Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Susan Blackmore

Such dualism is so deeply embedded in our language that we may happily refer to ‘my brain’ or ‘my body’; as though ‘I’ am separate from ‘them’.

How can a physical brain, made purely of material substances and nothing else, give rise to conscious experiences or ineffable qualia?

Research shows that most people have a traditional belief in free will and this correlates with having more gratitude, higher life satisfaction and meaning, and lower levels of stress.