How Could Conscious Experiences Affect Brains?

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In daily life we take it for granted that our minds have conscious control of our actions, at least for most of the time. But many scientists and philosophers deny that this is really the case, because there is no generally accepted theory of how the mind interacts with the body. Max Velmans presents a non-reductive solution to the problem, in which 'conscious mental control' includes ‘voluntary’ operations of the preconscious mind. On this account, biological determinism is compatible with experienced free will. Velmans’ theory is put to the test by nine critics: Ron Chrisley, Todd Feinberg, Jeffrey Gray, John Kihlstrom, Sam Rakover, Ramakrishna Rao, Aaron Sloman, Steve Torrance and Robert Van Gulick.
Source: Human Nature Review

"This is a thorough book well worth close reading. Highly recommended."

Source: Times Higher Education Supplement

Credit: Susan Blackmore

"The volume is full of interesting arguments and provides a manageable and at times amusing introduction to a classic argument."

Source: Network

"Reflects the state of the art in consciousness studies."

Source: Metapsychology

"What Velmans establishes with his argument is that the old mind-body problem is not a problem - the distinction is merely one of perspective."
Paperback
- Publication Date: 18 December 2002
- ISBN-13: 9780907845393
- Extent: Main content page count : 96
- Code: 907845398
- Dimensions: 17.8 x 26 x 0.8 cm
- Weight: 350 grams
- List Price: £9.50
- ONIX Version 2.1, Version 3