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The Evolution of Consciousness

Implications for Mental Health and Quality of Life

Bjørn Grinde (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

XV, 246 Seiten

2016 | 1st ed. 2016
Springer International Publishing (Verlag)
978-3-319-43683-8 (ISBN)

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This book gives the reader an understanding of what consciousness is about, and of how to make conscious experiences more pleasant. It expands on a new theory that describes the evolutionary trajectory leading to conscious life forms. In short, the evidence suggests that consciousness first evolved some 300 million years ago as a consequence of the introduction of feelings. Feelings offer a strategy for making behavioural decisions. Besides playing a crucial role in the evolution of the human mind, they are a key factor in regard to mental health and quality of life. Fortunately, the human brain is plastic. By exploiting available options for modulating the mind, it is therefore possible to impact on what sort of experiences the brain serves. More specifically, you can strengthen the capacity for positive feelings and reduce the sway of negative feelings. The text covers biological, neurological, psychological, and philosophical aspects of the mind.

Bjørn Grinde received his education in natural sciences, psychology, and anthropology from the University of Oslo; ending with a Dr.Scient. (1981) and a Dr.Philos. (1984) in biology. He is presently Chief Scientist at the Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Previously he has served as a scientist and professor at leading universities in Norway, the United States, and Japan. A primary focus of his research has been to understand the process of evolution, particularly how it has formed the human brain and our capacity to enjoy life. He has written several books, including Darwinian Happiness (The Darwin Press, 2002; 2nd Edition, 2012); God—A Scientific Update (The Darwin Press, 2011); and The Biology of Happiness (Springer Verlag, 2012). Together with Professor David Sloan Wilson at Binghamton University, NY, he is engaged in research aimed at practical ways to improve people’s quality of life.

Introduction.- Chapter 1. A Conscious Life.- Chapter 2. The Brain: Your Personal Necktop Computer.- Chapter 3. The Evolution of Nervous Systems.- Chapter 4. Conscious Brains.- Chapter 5. The Neurobiological Correlate.- Chapter 6. States and Disorders of Consciousness.- Chapter 7. Quality of Life.- Chapter 8. Environmental Concerns.- Chapter 9. Mental Exercise.- Chapter 10. In the Future.

Erscheinungsdatum	19.10.2016
Zusatzinfo	XV, 246 p. 70 illus.
Verlagsort	Cham
Sprache	englisch
Maße	155 x 235 mm
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Psychologie ► Humanistische Psychotherapien
Schlagworte	Awareness and the Capacity to Experience Life • Behavioral Science and Psychology • Biology and Mental Health • Conscious and Unconscious Processes • evolutionary biology • Evolutionary Process of Consciousness • Evolutionary Trajectory to Conscious Life Forms • Happiness and Understanding Consciousness • Improving the Impact it Has on our Quality of Life • Neurosciences • Philosophy of mind • Pleasure and Conscious Experiences • positive psychology • Properties of the Brain and Positive Feelings • Purpose of Ochestrating Behaviour • Quality of Life Research • States and Disorders of Consciousness • The Meaning of Quality of Life • Understanding Consciousness
ISBN-10	3-319-43683-X / 331943683X
ISBN-13	978-3-319-43683-8 / 9783319436838
Zustand	Neuware