"How is consciousness possible? What biological purpose does it serve? And why do we value it so highly? In Soul Dust, the psychologist Nicholas Humphrey, a leading figure in consciousness research, proposes a startling new theory. Consciousness, he argues, is nothing less than a magical-mystery show that we stage for ourselves inside our own heads. This self-made show lights up the world for us and makes us feel special and transcendent. Thus consciousness...

"Consciousness matters. Arguably it matters more than anything. The purpose of this book is to build toward an explanation of just what the matter is." "Nicholas Humphrey begins this exploration of the biggest of big questions with a challenge to the reader, and himself. What's involved in "seeing red"? What is it like for us to see someone else seeing something red?" "Seeing a red screen tells us a fact about something in the world. But it also creates...