Rating: 
Summary: Good step foward.
Review: Edelmans new theory of consciousness is, as I expected,impresive and quite apealing. Reentry is again in the spotlight, but this time in support of the Dynamic Core hypothesis. This hypothesis is a step foward from other less specific neuronal assembly theories of consciousness, and overall, I found it convincing. I did not give this book 5 stars because at the end of the book, Edelman moves frome concrete science to speculation, and because qualia as neural dimension space discriminations is far from being a convincing model for qualia. It is grounded on neurology though, and for that it is much better than many others. It also is able to diferenciate between conscious and unconscious proceses, among many other advantages. At the end, I believe the strongest aspect of the dynamic core is the way Edelman and Tononi use it to directly explain the phenomenology of consciousness. The introduction is also excellent, and the whole attempt is an adequately built bridge between the neurology and phenomenology of consciousness.
Rating:
Summary: The science of consciuosness?
Review: Fascinating book that approaches the analysis of consciusness from a scientific perspective. It is a rather difficult book to read, but if you persist, the last three chapters are exilarating. I recommend reading other books on this subject before tackling this new one. Damasio's latest book "The Feeling of What Happens" is a good preparation. It develops similar concepts that are useful to understand the brain as a complex system and consciousness as a process, as presented by Edelman and Tononi. After reading this book, I have been thinking about the glimpse of understanding I finally have of a problem that has been in the philosophical arena for so many years and now is entering the scientific investigation. This is a book that stimulates your intellectual craves, but....I was ready to stop reading after just a few chapters. The best part is the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Breaks new ground
Review: How does matter become imagination? How could consciousness arise as an emergent property of complex brains. This is by far the most exciting question one can ask ( at least in my opinion). It's a quest set by the unified collective brain in order to understand itself on lower hierarchial levels.
The authors do a marvelous job in overviewing the philosophical history and implications of such a question. It is extremely enlightening to read through the first few chapters and get a feel of how significant the question is and where the "knot is tangeled"
In the next few chapters, the authors present their hypotheses on this issue, with some real mathematical tools to test them. They also bring about some results that support their hypotheses. I found the concept of a "functional cluster" along with the statistical models that describe it extremely novel and creative.
Reading this book was a great experience for me. A source of insipration I would say. A few things I found a bit unsatisfying were:
1.Reentry as a solution for the binding problem-- I thought this was merely speculative in nature
2.Untangling the knot-- It hasn't been untangled! Actually the authors say it all throughout this book: Describing something does not give any clue on how it results in subjective, first person, experience
However, I still found it a great book. I would recommend reading it along with Dr. Crick's work
Rating:
Summary: Imagine a complex subject ...
Review: How does matter become imagination? That's the compelling subtitle of this work. The answer is not easy to follow but Gerald Edelman and Giulio Tononi make the effort worthwhile. I had to work to keep up with the subject. It felt like a difficult but positive workout.
The subject matter is dense. The authors have created a writing style which in no way dumbs down the subject for its audience - if the audience is someone like me, a knowledgeable lay-person. I appreciated the chapter prefaces and came back to them often as I made my way into the billions of possible mind states.
Edelman and Tononi put forward an in depth theory of the brain's machinations to achieve consciousness. With effort the reader will get a wonderful perspective on how the world out there becomes the inner world of imagination. I applaud the authors for their research and communication skills on such a difficult subject. I recommend this book to everyone interested in the subject of consciousness and who are willing to expend some gray matter to follow the discourse.
Rating:
Summary: A physicalist attempt to harness the elusive mind.
Review: Perhaps a great first step in the right direction, a functionalist view of the elusive mind. Being trained as scientists Edelman et al would tend to cast their consciousness model around the possibilities of an empirical demonstration in the lab. But if this plan becomes a straight-jacket then options for perhaps a metaphysical demonstration should remain open. This is the case here because this is not a theory of consciousness (considered as a second order judgment or metaconsciousness); it is instead a credible theory of awareness (considered as a first order judgment). In this case the authors apparently made use of measurements in the EEG and simulations laboratories and argued their complicated traces as to their origins from real or putative subjacent brain structures under varying experimental conditions. Then found the best functional model theory that fits the data. In our opinion the 'darwinian'model says more than the data suggests. It should have explained how three different mental stages may be coupled within the context of his "..re-entrant global mappings" to bring about the solution of the 'binding problem'that integrates imagery with qualia. It did not do that in a convincing way. For instance, there is a characteristic restful, synchronous slow-wave (delta) dreamless sleep that would correspond to Module 1 (visceral brain as pacemaker, no exteroceptive, language processsing or thalamo-cortical inputs), coma and anesthesia may give a similar pattern. Then there is the asynchrony of REM sleep (alpha waves resembling wakefullness) that incorporates a fragmented replay (memory) of previous multimodal parallel processings of the non-dominant hemisphere(Module 2). Notice that behaviorally, both coordinated motor (muscle tone)and language processing is disabled. Then comes the asynchronous waking pattern that has now, in addition, incorporated the serial processings of the 'talking' brain (Module 3) and thalamo-cortical reciprocal connectivity. Any theoretical elaboration of models of brain function has to be consistent with this empirical data. His nested network approach of integrated 'functional clusters', while excellent for a possible model of machine (robotic)awareness (sans qualia)fell short of a credible model of his "high order consciousness". One can argue that a claim for a comprehensive theory must consider other types of data (behavioral) suggesting that man is a social animal whose physical integrity is a preparation to both survive (viability) and guarantee the perpetuation of his species (mating & reproduction). Man has also historically demonstrated an active curiosity to explain his origins and his destiny. To achieve the personal and social ends his activities must be conservative (adaptive) and communicated (language controlled). The authors summarily dismiss the role of language in the enactment of consciousness while timidly accepting its involvement in higher orders of activity. The authors take for granted that the central autonomic network organization (visceral brain)is assembled sua sponte in the new born, no mention is made about the codified instructions for the network architecture has to be coded into the DNA. Neither is a strategy for the integration of the following functional clusters provided: Module 1, the visceral brain specializing in interoceptive monitoring,guarantees homeostatic control of vital biological survival variables by neural/humoral strategies. Module 2, the non-dominant brain specializing in exteroceptive monitoring alerts against environmental variables affecting biological survival and incorporates the multimodal manifestations of the 'un-labeled'world out there. Besides its biological survival value for the individual it is also important in mating and reproductive behavior of social value. Module 3, the 'talking' brain tries to make sense of it all by processing the serially coded bi-modular input to articulate efficient individual and social strategies for the individual survival and social adaptation, the emergence of the 'self' (planned by the executive brain in the frontal lobe.. The main problem with their view is that it presupposes an optimal equilibrium level between the 3 modules for maximal efficiency in the pursuit of those stated goals. Part of this problem is their implied succesful integration of 3 different ways of processing information, especially when neuro-histology and electroencephalography strongly suggest a 'creative chaos' in the structural/functional architecture for the brain! A nested network theory seems like a good candidate to encompass the activity of the 3 modules especially when one considers the application of the principles of statistical entropy to 'predict' the most likely neural pathway configuration that results in effective adaptive behavior. The first big problem resides in coupling the informational output code strategies of the conservative, relatively uncomplicated Module 1 (whose main assignment is to maintain the biological status quo to execute the genetic memory instructions it inherited) with the linear processing capabilities of Module 3. Ever since our publication in 1985 of Biopsychosociology (Limusa Ed.) we have been urging the incorporation of the DNA/RNA coding as integral part of any mind/brain model. Having ignored it is IMHO the biggest flaw in the otherwise attractive darwinian model of consciousness being marketed by nobelist Prof. Edelman from Rockefeller University. His bold substitution of the classical natural selection criteria of fitness (increased reproductive capacity) for an increased facilitation in synaptic transmission, all based on artificial intelligence simulation and statistical entropy determinations therefrom, leaves un-answered many vital questions. If he gives great importance to inherited homeostatic controls (which he does) in shaping up consciousness, how does his hyperdynamic darwinism and re-entrant schemes explain its inheritance, not to mention its subtle workings, especially during the first years of life where exteroceptive input is so limited. The neuronal networks of the visceral brain in the newborn were patterned by executing the instructions coded in the inherited DNA and it is not far-fetched to assume they still play a role in giving stability to Module 1, the other alternative would be to leave this module also subject to the management by his special natural selection, integration and re-entry, all predicated on an assumed background of complexity and 'creative chaos'. It just won't cut, at least for the visceral brain network cluster as evidenced by its synchronous EEG activity (low complexity) and the paucity of its neuronal presence at conscious cortical levels. We have to develop a formulation for the kind of processing the visceral brain does whose non-linear output format evades processing by the 'talking' brain maintaining its participation non-conscious, i.e., non articulable. The linearity of Modules 2,3 output is IMHO predicated upon the adoption of a binary code format for the "all or none" activity of neurons and this is reflected in the measurement of the statistical variability (entropy) in Edelman's 'functional clusters' aka networks. But the fact is that many visceral autonomic neurons have graded responses many a times controlled by humoral depolarizers where the threshold value for neuronal depolarization is shifting and changing in polarity. This kind of system will always escape a measurement of the possible pattern of activity the system can adopt at any moment because the number of bits of entropy/per unit does NOT correspond to log (base 2)of (2) as required for binary systems. To the extent that Module 1 is able to have linear outputs, to that same extent the information can be processed by the talking brain followed by consciousness of the event (qualias?). Nevertheless we highly recommend the book as the first serious attempt to bring together brain scientists and neurophilosophers.Humility is the most difficult of all virtues to achieve; nothing dies harder than the desire to think well of oneself." Shakespeare and the Stoicism of Seneca.
Rating:
Summary: Breaks new ground
Review: The title quotes A. Damasio from the front cover. In my view Gerald Edelman has the best theory of consciousness there is, by far. It is strongly grounded in biology, evolution, the nature of the brain and nervous system. Firstly, consciousness is not a thing, it's a process. Consciousness is private, unified, and informative. It is private because no two are alike and its workings are dependent on its own history. It is unified or integrated because it arises from a variety of sources, e.g. the different senses and a body which provides a built-in value system. The unified integration is the result of global, reciprocal mappings among diverse groups of neurons. It is informative and highly differentiated because of these various sources. Conscious awareness arises from a lot of unconscious processing, along the lines of information theory (a branch of mathematics) with importance to the organism driving what is selected. Edelman holds there are two levels of consciousness -- primary and higher-order. The primary level generates a mental scene with much diverse information for the purpose of directing present or near-term behaviour. It includes perceptual categorization, but no sense of self or use of language. Other animals have it, too. Higher-consciousness is built atop the primary level, includes a sense of self, awareness of a past and future, and language capability. It is supported by the evolutionary newer structures of the brain. It gets pretty technical at times. There is quite a bit about the brain and neural processes. Information theory is introduced. An earlier book, The Remembered Present, might be a better introduction to his work. In any case, A Universe of Consciousness is founded on his previous works, but adds a lot more. It is a mighty blend of a firm empirical ground and a highly integrated and coherent theory.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, intelligent work that aims a bit too high
Review: There is no doubt in my mind, after reading this book, that the authors have done excellent scientific work and made very interesting discoveries. On the other hand, it has certain problems. To start with, it seems clear that they do not have a full grasp of the philosophical problems they are attempting to resolve - or if they do, they avoid going into the stickier points. This is not necessarily a reason to condemn the book; there are huge volumes of philosophy on this subject, and it would be futile to try and fit a quick resolution into one small volume already full of other facts. Nonetheless, they probably should have avoided the philosophical aspect entirely if all they were going to do is attack the mind/body problem in a way that arguably does nothing but shift the terms around a bit to produce the appearance of a resolution. There is essentially nothing new here, philosophically, and they certainly had more than enough interesting material for a book without attempting this. A second thing that disappointed me is the lack of contrasting points of view. It seems unfair to ask an author to present a summary of theories which argue against his own, but in fact it's in the best interest of an author/scientist. What are the points of contention between theories, and what are the alternate explanations? This gives the author an ideal chance to explain why their theory is superior, what it has that the others lack... and in turn it gives the reader the chance to be convinced (or not) by the force of the argument, which is always more intellectually satisfying than being led by the nose. Stylistically, also, it could have used a bit of revision. Long, complex sentences are fine (great, even) for something like Proust. When you populate those sentences - even if they're perfect grammatically - with large and generally unfamiliar scientific terms, it can be quite awkward. This happened just frequently enough to be a nuisance, as far as I was concerned. So, apart from these criticisms, the subject material is still interesting. I would be inclined, however, to look for a more recent title by these authors (or others) on the subject. A lot can be discovered in a few years, and hopefully the experience they gained in writing this book will help them produce a work with a bit more polish.
Rating:
Summary: A universe we all need to understand
Review: This book has a broad appeal not only to those interested in neuroscience but also to those interested in philosophy, history, and art. I would recommend it to anyone. The "readability" of the book really depends on the reader's familiarity with evolution and philosophy. Most of the science is basic and well-explained; little more than an understanding of a cell is assumed.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely interesting data, dubious conclusions
Review: This book is worthwhile mostly for the wealth of experimental data provided. Unfortunately, I think the authors often jump to conclusions that their evidence neither precludes nor proves. The most pervasive example of faulty logic is the central theme of the book. The authors provide evidence that consciousness is *associated* with vast, interconnected regions of the brain. When a person is aware of a stimulus, more neural areas are active than when he/she is not. From this, they conclude that consciousness *arises* from diverse neural areas in the brain. This is the key fault of the book--the authors do not differentiate between *association* and *origin*. Perhaps conscious activity that occurs in a small area of the brain promotes extracurricular activities elsewhere. Just because two events occur simultaneously does not mean one caused the other! The authors describe their work as a "theory of consciousness"--completely misleading in another sense. Even if we were able to precisely understand what neural processes lead to consciousness, which neurons were involved, etc., the consciousness mystery still would not be solved. The most fascinating and mysterious question is "HOW do the neural processes lead to consciousness?" Uncovering the neural processes associated with consciousness is a great way to begin, perhaps the only way. However, to call the authors' work a "theory of consciousness" is absurd. Imagine a 18th century person able to view the modern automobile through timetravel. Suppose here were able to deduce that turning a key started the automobile, pushing the right pedal made it accelerate, etc. before he was forced to return to his time. Would his knowledge be a "theory of the automobile"? Only in an extremely superficial sense. He would know how the automobile worked, but would have no idea as to the physical mechanisms (e.g. electromagnetism) at play. I DO recommend this book but I strongly suggest that you pay close attention to the *data* and consider it yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Dawn of a new era
Review: This book marks the end of many thousand years of theological, philosophical, and psychological speculations about man's soul. In three previous books Edelman has laid the foundation of his own theory of the human mind. Now, together with his colleague at the Neurosciences Institute in California, Giulio Tononi, he offers a neat and very readable survey of his ideas. Edelman has laid the foundation of a scientific, biological approach to the study of consciousness, the mind. And we might add, the soul. What used to be looked upon as a complete mystery is now becoming amenable to purely scientific inquiry. In other words, the mental can, at long last, be be treated in biological, concretely material and quantitative terms. The authors' presentation of their complex subject is admirably clear. Each of the six main parts is introduced by an overview which places it in a wider perspective. Also, each of the seventeen fairly short chapters is introduced by a brief summary. The reader can thus start by getting a broad idea of what the authors are aiming at, and is placed in a position to read the individual chapters with full attention to the often intricate details. Edelman's first lauched his basic ideas in his1987 book Neural Darwinism, where he applied Darwin's revolutionary theory of Natural Selection, not only to the formation and evolution of species, but also to the individual cells in the brain. The development of the brain cells are of course under general genetic control. The genes themselves, naturally, have developed as a result of the natural selection of the organism which has carried them through thousands or millions of generations. Darwin's Natural selection replaced former mentalistic or theological ideas, involving a purposeful Mind, by a thoroughly scientific explanation in terms of a random variation subjected to selection by means of the survival and continued reproduction of those best fitted to the environment in which the organism happened to live. Neural Darwinism extends this idea to the population of billions of neurons, and their billions of billions of connections with other cells. The brain adapts to the kinds of operations it sets going And just as Darwin's theory dispensed with the philosophically unacceptable idea of a Purposeful Mind giving rise to the successive evolutionary variations of species, Edelman's idea dispenses with the equally unacceptable idea of a kind of General Director inside the brain. The British philosopher Gilbert Ryle, in 1947, somewhat flippantly named this entity "The Ghost in the Machine". Behaviorist psychologists, realizing that the Ghost could not be observed, decided to use only objectively observable behavior in order to find out the secrets of what they, in turn, called "The Black Box". Without much success. Edelman goes much further than just outlining his theory. He and Tononi subject it to experimental tests. First, they utilise recent techniques for registering in detail the spatial and temporal distribution of neural activity as it executes various tasks, both conscious and unconscious. At the same time, they stress that the brain is n o t like a computer. Its connections are chemical, and are modified by chemical (hormonal and other) impulses. Further, memories are not located in individual cells, or even groups of cells. Instead, they consist of processes in groups of interconnected neurons. It is of course not only the sheer number of possible interconnections between the neurons of the brain, but also its structure, that makes the brain so unique: n o two brains, even of identical twins, are exactly alike. In regard to consciousness, the authors especially stress the phenomenon of "re-entry", implying that the interconnections between areas of the brain are typically reciprocal, so that they can be effectively correlated. Consciousness occurs when a sufficient number of re-entrant connections are active, engaging different parts of the brain for a sufficient period of time. This book marks the dawn of a new era in the study of the mind.
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