Soul dust : : the magic of consciousness / / Nicholas Humphrey.

• VerfasserIn: Humphrey, Nicholas,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, New Jersey : : Princeton University Press,, [2011]; 2011
• Year of Publication: 2011
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (256 pages) :; illustrations

"How is consciousness possible? What biological purpose does it serve? And why do we value it so highly? In Soul Dust, the psychologist Nicholas Humphrey, a leading figure in consciousness research, proposes a startling new theory. Consciousness, he argues, is nothing less than a magical-mystery show that we stage for ourselves inside our own heads. This self-made show lights up the world for us and makes us feel special and transcendent. Thus consciousness paves the way for spirituality, and allows us, as human beings, to reap the rewards, and anxieties, of living in what Humphrey calls the "soul niche." Tightly argued, intellectually gripping, and a joy to read, Soul Dust provides answers to the deepest questions. It shows how the problem of consciousness merges with questions that obsess us all--how life should be lived and the fear of death. Resting firmly on neuroscience and evolutionary theory, and drawing a wealth of insights from philosophy and literature ..."--Jacket.

Table of Contents

Coming-to explained -- Being "like something" -- Sentition -- Looping the loop -- So what? -- Being there -- The enchanted world -- So that is who I am! -- Being number one -- Entering the soul niche -- Dangerous territory -- Cheating death -- Envoi.