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EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: THE ORIGINS OF THE WAY WE THINK
This book does not describe the evolution of consciousness but rather the evolution of unconsciousness. It describes the work scientists have done in determining the limitations and inaccuracies in consciousness thought. This is useful in helping frame something as poorly defined as consciousness. However, mostly you can get this from your Psyc101 text. The worst is at the end where Ornstein introduces a sort of Sufi mysticism as a substitute for the reason he believes is so flawed. This is a poor substitute that falls apart at the first rational question, why should I believe this new system which has no evidence for it, as opposed to any other? You know the book is flawed when a single paragraph he quotes from William James "Varieties of the Religious Experience" has more insight than the rest of the book. Readers who are interested in what Ornstein is trying to commmunicate are better served by reading William James.
EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: THE ORIGINS OF THE WAY WE THINK
I bought this book in '93 and just read it now. There are useful discussions of the brain and the mind, their evolution. The language is at times hard to understand or resonate with, but I am impressed with the author's statements on the collective consciousness and urge for all of us to mine our consciousness for the collective survival of our species and common good. Unlike a previous review here, I feel hope and am awe of the author's foresight -we ARE capable of change for the better. While Dan Brown popularized noetic science, the author certainly contributed to this type of work/discussion almost 20 years ago!
EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: THE ORIGINS OF THE WAY WE THINK
I've had this outstanding book for some time, and keep re-reading it. Amazing what we miss with just one pass, and how much more we can absorb as we learn. Highly recommend this for anyone interested in how this all started. This one doesn't deteriorate with age.
EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: THE ORIGINS OF THE WAY WE THINK
I had to run to the mirror and look at theexpression on my face. I kept saying "This isunbelievable, I can't believe what I've been."By the end of the book I knew, I had neverreally laid my eyes on anything, seen anythingor known anything.However, I had become capable of seeingthrough my own mind. Magically, a reality grewbefore me that could never go away. Cranial firelit off. Fusion started taking place. Thoughtsare things with a life of their own and thisbook is alive. It is the spark that can createfrom pieces a whole healthy individual.After this book you will know why there is nocolor in nature. There is no sound in nature.In fact life is nothing but a dream, drempt bythe dreamer, the human being.
EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: THE ORIGINS OF THE WAY WE THINK
I read this book with great interest because research on counsiousness has still a long way to go. After reading books like Dennet, Counciousness Explained and Phantom Limb of Ramachadran I think this book is a little bit of an old fashioned repeat. Even when you keep in mind that above mentioned books are from the same date of publishing. I would recommend this book for younger with litte knowlidge on this subject.
EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: THE ORIGINS OF THE WAY WE THINK
Cool....is the word for this book. Its better that a Zen book, or even Taoism! Right to the heart of what really is and isn't. If you want to know the truuth about what is real and what is not.. get this book. I dare you!