Consciousness

Description:
This book presents a novel and comprehensive theory of consciousness. The initial chapter distinguishes six main forms of consciousness and sketches an account of each one. Later chapters focus on phenomenal consciousness, consciousness of, and introspective consciousness. In discussing phenomenal consciousness, Hill develops the representational theory of mind in new directions, arguing that all awareness involves representations, even awareness of qualitative states like pain. He then uses this view to undercut dualistic accounts of qualitative states. Other topics include visual awareness, visual appearances, emotional qualia, and meta-cognitive processing. This important work will interest a wide readership of students and scholars in philosophy of mind and cognitive science.

Review:
'This rich and sophisticated book offers the best representational theory of consciousness to date. It illuminates difficult philosophical concepts (e.g. qualia) and builds new bridges between philosophy and important empirical work. The book is essential reading for everyone interested in mind and consciousness.' Anil Gupta, University of Pittsburgh 'Consciousness is well-written, has lots of arguments in it, covers the right areas, has a distinctive position and perspective, and provides a plausible and comprehensive theory of conscious experience. It surveys a wide range of empirical results, but without losing the philosophical focus. I learned a great deal from reading it.' Joseph Levine, University of Massachusetts

Table of Contents:
1. Form of consciousness; 2. Theories of qualia; 3. Awareness, representation, and experience; 4. The refutation of dualism; 5. Visual awareness and visual qualia; 6. Ouch! The paradox of pain; 7. Internal weather: the metaphysics of emotional qualia; 8. Introspection and consciousness; 9. A summary, two supplements, and a look beyond.

Author Biography:
Christopher S. Hill is Professor in Philosophy at Brown University. His past publications include Sensations (Cambridge, 1991) and Thought and World (Cambridge, 2002).