Theories of Consciousness ─ An Introduction and Assessment

Despite recent strides made in neuroscience and psychology that have deepened understanding of the brain, the existence and nature of consciousness remains one of the greatest philosophical and scientific puzzles. The second edition ofTheories of Consciousness: An Introduction and Assessment, provides a fresh and up to date introduction to a variety of approaches to consciousness and contributes to the current lively debate about the nature of consciousness and whether a scientific understanding of it is possible.

After addressing Descartes, the founder of the modern problem of consciousness, William Seager examines the most important theories of consciousness in turn:

• identity theories and the generation problem

• HOT Theory and reductionism about consciousness

• Daniel Dennett's theories of consciousness

• representational theories of consciousness

• conscious intentionality

• pansychism.

The second edition of Theories of Consciousness expands and revises its treatment of these topics and adds several new ones, including a new chapter on reflexive consciousness and a significant new section on emergence and consciousness.

Extensive use of case studies is made throughout the book, and additional features such as chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary make this an indispensable introduction to those teaching philosophy of mind and philosophy of psychology. It will also be an excellent resource for those in related fields such as cognitive science.

William Seager is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto at Scarborough, Canada.