The undeniable fact is that brains provide the material means by which conscious life is sustained. Without brains there can be no human consciousness. But it does not follow from this that we can explain all human behavior in neurological terms alone and that conscious thoughts contribute nothing to our actions. That is a much stronger claim, which goes against the evidence of experience.
ReadGUARDIAN BOOKS PODCAST. Talking about Freedom Regained in a programme that also includes Joanna Biggs. Listen/download here.
ReadHOW THE LIGHT GETS IN – HAY-ON-WYE, 26/27 MAY. Taking part in several events at this philosophy festival…
ReadHOW TO DEVELOP YOUR IDEA FOR A ‘SMART THINKING’ BOOK – LONDON, 13 JUNE. This course will help attendees who already have an idea for a ‘smart thinking’ book to develop it and pitch it to publishers. Before the course, you’ll submit an outline of your project and some sample writing, with feedback provided on the day.
ReadOn Thursday the nation decides. Each one of us will be free to choose how or whether to vote. But if you’ve been paying any attention at all to the findings of modern psychology, you might doubt whether your vote is truly free at all. There is a mass of compelling evidence that all our choices, including our electoral ones, are strongly affected by myriad unconscious and often irrational factors…
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