Oxford University Press Consciousness: Essays from a Higher-Order Perspective

Peter Carruthers's essays on consciousness and related issues have had a substantial impact on the field, and many of his best are now collected here in revised form. Together they develop, defend, and explore the implications of Carruthers's distinctive theory of experiential consciousness; they discuss the differences between conscious experiencing and conscious thinking; and, controversially, they consider what would follow, either for morality or for comparative psychology, if it should turn out that animals lack conscious experiences. This collection will be of great interest to anyone working in philosophy of mind or cognitive science. Review Consciousness sets forth one of the main contenders in the current theories of consciousness. ( Mind & Machines) [The essays in this collection] are carefully worked out, clearly written, subtle, formidably well informed, and rich in interesting arguments and speculations. Their philosophical interest is enhanced by the impressive system of defenses that Carruthers has evolved against objections to his often counter-intuitive views. ... it is clear that these radically revisionary essays make a very significant contribution to the philosophy of mind. ( Robert Kirk, Mind) This is a fine and important collection...this is a very important volume that is rich in interdisciplinary discussion and packed with thought provoking arguments. It is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy of mind and consciousness research. Even when one disagrees with Carruthers, there is much to learn from his writings. ( Rocco Gennaro, Psyche) The book is written in a clear and rigorous manner...it is worth reading for anyone who wishes to understand current philosophical debates on the nature of consciousness; in particular, to see Carruther's own theory laid out on the map of theories of consciousness. ( Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews)