621

OCLC:

660161988