The Mind
A User's Manual
1st Edition
Published on 14. July 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
302 pages
978-0-470-02222-1 (ISBN)
Description
Our minds are subtle, beautiful and complex things. John Taylor explores how the mind works and shows us how to understand ourselves, how we can develop our minds to their full potential and how to keep them running smoothly.
'Based on his sustained scientific investigations, John Taylor takes us on a fascinating and erudite journey of what it is that our minds do for us. This is an important addition to the library of anyone who has pondered how the brain conjures up our every thinking moment'.
Igor Alexander, Professor in Neutral Systems Engineering, Imperial College, University of London
'The book is such a fascinating, daring, gentle and thoughtful work that when you finish it it's like losing a friend or a dear child leaving home. I can only try to convey some of the emotional enjoyment, coupled with a sense of discovery. I felt while reading it. John Taylor's mind really does reach out to so many people, young, middle-aged and old'.
Nicolas Roeg, Film Director
'Based on his sustained scientific investigations, John Taylor takes us on a fascinating and erudite journey of what it is that our minds do for us. This is an important addition to the library of anyone who has pondered how the brain conjures up our every thinking moment'.
Igor Alexander, Professor in Neutral Systems Engineering, Imperial College, University of London
'The book is such a fascinating, daring, gentle and thoughtful work that when you finish it it's like losing a friend or a dear child leaving home. I can only try to convey some of the emotional enjoyment, coupled with a sense of discovery. I felt while reading it. John Taylor's mind really does reach out to so many people, young, middle-aged and old'.
Nicolas Roeg, Film Director
Reviews / Votes
"...Written for those who are curious about their own minds, especially those interested in their own consciousness..." (Teesside Evening Gazette, September 2006) "... a philosophical and individual account of the mind, and that is where its interest lies." (Rapport, November 2006)More details
Person
Professor Taylor has been working on consciousness and the mind for many years and has investigated the paranormal, brain imaging, and neural network modeling of brain regions. He is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at King's College London and is on the Board of Governors of the International Neural Network Society.
Content
Introduction: Why a Mind-User's Manual?
PART I: BEWARE THE IDES OF MIND.
Chapter 1: What's in Your Mind?
Chapter 2. Defining Your Mind.
Chapter 3: A Guide to Mind-User's Manuals.
Chapter 4: Wrapped in Religion.
Chapter 5: Drugged to Death.
Chapter 6: Adrift in the Asylum.
Chapter 7: Fooled by Feelings.
Chapter 8: The Mind User's Manual Prerequisites.
PART II: CONSCIOUSNESS TAKES CONTROL.
Chapter 9: Consciousness to the Rescue.
Chapter 10: Paying Attention.
Chapter 11: Attention as Control.
Chapter 12: Speeding Up to Consciousness.
Chapter 13: Through Attention to Consciousness.
Chapter 14: Relations.
PART III: IMPLICATIONS.
Chapter 15: Distorted Consciousness.
Chapter 16: Damaged Consciousness.
Chapter 17: Distorting Consciousness.
Chapter 18: Does Free Will Exist?
PART IV: IMPROVING THE MIND.
Chapter 19: Implications for Society.
Chapter 20: Training Attention.
Chapter 21: Infants and Children.
Chapter 22: Inside the Minds of Animals.
Chapter 23: Building a Mechanical Mind.
Chapter 24: A Proper Mind-User's Manual.
Index.
PART I: BEWARE THE IDES OF MIND.
Chapter 1: What's in Your Mind?
Chapter 2. Defining Your Mind.
Chapter 3: A Guide to Mind-User's Manuals.
Chapter 4: Wrapped in Religion.
Chapter 5: Drugged to Death.
Chapter 6: Adrift in the Asylum.
Chapter 7: Fooled by Feelings.
Chapter 8: The Mind User's Manual Prerequisites.
PART II: CONSCIOUSNESS TAKES CONTROL.
Chapter 9: Consciousness to the Rescue.
Chapter 10: Paying Attention.
Chapter 11: Attention as Control.
Chapter 12: Speeding Up to Consciousness.
Chapter 13: Through Attention to Consciousness.
Chapter 14: Relations.
PART III: IMPLICATIONS.
Chapter 15: Distorted Consciousness.
Chapter 16: Damaged Consciousness.
Chapter 17: Distorting Consciousness.
Chapter 18: Does Free Will Exist?
PART IV: IMPROVING THE MIND.
Chapter 19: Implications for Society.
Chapter 20: Training Attention.
Chapter 21: Infants and Children.
Chapter 22: Inside the Minds of Animals.
Chapter 23: Building a Mechanical Mind.
Chapter 24: A Proper Mind-User's Manual.
Index.