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The Evolution of Consciousness

Implications for Mental Health and Quality of Life

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. Bjørn Grinde

    1. Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

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  • Presents a model and a strategy for improving the impact of consciousness on quality of life
  • Deals with the Holy Grail of biology: Understanding consciousness
  • Presents a novel approach that allows for practical applications
  • Links happiness to biology and mental health
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
    Download chapter PDF

  2. A Conscious Life

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 1-18

  3. The Brain—Your Personal Necktop Computer

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 19-42

  4. The Evolution of Nervous Systems

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 43-61

  5. Conscious Brains

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 63-104

  6. The Neurobiological Correlate

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 105-138

  7. States and Disorders of Consciousness

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 139-158

  8. Quality of Life

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 159-180

  9. Environmental Concerns

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 181-197

  10. Mental Exercise

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 199-232

  11. In the Future

    • Bjørn Grinde
    Pages 233-246
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Keywords

About this book

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.

Reviews

“When I started reading this book, the feeling I had experienced when only browsing was confirmed:  it is magnificent. The text is very well written, and contains not only complete and thorough information, but also very interesting ideas. A masterpiece of knowledge and thinking. It gave me so much pleasure, I read it twice. Congratulations! Your book is both magnificent and enlightening! Thanks for bringing it to all readers.” (Michel Cabanac de Lafregeyre, Professeur émérite, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Canada)

“The most characteristic feature of the book is its broad scope. It brings together brain research, evolution, philosophical considerations, and psychology. Moreover, the text discusses what we can do to enhance our conscious experiences and thereby improve quality of life. The author writes clearly, concisely and engagingly making the book readable and highly recommendable for both an academic and a general public.” (Dagfinn Føllesdal, C.I. Lewis Professor of philosophy at Stanford University, Professor Emeritus at University of Oslo, Norway)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

    Bjørn Grinde

About the author

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.

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