M. McElwee

Highly entertaining and stimulating romp

Revisado: 08-11-22

In a series of entertaining lectures, Professor Grim takes us on an elucidating tour through the central problems of the philosophy of mind, ultimately arriving at the current functionalist consensus, but not without a significant degree of healthy unease.

Among the unsettled frontiers of science and science-affiliated philosophy, consciousness stands out for its insistent accessibility to all of us. The questions of what this *thing* is that we seem to be, how it (we?) relates to the world, where it comes from, and what it is for have been central to human thought as far back as it was recorded, whether conceived as souls, djinni, or minds. They are intimate and difficult questions.

Grim opens with the foundational skepticism of Descartes, whose effort to erect a secure philosophy from first principles founders immediately on the difficulty of establishing even that \*I\* exist: for Descartes, because \*I\* think even if all my thoughts are wrong, twisted by some elaborate deception or insanity.

As he spins the story from Descarte’s mind-body dualism toward today’s thoroughgoing materialism, Grim continually delights the listener. Sprinkling the lectures with fascinating thought experiments, real experiments, and illusions, Grim turns the story over and over, giving each delightful character or thinker their full due before raising often-devastating critiques.

Science has amazed us in the last 150 years. We suddenly understand dramatic and surprising facts about phenomena so far from us, in time, space, and scale. And yet, how our brains, bodies, and the world give rise to consciousness remains a deep mystery. Today, we can’t even really say what such an explanation could consist of.

Thinkers of all stripes would do well to dwell on the deep question of consciousness, on the excitement that we could be on the cusp of a deeper understanding of it. For those new to the topic, this lecture series is an excellent introduction.

For those already familiar, Grim manages to draw a compelling and clear line through a complex discussion that may present the familiar in a fresh way. Who knows, perhaps this fresh perspective will provoke in some listener - in you! - the conceptual break-through we are all hoping for.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

WOW

Revisado: 06-10-20

This is such a good book! I reccumend this book for tweens. hope you like it!!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

AMAZING BOOK

Revisado: 06-08-20

I 100% recommend you read this book It is amazing in EVERY WAY! definitaly read this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

so good!

Revisado: 11-15-18

I can't believe it's the last book!!!!!!!! I wish there were more books there soo good I definitely recommend it!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

sooooooo cool!

Revisado: 11-04-18

so so so so So so so so so so so so so so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very yes hi goodbye

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

awesome!!!!!!!!

Revisado: 10-31-18

this book is so so sooooooo soooooooooooo soo very super super super super awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Awesome!

Revisado: 05-19-18

Wow! You have to listen to this! It is so cool!!!! and AWESOME i love it

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña