Synopses & Reviews
Consciousness is at the very core of the human condition. Yet only in recent decades has it become a major focus in the brain and behavioral sciences. Scientists now know that consciousness involves many levels of brain functioning, from brainstem to cortex. The almost seventy articles in this book reflect the breadth and depth of this burgeoning field. The many topics covered include consciousness in vision and inner speech, immediate memory and attention, waking, dreaming, coma, the effects of brain damage, fringe consciousness, hypnosis, and dissociation.
Underlying all the selections are the questions, What difference does consciousness make? What are its properties? What role does it play in the nervous system? How do conscious brain functions differ from unconscious ones? The focus of the book is on scientific evidence and theory. The editors have also chosen introductory articles by leading scientists to allow a wide variety of new readers to gain insight into the field.
Review
"This book heralds the true renaissance that the scientific study of consciousness has now initiated. These papers will inspire a new generation of students who will build on the novel technologies, concepts, and data provided here."--J. Allan Hobson, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Review
Baars, Banks, and Newman have assembled the most important scientific work on consciousness of the last few decades, from modern classics to ground-breaking research. There is hardly a pivotal work or central topic not represented in this comprehensive volume. Nobody now working on consciousness will want to be without this splendid collection, both for the work it contains and the balanced, thoughtful overview it affords. The MIT Press
Review
"This is a stunning collection of both foundational and cutting-edge works on the nature and functions of consciousness. The editors have provided an invaluable service by pulling together an enormous range of material, allowing readers to appreciate in depth the many facets of this fascinating phenomenon. After the publication of this book, no one ever again can reasonably question whether consciousness is an appropriate topic for scientific research."--Stephen M. Kosslyn, John Lindsley Professor of Psychology in Memory of William James, Harvard University
Review
This book does not simply serve as an invaluable resource for researchers in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, emotion, personality psychology, motivation, perception, social psychology, and related fields -- it also defines the new field of social neuroscience in the most effective way, by example. No library should be without this superb collection. David M. Rosenthal, Philosophy and Cognitive Science, City University of New York, Graduate Center
Review
"Noe and Thompson have assembled the most important modern philosophical classics on visual perception together with some recent cutting-edge philosophical and scientific work. The result is a model of what an anthology should be--at once a fine instructional text and a first-rate research and reference tool."--David M. Rosenthal, Philosophy and Cognitive Science, City University of New York, Graduate CenterPlease note: Note that there should be an umlaut over the e in Noe's name. Thanks. The MIT Press
Review
"These nuggets are as stimulating as they are informative. They are more than simply the foundations of a new field -- they provide a springboard for all those interested in becoming part of this exciting enterprise."--Stephen M. Kosslyn, John Lindsley Professor of Psychology in Memory of William James, Harvard University
Review
"The revised *Handbook* is an extraordinarily valuable resource for psychologists, neuroscientists, and all others interested in the ways that neuroimaging is illuminating the relation between mind and brain. An enormous amount of ground is covered in these articles, and they provide a systematic review and integration of the field. Students, teachers, and researchers in many fields have a lot to gain from the rich overview of theory and findings in these pages."--Stephen M. Kosslyn, John Lindsley Professor of Psychology in Memory of William James, Harvard University The MIT Press
Review
"This is an excellent book which addresses a very important set of current issues, sets them within a highly useful historical context, and uses that context as a touchstone for a valuable critical study. It will make a serious contribution to the discussion of simulation theory, and it should excite serious thinking about Stueber's central and suggestive hypothesis about the role of mirror neurons."--David M. Rosenthal, Philosophy and Cognitive Science, City University of New York, Graduate Center
Synopsis
Current thinking and research on consciousness and the brain.
Synopsis
Underlying all the selections are the questions, What difference does consciousness make? What are its properties? What role does it play in the nervous system? How do conscious brain functions differ from unconscious ones? The focus of the book is on scientific evidence and theory. The editors have also chosen introductory articles by leading scientists to allow a wide variety of new readers to gain insight into the field.
About the Author
Bernard J. Baars is Senior Fellow in Theoretical Neurobiology at The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego.William P. Banks is Professor of Psychology at Pomona College and editor-in-chief of the journal Consciousness and Cognition.The late James B. Newman was a member of the Department of Psychology at the Colorado Neurological Institute.