Characteristics of Consciousness

In this video I describe 4 characteristics of human consciousness. These include unity, intentionality, selectivity, and transience. The selectivity of our consciousness and our ability to filter out perceptions which are deemed irrelevant can be demonstrated in the Cocktail Party … Read More

Types of Consciousness

In this video I describe a spectrum of consciousness, ranging from minimal consciousness up to full human consciousness. Along the way, recognition of the self may be an important marker for differentiating some animals. The ability to be self-conscious and … Read More

Problems of Consciousness

In this video I begin the unit on consciousness by considering a number of problems associated with understanding consciousness. These include the mind-body problem, the problem of other minds, and the hard problem of consciousness. While we don’t have solutions … Read More

States of Consciousness Resources

On this page you’ll find a number of resources for understanding states of consciousness, including consciousness and attention, the circadian rhythm and sleep cycles, drugs, hypnosis, and meditation. If I’ve missed a good resource, please share it in the comments … Read More

Hallucinations

I recently finished reading Oliver Sacks’ book Hallucinations. It’s a fascinating look at different types of hallucinatory experiences, from the visual scenes of Charles Bonnet Syndrome to hearing voices and feeling mystical religious ecstasy. In one chapter, Sacks also describes his … Read More