Consciousness and the Brain: Deciphering How the Brain Codes Our Thoughts

Probing the links between conscious thought and the intricate networks and neurons that comprise our brains, cognitive psychologist Dehaene (Reading in the Brain) tackles questions of mind-body duality and the relationships between mental activity and the material world that have attracted and perplexed great scientific minds for centuries. Consciousness is only the tip of the neurological iceberg, in terms of the information our brains receive from sensory stimuli, and Dehaene’s innovative MRI research has identified a series of thresholds whereby information moves from a state of “preconscious” to “conscious” processing. With such emphasis on imaging and research examples, the discussion is more geared toward a scientifically minded population, though that is not to say that this is a completely esoteric read. Dehaene’s knack for explaining complex terms in interesting, understandable phrases is bolstered by accompanying images that enhance the basic comprehension of the material. And the study—which shows that consciousness can, despite its complexities, be in some ways identified and analyzed—has implications that extend beyond science, about people and animals alike. In all respects, this book will bring the brain’s marvelous mechanisms into clearer focus. (Feb.)