Scan barcode
A review by josh_96
Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction by Susan Blackmore
4.0
A deeply thought-provoking short book on the idea of consciousness. Curious, interesting, problematic and contradictory. There are more ways to think about this than one would expect, which is strange to say given that a book about the human conscious is obviously going to be deeply layered. It is almost frustrating to think about because it is so endless. You find yourself chasing your tail and turning your thoughts and observations inward, chasing an endless hole with no answer in sight. It's like dividing 10 by 3 and chasing an absolute answer.
So, the question we are presented with is as follows, is consciousness the result of evolutionary intelligence and self-awareness? The result of multiple brain areas working simultaneously and interpreting sensory information given to us by the external world? OR is it something deeper, something different and more mystical than the workings of our physical brain?
If it is the former, then consciousness is an illusion and we are deluded. Which is a possibility, but the illusion seems so incredibly real and compelling. So compelling in fact, that it can be argued that the illusion itself creates consciousness because of how fascinating and magical it is. Thus begins the never ending thought spiral.
If it is the latter, then we acknowledge that consciousness exists outside of our physical reality. In what dimension does consciousness exist? And how do we even come up with an answer for that question? We probably never will. It feels like our thoughts and feelings are more than just atoms and particles bumping together. Human emotions seem far too complex to have been brought about by physical matter.
The book is a short overview of theories, ideas, and opinions of philosophers and scientists. The duality of frustration and delight in having more questions than answers leaves me to think the philosophy and meaning of life is curiosity. Anything else will drive me to insanity.
So, the question we are presented with is as follows, is consciousness the result of evolutionary intelligence and self-awareness? The result of multiple brain areas working simultaneously and interpreting sensory information given to us by the external world? OR is it something deeper, something different and more mystical than the workings of our physical brain?
If it is the former, then consciousness is an illusion and we are deluded. Which is a possibility, but the illusion seems so incredibly real and compelling. So compelling in fact, that it can be argued that the illusion itself creates consciousness because of how fascinating and magical it is. Thus begins the never ending thought spiral.
If it is the latter, then we acknowledge that consciousness exists outside of our physical reality. In what dimension does consciousness exist? And how do we even come up with an answer for that question? We probably never will. It feels like our thoughts and feelings are more than just atoms and particles bumping together. Human emotions seem far too complex to have been brought about by physical matter.
The book is a short overview of theories, ideas, and opinions of philosophers and scientists. The duality of frustration and delight in having more questions than answers leaves me to think the philosophy and meaning of life is curiosity. Anything else will drive me to insanity.