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The nature of consciousness has been mulled over by a multitude of philosophers over the centuries, and Hofstadter's "I am a Strange Loop" is a well written, fun
to read synthesis of these mullings. Hofstadter makes a strong argument that consciousness emerges from sensory feedback loops between our personal symbolic computer - the brain - and our environment. While the basic ideas in the book build upon both his own previous ideas (Godel, Escher, Bach), Hofstadter integrates a wide variety of supporting and dissenting views into his argument while showing the consequences of his hypothesis on science, religion, sex, drugs, and rock & roll (OK, mostly classical music, but anyway). His characteristically engaging style of whimsical metaphor is a pleasure to read, and though the subject
matter of the book - consciousness itself - is relatively complex, it could not be presented in a more accessible, easy to understand way. As a scientist, the book was a reminder to me about the usefulness of analogies and metaphors in making a good story, even a non-fiction story, and Hofstadter once again gives us a great model for clear, non-pedantic, effective scientific story telling.
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Read the original essay by Donald Worster and save 30% on A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir.
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Benjamin Dubin-Thaler, April 11, 2007
The nature of consciousness has been mulled over by a multitude of philosophers over the centuries, and Hofstadter's "I am a Strange Loop" is a well written, funto read synthesis of these mullings. Hofstadter makes a strong argument that consciousness emerges from sensory feedback loops between our personal symbolic computer - the brain - and our environment. While the basic ideas in the book build upon both his own previous ideas (Godel, Escher, Bach), Hofstadter integrates a wide variety of supporting and dissenting views into his argument while showing the consequences of his hypothesis on science, religion, sex, drugs, and rock & roll (OK, mostly classical music, but anyway). His characteristically engaging style of whimsical metaphor is a pleasure to read, and though the subject
matter of the book - consciousness itself - is relatively complex, it could not be presented in a more accessible, easy to understand way. As a scientist, the book was a reminder to me about the usefulness of analogies and metaphors in making a good story, even a non-fiction story, and Hofstadter once again gives us a great model for clear, non-pedantic, effective scientific story telling.
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