Consciousness: Very Short Introduction by Susan Blackmore

Consciousness is a controversial topic and the last great mystery for science. In this book, Susan Blackmore challenges readers to reconsider key concepts such as personality, free will, and the soul.

The book explores how a physical brain creates our experience of the world and covers topics such as vision and attention, theories of self, experiments on action and awareness, altered states of consciousness, and the effects of brain damage and drugs.

What I Liked

I remember laughing out loud – mainly because this book feels like it knows what you’re thinking about thinking. Consciousness is really, really bizarre – and totally taken for granted. Science has only just begun studying it effectively. This book gives a good framework about how to think about thinking.

Also – it’s a Very Short Introduction, so everything. It’s concise, well-sourced, readable, and useful.

What I Did Not Like

Nothing – VSIs are always worthwhile.

Consciousness: Very Short Introduction by Susan Blackmore

$13.21

In Consciousness: Very Short Introduction, Susan Blackmore dives into the puzzling world of consciousness, tackling tricky ideas like free will and the nature of the self. I found myself laughing as she really gets into how strange our awareness can be—it’s something we often overlook. Blackmore presents a solid way to think about our thoughts, covering everything from brain function to altered states. Plus, it's a quick read that's well-researched and engaging. Honestly, I can’t find anything to critique; these Very Short Introductions are always a win in my book!

Pros:

• The book challenges readers to reconsider key concepts like personality and free will.
• It provides a good framework for understanding consciousness.
• The writing is concise, well-sourced, and readable.

Cons:

• Nothing - VSIs are always worthwhile.

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01/14/2025 05:42 pm GMT