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Being You
Book

Being You

A New Science of Consciousness

Dutton, 2021 more...


Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Scientific
  • Insider's Take

Recommendation

Neuroscientist Anil Seth brings wide interdisciplinary knowledge to this exploration of the science of consciousness. Seth rejects the view that consciousness is beyond understanding, but rather than attempt to explain it directly, he explores the ingredients of consciousness in a bid to solve the mystery piece by piece. In the process, he sets out a radical view of human existence in which the mind and body intermingle, the perception of reality turns out to be hallucinatory and even humans’ sense of self exists only in the mind. Seth offers a challenging, insightful and lucid account of what it means to be conscious.

Take-Aways

  • Why consciousness exists remains a profound mystery.
  • Researchers will make progress in understanding consciousness by studying the physical brain and body.
  • By breaking consciousness down into its properties, scientists indirectly and gradually chip away at its mysteries.

About the Author

Anil Seth is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, where he also heads the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science.