Introducing consciousness

What is consciousness? How does the brain generate consciousness and how can...

What is consciousness? How does the brain generate consciousness and how can a science of the mind describe and explain it adequately? This unit will introduce you to the slippery phenomenon that is consciousness, as well as some of the difficulties consciousness presents to science and philosophy.

By the end of this unit you should:

be able to discuss basic philosophical questions concerning the nature of consciousness;
have enhanced your ability to understand problems concerning the nature of consciousness and to discuss them in a philosophical way

By: The Open University

Duration: 20 hours
Published on: Thursday 23rd June 2011
Level: Advanced
Posted under: Philosophy

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Introducing consciousness

Introduction

Consciousness is at once the most important and most baffling aspect of the mind. It is the very heart of our existence yet it is extraordinarily difficult to describe and explain. This unit introduces consciousness, and the ‘hard problem’ it presents for a science of the mind.

This unit is an adapted extract from the Open University course Thought and experience: themes in the philosophy of mind (AA308). [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]

Next: Learning outcomes