Inside the theater of consciousness : the workspace of the mind

The study of conscious experience has seen remarkable strides in the last ten years, reflecting important technological breakthroughs and the enormous efforts of researchers in disciplines as varied as neuroscience, cognitive science, and philosophy. Although still embroiled in debate, scientists are now beginning to find common ground in their understanding of consciousness, which may pave the way for a unified explanation of how and why we experience and understand the world around us. Written by eminent psychologist Bernard J. Baars, In the Theater of Consciousness: The Workspace of the Mind brings us to the frontlines of this exciting discipline, offering the general reader a fascinating overview of how top scientists currently understand the processes underlying conscious experience. Combining psychology with brain science, Baars brilliantly brings his subject to life with a metaphor that has been used to understand consciousness since the time of Aristotle--the mind as theater. Here consciousness is seen as a "stage" on which our sensations, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings play to a vast, silent audience (the immensely complicated inner-workings of the brain's unconscious processes). Behind the scenes, silent context operators shape conscious experience; they include implicit expectations, self systems, and scene setters. Using this framework, Baars presents compelling evidence that human consciousness rides on top of biologically ancient mechanisms. In humans it manifests itself in inner speech, imagery, perception, and voluntary control of thought and action. Topics like hypnosis, absorbed states of mind, adaptation to trauma, and the human propensity to project expectations on uncertainty, all fit into the expanded theater metaphor. As Baars explores our present understanding of the mind, he takes us to the top laboratories around the world, where we witness some of the field's most exciting breakthroughs and discoveries. (For instance, Baars recounts one extraordinary sequence of experiments, in which state-of-the-art PET scans--reproduced here in full color--capture in fascinating, graphic detail how brain activity changes as people learn how to play the computer game Tetris.) And throughout the book, Baars has sprinkled numerous and often highly amusing on-the-spot demonstrations that illuminate the ideas under discussion. Understanding consciousness is perhaps the most difficult puzzle facing the sciences today. In the Theater of Consciousness offers an invaluable introduction to the field, brilliantly weaving together the various theories that have emerged as scientists continue their quest to uncover the profound mysteries of the mind--and of human nature itself. Combining Psychology With Brain Science, Baars Brilliantly Brings His Subject To Life With A Metaphor That Has Been Used To Understand Consciousness Since The Time Of Plato And Aristotlethe Mind As Theater. Here Consciousness Is Seen As A Stage On Which Our Sensations, Perceptions, Thoughts, And Feelings Play To A Vast, Silent Audience (the Immensely Complicated Inner-workings Of The Brain's Unconscious Processes). Behind The Scenes, Silent Context Operators Shape Conscious Experience; They Include Implicit Expectations, Self Systems, And Scene Setters. Using This Framework, Baars Presents Compelling Evidence That Human Consciousness Rides On Top Of Biologically Ancient Mechanisms. In Humans It Manifests Itself In Inner Speech, Imagery, Perception, And Voluntary Control Of Thought And Action. Topics Like Hypnosis, Absorbed States Of Mind, Adaptation To Trauma, And The Human Propensity To Project Expectations On Uncertainty, All Fit Into The Expanded Theater Metaphor. As Baars Explores Our Present Understanding Of The Mind, He Takes Us To The Top Laboratories Around The World, Where We Witness Some Of The Field's Most Exciting Breakthroughs And Discoveries. And Throughout The Book, Baars Has Sprinkled Numerous And Often Highly Amusing On-the-spot Demonstrations That Illuminate The Ideas Under Discussion. Prologue: The Metaphor -- 1. Treating Consciousness As A Variable -- 2. The Theater Stage Has Limited Capacity But Creates Vast Access -- 3. Onstage: Sensations, Images, And Ideas -- 4. The Spotlight: Attention, Absorption, And The Construction Of Reality -- 5. Behind The Scenes: The Contexts That Shape Our Experience -- 6. Volition: Conscious Control Of Action -- 7. The Director: Self As The Unifying Context Of Consciousness -- 8. What Is It Good For? The Functions Of Consciousness -- 9. Epilogue: A Tiny Bit Of Philosophy -- Appendix. Make Your Own Theory: A Summary Of The Evidence. Bernard J. Baars. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [183]-187) And Index. The study of conscious experience has seen remarkable strides in the last ten years, reflecting important technological breakthroughs and the enormous efforts of researchers in disciplines as varied as neuroscience, cognitive science, and philosophy. Although still embroiled in debate, scientists are now beginning to find common ground in their understanding of consciousness, which may pave the way for a unified explanation of how and why we experience and understand the world around us. Written by eminent psychologist Bernard J. Baars, Inside the Theater of Consciousness: The Workspace of the Mind brings us to the frontlines of this exciting discipline, offering the general reader a fascinating overview of how top scientists currently understand the processes underlying conscious experience. Combining psychology with brain science, Baars brilliantly brings his subject to life with a metaphor that has been used to understand consciousness since the time of Aristotle - the mind as theater. Here consciousness is seen as a 'stage' on which our sensations, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings play to a vast, silent audience (the immensely complicated inner-workings of the brain's uncons; implicit expectations, self systems, and scene setters. Using this framework, Baars presents compelling evidence that human consciousness rides on top of biologically ancient mechanisms. In humans it manifests itself in inner speech, imagery, perception, and voluntary control of thought and action.; Topics like hypnosis, absorbed states of mind, adaptation to trauma, and the human propensity to project expectations on uncertainty, all fit into the expanded theater metaphor.; As Baars explores our present understanding of the mind, he takes us to the top laboratories around the world, where we witness some of the field's most exciting breakthroughs and discoveries Contents......Page 14 Prologue: The Metaphor......Page 20 I: CARVING NATURE AT THE JOINTS......Page 26 1. Treating Consciousness as a Variable......Page 28 II: A UNIFIED IMAGE......Page 54 2. The Theater Stage Has Limited Capacity but Creates Vast Access......Page 56 3. Onstage: Sensations, Images, and Ideas......Page 79 4. The Spotlight: Attention, Absorption, and the Construction of Reality......Page 112 III: USING THE THEATER......Page 130 5. Behind the Scenes: The Contexts that Shape Our Experience......Page 132 6. Volition: Conscious Control of Action......Page 147 7. The Director: Self as the Unifying Context of Consciousness......Page 159 IV: CONCLUDING THOUGHTS......Page 172 8. What Is It Good For? The Functions of Consciousness......Page 174 9. Epilogue: A Tiny Bit of Philosophy......Page 182 Appendix: Make your Own Theory: A Summary of the Evidence......Page 186 Selected References......Page 200 B......Page 206 G......Page 207 O......Page 208 S......Page 209 W......Page 210 Written by eminent psychologist Bernard J. Baars, this book brings us to the frontlines of the consciousness debate, offering the general reader a fascinating overview of how top scientists currently understand the processes underlying conscious experience. The study of conscious experience has seen remarkable strides in the last ten years, reflecting important technological breakthroughs and the enormous efforts of researchers in disciplines as varied as neuroscience, cognitive science, and philosophy. Scientists are just now beginning to find common ground in their understanding of consciousness, which may pave the way for a unified explanation of how and why we experience and understand the world around us. This book offers an invaluable introduction to the field, brilliantly weaving together the various theories that have emerged as scientists continue their quest to uncover the profound mysteries of the mind--and of human nature itself. (For instance, Baars recounts one extraordinary sequence of experiments, in which state-of-the-art PET scans - reproduced here in full colour - capture in fascinating, graphic detail how brain activity changes as people learn how to play the computer game Tetris.) And throughout the book, Baars has sprinkled numerous and often highly amusing on-the-spot demonstrations that illuminate the ideas under discussion.; Understanding consciousness is perhaps the most difficult puzzle facing the sciences today. In the Theater of Consciousness offers an invaluable introduction to the field, brilliantly weaving together the various theories that have emerged as scientists continue their quest to uncover the profound mysteries of the mind - and of human nature itself Using entertaining examples of the mind in action, an eminent psychologist explores current scientific theories of the mind and shows how consciousness works like a stage in which thoughts and perceptions are examined by an inner audience. UP.