Overview
The problem of consciousness continues to be a subject of great debate in cognitive science. Synthesizing decades of research, The Conscious Brain advances a new theory of the psychological and neurophysiological correlates of conscious experience. Prinz's account of consciousness makes two main claims: first consciousness always arises at a particular stage of perceptual processing, the intermediate level, and, second, consciousness depends on attention. Attention changes the flow of information allowing perceptual information to access memory systems. Neurobiologically, this change in flow depends on synchronized neural firing. Neural synchrony is also implicated in the unity of consciousness and in the temporal duration of experience. Prinz also explores the limits of consciousness. We have no direct experience of our thoughts, no experience of motor commands, and no experience of a conscious self. All consciousness is perceptual, and it functions to make perceptual information available to systems that allows for flexible behavior. Prinz concludes by discussing prevailing philosophical puzzles. He provides a neuroscientifically grounded response to the leading argument for dualism, and argues that materialists need not choose between functional and neurobiological approaches, but can instead combine these into neurofunctional response to the mind-body problem.The Conscious Brain brings neuroscientific evidence to bear on enduring philosophical questions, while also surveying, challenging, and extending philosophical and scientific theories of consciousness. All readers interested in the nature of consciousness will find Prinz's work of great interest.
Full Product Details
Author: Jesse J. Prinz (Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, CUNY Graduate Center)
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:
Width: 23.10cm
, Height: 2.80cm
, Length: 15.50cm
Weight: 0.590kg
ISBN: 9780190218959
ISBN 10: 0190218959
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 26 March 2015
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
"""The Conscious Brain achieves three great successes. First, it outlines the possibility of a unified theory of consciousness. Second, it provides a plausible, thorough, and empirically supported account of a perceptual theory of consciousness. And, third, it demonstrates the depth to which first- and third-person events can be theoretically correlated and identities defended.... A spectacularly broad-ranging synthesis of extant scientific and philosophical work on consciousness, it is a unique accomplishment."" --Philosophical Psychology"
The Conscious Brain is highly readable throughout and offers a detailed and balanced overview of the relevant scientific literature. The arguments it presents are sophisticated, subtle, and engaging, and interrelated in such a way that it gives us a glimmer of hope that one day we will discover a complete theory of consciousness ... Now go buy a copy and give your braina treat! Sam Clarke, Philosophy Now
Author Information
Jesse J. Prinz is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the City University of New York, Graduate Center
