Consciousness by Susan Blackmore is the culmination of a lifetime of research on the psychological and theoretical aspects of consciousness. In this book, Susan Blackmore examines the philosophical questions of consciousness, the emergence of self-awareness, and the implications of our current scientific understanding of consciousness. She seeks to explore the various ways in which consciousness is understood, and to evaluate the various theories that have been proposed to explain this phenomenon.
Blackmore begins by introducing the reader to the concept of consciousness. She begins by discussing how consciousness has traditionally been understood, both within the scientific and philosophical traditions. She then moves on to discussing the various theories that have been proposed to explain the phenomenon of consciousness, including those of William James, Edelman, and Damasio. Blackmore emphasizes the need for an “ecumenical approach”, examining the potential strengths and weaknesses of each of these theories.
Blackmore then moves on to examining the emergence of self-awareness and its implications for our understanding of consciousness. Blackmore questions whether this emergence is the result of a self-organizing process, or if it is a product of cultural evolution. She argues that there is evidence for both views, and that it is still unclear which one is correct. She discusses the nature of the self and its implications for understanding consciousness, and provides an overview of the concept of the ‘global workspace’, which proposes that conscious processes involve both conscious and non-conscious elements.
Blackmore also looks at the implications of conscious and non-conscious processes on decision-making, and how our understanding of these processes can affect daily life and social behaviour. In addition, she looks at the relationship between causality and consciousness and examines how our current understanding of consciousness can inform our understanding of the nature of God. this section of the book provides an insightful and thought-provoking analysis of the implications of our current understanding of consciousness.
Finally, Blackmore examines the implications of our current scientific understanding of consciousness for morality, ethics, and responsibility. She argues that consciousness, in combination with free will, can create a foundation for moral behaviour and decision-making. She also reflects on the implications of conscious communication and its effects on accountability, and the relationship between consciousness and technology.
Overall, Consciousness by Susan Blackmore is a well written and thought-provoking book. It provides a comprehensive look at the philosophical, psychological, and scientific aspects of consciousness, as well as an evaluation of the various theories that have been proposed to explain it. By exploring the implications of our current understanding of consciousness, Blackmore provides an insightful and valuable contribution to the field of consciousness studies.
