An Objective Tour of Consciousness
926292
Comprehensive, deep, perhaps even intellectually orgasimic.  The Science of Knowledge contains the most stunning criticisms, elaborations, and evolutions of the Kantian line.  Anyone who is disenchanted with modern philsophy and thinks that critical metaphysics is dead should read this book first.  Practically every significant problem that is posed in modern philsophy of mind is addressed and solved!  Fichte's Transcendental Idealism should become a western Zen Mantra!
Oh yeah, and follow the white rabbit.
4451054
Mindblowing book that synthesizes many topics.  Is really an exploration of sentience and self-awareness, and how a consciousness and a "self" can arise out of ignoble matter.  The key insight is that recursive algorithms that are self-referential develop new statements and patterns in a form of emergent behavior.  The book shows that such algorithms are found everywhere: in mathematics, music, language, art, etc.  Some consider this one of the essential reads for folks interested in artificial intelligence
3390652
I think that most of us would agree that consciousness remains one of the major unsolved problems in science. Though there are still some scientists and philosophers who think that it is no more than a grand illusion created by a series of neural reflexes, common sense, personal insight and observation really tell us otherwise.

So how do the feelings and sensations that make up conscious experience arise from the actions of neurons and their associated synaptic and molecular processes? Or is there enough evidence to indicate that the mind is not a product of neural activity, but is instead a universal field that is constrained by the brain?

This fine book proposes that consciousness can be understood using the insights of modern physics and other sciences.

The book is divided into 14 chapters:

1. The path ahead by Jack A. Tuszynski and Nancy Woolf

2. Consciousness and quantum physics: empirical research on the subjective reduction of the state vector by  Dick J. Bierman and Stephen Whitmarsh

3. Microtubules in the cerebral cortex: role in memory and consciousness by Nancy J. Woolf

4. Towards experimental tests of quantum effects in cytoskeletal proteins by Andreas Mershin and Hugo Sanabria and John H. Miller and Dharmakeerthna Nawarathna and Efthimios M. C. Skoulakis and Nikolaos E. Mavromatos and Alexadre A. Kolomenskii and Hans A. Schuessler and Richard F. Luduena and Dimitri V. Nanopoulos

5. Physicalism, chaos and reductionism by Alwyn Scott

6. Consciousness, neurobiology and quantum mechanics: the case for a connection by Stuart Hameroff

7. Life, catalysis and excitable media: a dynamic systems approach to metabolism and cognition by  Christopher James Davia

8. The dendritic cytoskeleton as a computational device: a hypothesis by Avner Priel and Jack A. Tuszynski and Horacion F. Cantiello

9. Recurrent quantum neural network and its applications by Laxmidhar Behera and Indrani Kar and Avshalom C. Elitzur

10. Microtubules as a quantum Hopfield network by Elizabeth C. Behrman and K. Gaddam and J. E. Steck and S.R. Skinner

11. Consciousness and quantum brain dynamics by Gordon Globus

12. The CEMI field theory: seven clues to the nature of consciousness by Johnjoe McFadden

13. Quantum cosmology and the hard problem of the conscious brain by Chris King

14. Consciousness and logic in a quantum computing universe by Paola Zizzi

Each chapter begins with a brief summary that is most valuable if any of the topics is unfamiliar. Most of the chapters contain some original research data as well as a comprehensive discussion, summary and references.

Virtually all the authors have been widely published elsewhere and this book represents their current views about consciousness. Considering the number of eminent experts in the book, there is a remarkable uniformity of style.

There is some mathematics in a few of the chapters, but nothing too complex.

The intention of the book was clearly to present many different views of the consciousness problem, and as such it succeeds extremely well. It does not come to a final answer, but is instead a summary of where we are in understanding the physics of consciousness.

The book highlights the important fact that consciousness is a highly interdisciplinary issue. We do not have all the answers, but we are asking better questions. And some world-class scientists are finding a way out of the empty impasse of trying to reduce consciousness to an epiphenomenon of neural activity.

The book needs a little understanding of mathematics and the basics of quantum mechanics. But it is otherwise not a difficult read.

If you are interested in consciousness and its interaction with the physical and biological worlds, this is an excellent book that I recommend highly.
2999253
This is a very important book.
It proves convincingly that consciousness is a matter of ... matter (the biological matter of the brain) and that it is the outcome of a long history of biological adaptations.
It also proves that the mind is not a computer or a Turing machine, that human language is not a computer language and that physics is not sufficient to explain its working. The morphology of the brain goes deep, but not as deep as to attain the quantum level.
On the contrary, Edelman explains clearly that the mind is a process that operates in a 4 dimensional world; that it doesn't have a perfect memory or doesn't order events or objects logically. It is subject to mutation in order to select and to adapt and creates itself aspects of the reality by cultural and language interaction. Into the bargain, the biological structure of the brain is different for every individual.
Edelman's theory has also far reaching philosophical implications. It is the death of essentialism (there are no 'essences', only populations with different individuals) and of idealism (the world was there before the mind).
Is Edelman's TNGS (theory of neural group selection) the end of the story? Absolutely not. It is only the beginning. It forms the basis for further investigations. But it clearly indicates which way to follow and which ways not.
I have only one reservation: Edelman's nearly unconditional admiration for Freud.
This is an essential read.
534883
This was a fun book to read. It introduces how different parts of the brain work and fit together by looking at how people with damage to parts of their brain behave and experience the world. For example, if several people with temporal lobe epilepsy have feelings of religious enlightenment or feel that they understand the cosmos, this suggests that the temporal lobe plays a role in these feelings. What I want most to understand about the brain is the relation of the rational justification of a thought and belief in this thought. Thus I'm interested to know what systems in the brain are responsible for the feeling that you know something, independent of whether that thought is true.

In the last chapter Ramachandran argues that since an objective description of what it means for me to see red and my subjective experience of seeing red are in different languages (one the language of nerve impulses and the second spoken language), there will always be something lost in translation. Since the problem of describing qualia (the raw feel of sensations) is just an instance of the problem of translating between any languages, this makes the problem of experiences vs. scientific description seem less mystical.

There are some nifty tests Ramachandran presents for seeing how your mind fills in the gap of your blindspot. There are also some very cool tests he describes for experiencing a phantom nose (messing with your "proprioception"). In the notes he describes another illusion reported by Lackner, in which a subject feels that their nose has lengthened.
4742197
Oliver Sacks gives the reader a glimpse into the caverns of perception in this easy to read and understand exploration of the challenge to comprehend the sights and sounds which often befuddle the conscious mind. And he suggests that there is a level of reality worthy of attention and understanding. Hallucinations are not the sole province of the LSD tripper or alcoholic, we learn.

Jim Whiting
1609934
The best I've seen so far in my 10 year career period in the field of Neuroscience. This book cleary highlights or redacts the most representative theories in the field of consciousness and cognition. It has a spectacular table or figure about the most representative theories of consciousness and even more important how consciousness emerges.
The book describes very well the Neuroepistemological inception as an important necessity in science, as important as philosophy is to science. The whole tenor of the explanation offers a pragmatic resolution of basic and general questions or problems in the field of neuroscience.
The most relevant feature of this book is the theory of Neuroepistemology, it describes with scientific accuracy or precition what it would be the neuroepistemological approach to understand how the brain really works.
The most important neuroepistemological problem is to study the neural networks that structure or build the human self or ego, and confront them with the machines with artificial intelligence. Many scientist believe that machines have the potential to be conscious (Vrg. David Chalmers). Also, it has a very ironic depictive and funny phrase that relates to David Chalmers theory (Do you want to be my Zombie???).
The book accurately addresses the basic states of consciousness and the amplified states of consciousness (also incorrectly called "altered states of consciousness"). Moreover, the book goes one step beyond anything I've ever seen and analyse the existence of the so called "Time Neurons".

You'll really enjoy this book, I don't know who this guy (the author) is (He's not in pubmed), but I really want to chase him and meet him. I'm quite fascinated by his unorthodox approach to study neuroscience and everything, because everything relates to neuroscience, and neuroscience is related to all that is.
4255072
Professor Shanon leaves no stone unturned in his exploration of the Ayahuasca inebriation and the very powerful (in many cases life-altering) ideations so characteristic of this Amazonian brew.  Drawing from the reports of more than 200 informants, and nearly as many direct experiences, the author reaches into the particulars of Ayahuasca visions with the utmost concentration, mapping the unfolding stages of consciousness with great detail....a near daunting task considering the ineffable nature of these visualizations.  Each mode of consciousness examined is bolstered with the authors' very own direct observations, from the inside; the only way to speak with real authority.  Shanon exercises not only a genuine respect for empirical observation, but also the love of wisdom and the intuitive processes therein; virtues essential to any dedicated study of the Mind.
Ayahuasca occasions an experience that runs the gamut of human emotion and wonder, from the mastery of fear and the delicate state of vulnerability, to the empowerment of rebirth and the majesty of existence.... which by all accounts renders this study 'perhaps one of the most crucial pursuits of our time.'
251748
In this book, Wallis explores the inner workings of the brain, particularly how its perception of time interfaces with the true passage of time.  He does this by establishing a case for an internal "time function" which is composed of all the sensory and memory components of the brain and leads to our interpretation of reality.  Dr. Wallis also makes extensive use of comparisons between the brain and electronic/computer systems to help facilitate understanding of their function and the integration of the neurological components, and he also demonstrates how different `malfunctions' of the time function can help explain assorted neurotic and psychotic states.

The reason I rank this book so highly is because, even though I have very limited knowledge in neurobiology, the material is still accessible and insightful.
1800186
In The Field, the author takes the reader along on a quest to understand the metaphysics that underlie our perceived universe.  This book mainly reviews the data and theories of scientists exploring new paradigms in physics, consciousness, and subtle energy fields.  While the evidence in these areas is open to theoretical interpretation, the findings consistently disprove dominant materialistic and mechanistic notions about life and the universe.  The Field makes it evident that a deep analysis of scientific paradigms will lead those seeking a greater truth into the realm of metaphysics and consciousness, which have traditionally been the terrain of mystics, philosophers and spiritual seekers.  This book provides an excellent overview of the most important developments in the sciences that examine the most vital issues of existence.  This book is also great for challenging materialists and even some religious fanatics, as it documents contradictions to widely held beliefs.
3503593
This book operates with a great structure. It inspects 12 different aspects from memory to gender differences that owe their manifest behavior to the way the brain is wired. Each of 12 chapters first explains the structures in the brain that lead to a certain manifest behavior. Secondly, in the light of what we learn about the brain in first part of each chapter, we learn of the changes we may make to our own individual actions, our schools & our offices that essentially optimize our manifest behavior.

I felt that Medina is brutally honest in this book & concedes that understanding the brain is still an ongoing process. From whatever we do understand, I thought he was largely successful in simplifying a science for a layman though certain chapters, especially the ones on memory, got a little esoteric for my liking.

In the latter part of each chapter, the ideas he shares on how we can use our knowledge of the brain to change our actions, our schools, & our offices vary from radical, at times, to rather commonsensical, at others. In this continuum, however, most ideas are good & actionable. Not all ideas are new - it is the justifying link to the brain's structure that is new. For example, repeat to remember is hardly a new idea for committing information to long term memory but certain ideas on the use of smells are definitely novel.

Medina tries to keep it light but I felt that his attempts at humor were not always worth a chuckle.

I value this book because I learnt a lot. To remember a lot of what I think I learnt, I have to re-read it, as Medina suggests - that's something I'd be delighted to do regardless.

@souvikstweets
1575658
This book came along a week after a hike with a friend during which we discussed consciousness and how it occured, and its implications for a non-physical, spiritual existence. As a physician, my friend argued that consciousness was merely electrochemical. But what does that mean for physical theories like quantum mechanics, especially string theory that requires multiple universes? Then I hear Dr Tononi interviewed on NPR, thought he might have some answers in this book and ordered the it the next day.

Dr Tononi has made the journey from basic neuroscience to spiritual implications fascinating at many levels.
From the first chapter, you have the feeling that your experience transcends the written text; you are exposed to the material at many levels simultaneously. Consequently, the information is reinforced and learning enhanced.

The author revisits complex concepts several times, linking it to the subject of the chapter at hand, further enhancing learning of sometimes difficult concepts. Even the art used to complement the text is adapted to further explanation of the concept under discussion, sometimes to the point of modifying the art! You find yourself thinking at several levels at the end of every chapter.

This is a book that continues to provoke thinking about the material long after you've completed it. It neither supports nor undermines belief systems, but offers a recasting of what "eternal life" might mean. It refreshingly avoids specific conclusions that are beyond scientific observation, leaving any spiritual conclusions to be filtered through one's personal belief system. Dr Tononi does not prescribe, only informs from his experience and intellectual curiosity.

I am recommending this book to my friend and I can't wait for the next hiking discussion!
3466819
The why and how of human consciousness have been fascinating questions since antiquity. As yet, no solid scientifically supported answers have been found. Argumentations are often contentious as so many different concepts are potentially affected by objective explanatory data. In 2015, sponsored by the Swedish organization Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson Foundation, a conference took place in Sweden where some of the worlds leading philosophers and scientists offered presentations in regard to many aspects of consciousness. Written versions have been published in 2017 in the book The return of consciousness, A new science on old questions. Of the 19 articles 10 have been written by scientists and 9 by philosophers. They offer as yet still no solid answers to the basic questions but some interesting progress has been made. This book is recommended for reading to anybody with solid interest in the subject. For this reader perhaps the most interesting article was the last one in the book, Empirical tests of the integrated information theory of consciousness, describing experimental results that appear to indicate validity of this controversial theory developed by G. Tononi. The book is highly recommended to folks interested in the issue of consciousness.
4034221
There are few people working on the science of Mirror Neurons today: Antonio Damasio (author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Self-Comes-to-Mind-Constructing-the-Conscious-Brain/dp/0307378756/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain</a>,<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Feeling-of-What-Happens-Body-and-Emotion-in-the-Making-of-Consciousness/dp/0156010755/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Feeling of What Happens: Body and Emotion in the Making of Consciousness</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Descartes-Error-Emotion-Reason-and-the-Human-Brain/dp/014303622X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain</a>), Giacomo Rizzolatti (author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mirror-Neurons-and-the-Evolution-of-Brain-and-Language-Advances-in-Consciousness-Research-42/dp/1588112152/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mirror Neurons and the Evolution of Brain and Language (Advances in Consciousness Research, 42)</a>) and Vitorrio Gallese (author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mirrors-in-the-Brain-How-Our-Minds-Share-Actions-Emotions-and-Experience/dp/019921798X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mirrors in the Brain: How Our Minds Share Actions, Emotions, and Experience</a>) being some of the most prominent in the field. The work being done by these four men is widely cited throughout the field of psychology.

Iacoboni's book is useful for bringing the average reader up-to-speed on the research behind mirror neurons. My only complaint is that there is something off kilter about the writing style...I can't really articulate what it is other than to say that I felt as though I was frequently waiting for Iacoboni to get to the point. Perhaps it is because English is not his first language (I am not certain about this), but suffice it to say that I felt a certain kind of tension while reading this book. With that aside, I think this is a decent book and recommend it although I would recommend Damasio's newest book first - Self Comes to Mind.

As a last word, I really appreciate Iacoboni's last chapter the best; in this chapter he states this: "In my lectures on mirror neurons I often conclude by saying that our research should be called existential neuroscience. I say this because the themes raised by mirror neuron research map well onto themes recurrent in existential phenomenology." He later adds, "The existentialists have constantly reminded us that what is worth understanding and knowing is our existence, the human condition, and that engagement and involvement are superior to a detached stance. Mirror neurons are brain cells that seem specialized in understanding our existential condition and our involvement with others. They show that we are not alone, but are biologically wired and evolutionarily designed to be deeply interconnected with one another." It was in this last chapter that Iacoboni really did his best writing I believe.
3763933
if you are into the subject of consciousness, this is the book for you.  The author is well know in the field and has provided an understandable explanation of the latest developments in this field.
4224882
A collage of beautiful writings that require a unifying synthesis explaining the underlying reason for this shift in focus
4110142
The book "What Always Comes to Mind" with the subtitle "The visualist's guide to a metaspheric perspective on reality" is a highly original and unorthodox treaty on the workings of consciousness and the mind.

This book succeeds remarkably well in merging various usually unrelated fields such as art, science (physics and psychology), philosophy, language, semiotics and mysticism. Each page is provided with beautiful graphics and schemes, which at times can be more explanatory than the text itself.

In the introduction I was quite overwhelmed by a plethora of new terminologies and concepts I was unfamiliar with, but it paid off to give the actual book a chance.

In the first chapters James Guy introduces you to the concept of the "metaspheric perspective", which I will not explain here in order not to give away the essential building block of the book. Guy shows us a ubiquitous sevenfoldness in many manifestations of nature and mind, in which the fourth position establishes a turning point and a point of observation of the "I", which is actually a fleeting and artificial construct of mind itself.

This concept is of such a great importance, complexity and versatility that I will have to re-read the book a number of times, before I have created the necessary mental ontology to ground and understand this concept.

In the later chapters the book becomes a more personal account of James' journey through the psychedelic sixties, his encounters with people like Tim Leary and his initiation in the mystical experience where self is experienced as other and other as self.

Especially of value and very recognisable to me are James' accounts about the Noumenon and Kundalini. It seems to me that such full-body experiences of energy discharges -whatever they really may be- evoke the same vocabulary in different people from totally different backgrounds, which perhaps is a sign that the greater Logos speaks through us in such states linked to the experience of union.

This is certainly not an easy book and it may seem like hocus pocus to people who never have explored the inner dimension, but for those treading the path in search of enlightenment this book is an extremely valuable tool to map their experiences.