Focus - Book of the Month
- September 2003
Consciousness: An Introduction
Susan Blackmore (Hodder & Stoughton £14.99)
We may think that the way we think is obvious and
doesn’t need thinking about. But in fact we know less about
how we think than we’d like to think we do. In this colourful
and enjoyable book, psychologist Susan Blackmore tackles the basics of
consciousness head-on. But unlike other science books which talk
at you in the vain hope that you’ll read and remember some of the
ideas, Blackmore’s title concentrates on the theory and practice of
consciousness by asking you to do some thinking yourself.
Because we know so distressingly little about our minds, there are no
absolute definitive answers here. Instead Blackmore makes a
point of asking all the most important questions, and mentioning all
the most important people in the mind-expanding field of consciousness
studies. And she does it with style and flair. Her
trademark terrier-like scepticism has been reined in, and the book is
much less of a partisan materialist polemic than seasoned
Blackmore-watchers might have expected. It’s also a success
visually, with eye-catching illustrations and designs, and slightly
lateral cartoons.
The content ranges far and wide over every part of the subject, from
the basics of perception to the confusing problem of whether or not we
experience anything at all. And what the word ‘experience’
really means. The Hard Problem, as it’s known among
consciousness philosophers and researchers in artificial intelligence,
is about trying to decide whether our experience is real at all, or
whether the sense of self that makes us aware of our place in the
Universe is actually just a convenient illusion.
Blackmore could have turned these musings into a long and turgid
trudge through the current swamp-like state of non-understanding that
the subject is lost in. Instead she invites you as the reader to
join in the speculations by taking part in various illustrative
activities. These provide far more insight than words and
references ever could on their own. There are also some
interesting and not entirely expected digressions into the nature of
religious and mystical experience.
There’s really very little to criticise here. This book can be
read by anyone at any level of interest, from the most casual browser
to the full-time psychology professional. The fact that it’s
hands-on - or rather, brain-on - makes it a rare treat for people who
like to think about things and ask questions. And there are
enough references to keep the intrigued amused for years. If
Blackmore hasn’t been able to provide any ultimate explanations,
it’s because none are available yet. That minor frustration
aside, this is a good example of how science books should be written.
***** Richard Wentk
First
published in Focus Magazine, September 2003, p 92
reproduced with permission.
