Despite recent strides in neuroscience and psychology that have deepened understanding of the brain, consciousness remains one of the greatest philosophical and scientific puzzles. The second edition. There are theories of consciousness. provides a fresh and up-to-date introduction to a variety of approaches to consciousness, and contributes to the current lively debate about the nature of consciousness and whether a scientific understanding of it is possible.

William Seager explores key themes from Descartes, the founder of the modern problem of consciousness, after an initial overview of the status and prospects of physicalism in the face of the problem of consciousness. He looks at the most important theories of consciousness.

• identity theories and the generation problem

• higher-order thought theories of consciousness

• self-representational theories of consciousness

• Daniel Dennett’s theory of consciousness

• attention-based theories of consciousness

• representational theories of consciousness

• conscious intentionality

• panpsychism

• neutral monism.

Thoroughly revised and expanded throughout, this second edition includes new chapters on animal consciousness, reflexive consciousness, combinatorial forms of panpsychism and neutral monism, as well as a significant new chapter on physicalism, emergence and consciousness.

The book’s broad scope, depth of coverage and focus on key philosophical positions and arguments make it an indispensable text for those teaching or studying philosophy of mind and psychology. It’s an excellent resource for those working in cognitive science and neuroscience.