How is consciousness possible? What biological purpose does it serve? Why do we value it so highly? In Soul Dust the psychologist Nicholas Humphrey, a leading figure in consciousness research, returns to the front-line with 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, making us feel special and transcendent.
Tightly argued, intellectually gripping and a joy to read, Soul Dust is a keenly anticipated book that provides answers to the deepest questions. It dovetails the ‘hard problem of consciousness’ with the matters that obsess us all – the fear of death, how life should be lived. Resting firmly on neuroscience and evolutionary theory, it is an uncompromising yet life-affirming work that never loses sight of the majesty and mystery of consciousness.
Tightly argued, intellectually gripping and a joy to read, Soul Dust is a keenly anticipated book that provides answers to the deepest questions. It dovetails the ‘hard problem of consciousness’ with the matters that obsess us all – the fear of death, how life should be lived. Resting firmly on neuroscience and evolutionary theory, it is an uncompromising yet life-affirming work that never loses sight of the majesty and mystery of consciousness.
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Reviews
'Soul Dust is nothing less than Humphrey's attempt to sketch out a materialist theory of consciousness, and write a "natural history" of the soul' Caspar Melville, New Humanist
'His writing is as elegant and hypnotic as that cool jazz stacked on the record player. His argument feels as crystalline and bracing as that double martini going down' Alison Gopnik, New York Times
'Humphrey has laid out a new agenda for consciousness research' Michael Proulx, Science
'A delightful and thought-provoking tour de force' Simon Blackburn
'It's exhilarating to see this crucial question about our existence answered with such intellectual breadth' Matt Ridley, Wall Street Journal