Description
This original and innovative book is an exploration of one of the key mysteries of the mind, the question of consciousness. Conducted through a one month course of both practical and entertaining 'thought experiments', these stimulating mind-games are used as a vehicle for investigating the complexities of the way the mind works.
- By turns, fun, eye-opening and intriguing approach to thinking about thinking, which contains inventive and engaging 'thought experiments' for the general reader
- Includes specially drawn illustrations by the French avant-garde artist, Judit
- Reunites the social science disciplines of psychology, sociology and political theory with the traditional concerns of philosophy
About the Author
Martin Cohen is editor of the Philosopher, and one of today's best known authors specializing in popular books in philosophy, social science and politics. He has taught philosophy and social science at a number of universities in the UK and Australia. His unusual approach to the subject stems from his role in a key project at the University of Leeds in the 1980s to change the way Philosophy was traditionally taught in the UK, towards viewing it as an activity. His most recent books include Wittgenstein's Beetle and Other Classic Thought Experiments (Blackwell, 2004), No Holiday: 80 Places You Don't Want to Visit (Disinformation Travel Guides) (2006), Philosophical Tales (Blackwell, 2008), and the UK edition of Philosophy for Dummies (2010).
Reviews
"A great book and well worth the self-indulgence, one day at a time." (Metapsychology, 27 December 2011)
"I would recommend its purchase for the general reader who is already interested in thinking, philosophy and is willing to invest time and thought into getting the most out of the book. For the more academic professional it may seem too light hearted." (Encephalitis Society, 1 April 2011)
"The upshot is that readers of this book who already have a philosophical bent will enjoy engaging with it at a discursive level while the more general reader will gain a deeper sense of the diversity and quirkiness, the subtleties and complexities, of that infinite inner world which is the mind." (Suite101.com, November 2010)
"Cohen is an author who specialises in popular books on philosophy, social science and politics and, essentially, this new one is an introduction to thinking about thinking. It blends psychological and social studies with philosophical theory for the first time, eschewing technical jargon and using easily understood scenarios to demonstrate the theme." (www.mysteriousplanet.net, November 2010)
"This book is very much in that vein of bringing philosophy to the masses and encouraging people to think." (The Bookbag, November 2010)
"Readers of this book who already have a philosophical bent will enjoy engaging with it at a discursive level while the more general reader will gain a deeper sense of the diversity and quirkiness, the subtleties and complexities, of that infinite inner world which is the mind." (www.suite101.com, November 2010)
Book Information
ISBN 9781444337099
Author Martin Cohen
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 259g
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 153mm * 14mm