The Evolution of Consciousness : Implications for Mental Health and Quality of Life

This book gives the reader an understanding of what consciousness is about, and of how to make conscious experiences more pleasant. It expands on a new theory that describes the evolutionary trajectory leading to conscious life forms. In short, the evidence suggests that consciousness first evolved some 300 million years ago as a consequence of the introduction of feelings. Feelings offer a strategy for making behavioural decisions. Besides playing a crucial role in the evolution of the human mind, they are a key factor in regard to mental health and quality of life. Fortunately, the human brain is plastic. By exploiting available options for modulating the mind, it is therefore possible to impact on what sort of experiences the brain serves. More specifically, you can strengthen the capacity for positive feelings and reduce the sway of negative feelings. The text covers biological, neurological, psychological, and philosophical aspects of the mind. Introduction -- Chapter 1. A Conscious Life -- Chapter 2. The Brain: Your Personal Necktop Computer -- Chapter 3. The Evolution of Nervous Systems -- Chapter 4. Conscious Brains -- Chapter 5. The Neurobiological Correlate -- Chapter 6. States and Disorders of Consciousness -- Chapter 7. Quality of Life -- Chapter 8. Environmental Concerns -- Chapter 9. Mental Exercise -- Chapter 10. In the Future. by Bjørn Grinde. Acknowledgments 5 Contents 6 About the Author 9 Introduction 10 1 A Conscious Life 13 Abstract 13 Conscious and Unconscious Processes 15 Should We Aim for Reason or Happiness? 22 2 The Brain—Your Personal Necktop Computer 31 Abstract 31 The Anatomy of the Most Complex Object 31 Neuron Style Talking 35 The Concept of Brain Modules 41 Brain Versus Computer 48 3 The Evolution of Nervous Systems 55 Abstract 55 Why Nervous Systems? 56 Further Improvements 60 On Bees and Octopuses 65 What Is Intelligent Behaviour? 71 4 Conscious Brains 74 Abstract 74 A Common Currency 74 Hence Consciousness 79 When Did It All Start? 86 Signs of Consciousness in Animals 90 When Is It Needed? 98 Has It Been a Success? 101 How We Became What We Are 103 The Human Case 107 I Think, Therefore I Am? 111 5 The Neurobiological Correlate 116 Abstract 116 Cortex and Thalamus 117 Integrated Information 128 What We Can Do Without 130 We Learn When Something Goes Wrong 137 The Bigger the Better? 143 The Hardest Problem 145 6 States and Disorders of Consciousness 150 Abstract 150 Sleep 151 Anaesthesia 157 Life History 159 Maladies Affecting the Mind 162 Wilfully Altered States 167 7 Quality of Life 170 Abstract 170 Hedonia and Eudaimonia 170 The Mood Modules 173 On or Off 183 Mental Disorders 187 Darwinian Happiness 188 8 Environmental Concerns 192 Abstract 192 Childhood and Life Situation 193 The Damage Due to Discords 199 The Achilles Heel 204 9 Mental Exercise 209 Abstract 209 Use Your Head 209 The Psychological Challenge 214 Meditative Techniques 222 Technical Tools 227 Habits—For Good and Bad 233 A Model of the Mind 240 10 In the Future 243 Abstract 243 The Main Challenge 243 Next Generation Gym 248 A Final Word 255 Front Matter....Pages i-xv A Conscious Life....Pages 1-18 The Brain—Your Personal Necktop Computer....Pages 19-42 The Evolution of Nervous Systems....Pages 43-61 Conscious Brains....Pages 63-104 The Neurobiological Correlate....Pages 105-138 States and Disorders of Consciousness....Pages 139-158 Quality of Life....Pages 159-180 Environmental Concerns....Pages 181-197 Mental Exercise....Pages 199-232 In the Future....Pages 233-246