Talking Meat

That’s the title of a snappy little satire by Terry Bisson, published back in 1991. Definitely worth a read. I came across the link in the discussion thread on this post by PZ Myers. The post and the discussion are also worth a read. The discussion is a real ding-dong between those who accept the growing evidence that the processes in the brain give rise to the mind and consciousness, and one individual who insists on continuing to believe in dualism. Oh, and light relief is also provided by someone who calls himself "The Physicist", but who seems to believe in some very odd ideas…

 

This whole subject of how the mind and consciousness comes about fascinates me. I’m gradually building up a small collection of books on the subject, ranging from the standpoint of the philosophy of mind (e. g. I Am A Strange Loop), through the standpoint of psychology (e. g. Stumbling On Happiness), and on to neuroscience (e. g. Phantoms In The Brain). It does seem to me that we are beginning to have solid theories, backed by empirical data, about the basis of the emergent property that is called consciousness.

 

I’m currently halfway through Daniel Gilbert’s Stumbling On Happiness. So far, it’s an absolute joy of a book. He writes really well, and with a fizzy sense of humour. The data he provides is thought-provoking, too. More when I’ve finished it.