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dsayling's review against another edition
5.0
Quite the interesting read. Somewhat dated at this point, but still relevant in terms of how little we’ve advanced on the subject of consciousness. As a robo-geek and out-right objector of the philosopher’s zombie, I find the banter between each of the philosophers and neuroscientists rather hilarious. They all really like to poke fun at Dan Dennett, when I think Chalmers should really take the brunt for being the total crackpot. Recommended to anyone curious about their own free will and their sense of self.
franchenstein's review against another edition
3.0
It's a good overview about neuroscience and philosophy of mind regarding consciousness. I tried spacing out the readings of each interview, because I felt that reading them back to back often made it tedious as there is a lot of repetition and re-explanations of concepts. It also makes it harder to differentiate each person's view, turning them all into a blob.
Sometimes I enjoyed Susan's insistence on clarifying the most thorny aspects of the interviewee's views, but it often led to uncharitable portrayals of most of their positions; it lead to a feeling that lots of the theories in the field are just plain silly.
Personally, it demotivated me into going further in studying philosophy of mind, as the whole field seems to have little to add in terms of explanatory power, being more relevant in raising questions. To go deeper into consciousness studies, neuroscience seems to be far more relevant, but at this point in life I'm not sure I could switch to such an intricate field.
Sometimes I enjoyed Susan's insistence on clarifying the most thorny aspects of the interviewee's views, but it often led to uncharitable portrayals of most of their positions; it lead to a feeling that lots of the theories in the field are just plain silly.
Personally, it demotivated me into going further in studying philosophy of mind, as the whole field seems to have little to add in terms of explanatory power, being more relevant in raising questions. To go deeper into consciousness studies, neuroscience seems to be far more relevant, but at this point in life I'm not sure I could switch to such an intricate field.
tittamarja's review against another edition
3.0
Kiinnostavaa lukea eri tieteentekijöiden näkökulmia tietoisuuteen. Kirja on haastetattelumuotoinen, mikä tekee sen helppolukuiseksi vaikka tietoisuuden tutkimus ei ennestään olisikaan tuttua. Monet muut tietoisuuskirjat ovat maallikolle aika korkealentoista teoriaa, mutta tässä haastateltavat eivät pääse jaarittelemaan omiaan, kun napakka haastattelija pyytää tarkennuksia ja pitää keskustelun oikeilla urilla.
jgauthier's review against another edition
3.0
Great way to get a broad view of the field of consciousness studies in a short amount of time. Lots of good book references for further reading!
Be aware that interview quality is highly variable. Highly recommend Churchland (2x), Penrose, Dennett, Searle.
Be aware that interview quality is highly variable. Highly recommend Churchland (2x), Penrose, Dennett, Searle.
augustmcwake's review against another edition
4.0
*Expectations of this book*: Wow! I'm so excited to learn more about what scientists know about consciousness!
*Tl;dr/Reality of this book*: Microtubules and quantum coherence? Neurons and synapses? Multiple drafts and heterophenomenology? Oh, okay. Got it. No one really has any idea what consciousness is or how to study it.
*Tl;dr/Reality of this book*: Microtubules and quantum coherence? Neurons and synapses? Multiple drafts and heterophenomenology? Oh, okay. Got it. No one really has any idea what consciousness is or how to study it.
roba's review
4.0
Excellent series of interviews with many of the leading/famous figures in consciousness studies (Dennett, the Chalmers zombie guy, Penrose, John Searle, Thomas Metzinger etc.). Blackmore does an excellent job as an interviewer. Although she has her own definite opinions on the subject (she claims to actually experience Dennett's diffuse, bundle-y self), she's open-minded enough to really make sure she her subjects are telling us the truest, clearest explanation of their theories, while still giving them a challenge. As a consequence, there's a lot more nuance here than there might be in a more conventional survey of the field. Plus, you get an entertaining sense of various interesting personalities, plus a fair bit of academic bitchiness.
The only thing missing is an interview with Blackmore's husband, Adam Hart-Davis. You just know he's built his own mock-Tudor model of consciousness held together with G-clamps in his shed.
The only thing missing is an interview with Blackmore's husband, Adam Hart-Davis. You just know he's built his own mock-Tudor model of consciousness held together with G-clamps in his shed.
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