Is there a theory that explains the essence of consciousness? Or is consciousness itself just an illusion? The 'last great mystery of science', consciousness is an area of cognitive psychology that was once viewed with extreme scepticism and was consequently avoided by the majority of mainstream scientific researchers. However, it has now become

Introduction, Section One: The problem, 1. What’s the problem? 2. What’s it like to be…? 3. The grand illusion, Section Two: The brain, 4. Neuroscience and the correlates of consciousness, 5. The theatre of the mind, 6. The unity of consciousness, Section Three: Body and world, 7. Attention, 8. Conscious and unconscious, 9. Agency and free will, Section Four: Evolution, 10. Evolution and animal minds, 11. The function of consciousness, 12. The evolution of machines, Section Five: Borderlands, 13. Altered states of consciousness, 14. Reality and imagination, 15. Dreaming and beyond, Section Six: Self and other, 16. Egos, bundles, and theories of self, 17. The view from within?, 18. Waking up

Competent, entertaining and accessible. It covers an enormous range of topics from machine consciousness to altered states and secular spirituality. This new edition is probably the best introduction to the exploding field of consciousness studies.Thomas Metzinger, Philosophisches Seminar, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, GermanyBlackmore and Troscianko’s book remains the best introduction to consciousness on the market. The sheer breadth of literature that is reviewed and evaluated will not only satisfy the most enquiring of academic minds, but also succeeds in delivering a great deal of academic content in an enjoyable, readable and accessible style for any interested reader. It provides a comprehensive introduction to so many relevant features of consciousness, making it the go-to book for anyone interested in the field. Blackmore and Troscianko have managed what might have seemed impossible: they’ve made a great book even greater.Guy Saunders, Senior Lecturer in Consciousness Studies, University of the West of England, UKRevised, updated, and supplemented with new perspectives, this third edition is a friendly and sure-footed guide through the dense forest of consciousness studies. Packing their text with activities, practice exercises, and quotations, the authors not only inform their readers about the science and philosophy of consciousness, but also teach them how to think about the topic for themselves. A superb introduction to a fascinating field. Keith Frankish, Honorary Reader in Philosophy, The University of Sheffield, UKWhat is consciousness, and how can it arise within the natural order? This remarkable book offers concise, colourful, and provocative windows into nearly every corner of this complex, multi-disciplinary debate. The result is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to one of the most conceptually puzzling and scientifically challenging questions of our time.Andy Clark FBA, FRSE, Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, University of Edinburgh, UKThe Third Edition of Consciousness is choc a bloc with ideas, data and literary references. I am enjoying reading it from cover to cover.Allan Hobson, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, USAFor anyone interested in plunging into the murky but entrancing depths of the psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience of consciousness, B&W’s book is the perfect place to start. Moreover, it is a stimulating and challenging resource for specialists in the field.Nick Chater, American Journal of Psychology