The Quest To Understand Consciousness

Antonio Damasio presents a TED Talk on the quest to understand consciousness.

A Brief Tour Of Consciousness

V.S. Ramachandran, the noted neuroscientist, presents a 2-hour tour of consciousness on The Science Network website.  This was recorded in 2006.  With the rapid changes in knowledge within science, this blogger believes that some of the information presented may be outdated.  However, this video gives an excellent introduction to a very complicated subject.  As a bonus, Ramachandran also discusses many other interesting subjects like the history of science, what makes a good scientist and free will.

Consciousness, Emotion And Decision-Making

Dr. Antonio Damasio is interviewed by the LA Times regarding his new book Self Comes To Mind. It is a fairly brief piece, but presents an overview of the latest research into a fascinating field of study. Such research shows that much of our decision-making process is based on unconscious emotions and not conscious activity of the cerebral cortex. So much for free will.

Consciousness Like A Baseball Game

TGBaker on the Debunking Christianity blog has posted on consciousness and an analogy with the game of baseball. This blogger has posted several times on the concept of consciousness. This is just one more way of looking at it. Interesting, but complicated stuff. Perhaps this is one of the last frontiers of science.

Free Will, Retribution And Other Moral Concepts

Sam Harris has posted on his blog a deep, detailed, lengthy and important piece on the concept of free will and the effects of an understanding that it is an illusion. This blogger recommends not only reading it, but re-reading to allow all of Harris' ideas to sink in. If you disagree with Harris, this blogger would very much like to be educated as to where he is wrong. This field of study is so interesting but humbling to an individual struggling for understanding of the mind.

This will at least stimulate a raising of your awareness on these subjects. Enjoy.

The Brain And A Computer

Chris Chatham has posted an interesting piece on 10 differences between the brain and a computer.

Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction

Austin Cline has posted a book review of Susan Blackmore's Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction.

Consciousness Evolved?

Many deniers of evolution claim that human awareness/consciousness is unique and too complicated to have evolved. See here for a typical example.

However, Austin Cline in his blog clarifies the scientific evidence.

Moderate Religion

Many of the beliefs held by religious moderates -- smart people who respect science and the separation of church and state -- are as untenable as the dogma of fundamentalists.

Greta Christina on alternet.org writes about 3 Silly Religious Beliefs Held By Non-Silly People .

Mind-Body Dualism