ABSTRACT

What is consciousness? What is life? What is the universe? This book explores these three interconnected questions, providing deep insights into the past, present and future of consciousness research.

Consciousness, Life and the Universe builds a unified view of consciousness across biological, chemical and physical scales, tracing the natural connections from the infinitesimally small to the infinitely big; from quantum fields and elementary particles to molecules, cells and living organisms to the cosmos; from the evolution of life to the evolution of the universe and to the future of humanity. The book provides a unified framework for future consciousness studies and identifies the scientific and technological approaches that are essential for further understanding consciousness. Through this pioneering research approach, the book clearly redefines consciousness and life and conceives a plausible view of the origin and nature of the universe.

This is a must-read for students and researchers in consciousness studies, cognitive psychology, cognitive science and neuroscience, as well as anyone interested in the biological and physical basis of consciousness and the history and evolution of consciousness research.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

The ultimate questions of consciousness, life and the universe

chapter 1|32 pages

A Tale of Millions of Years

The origin of consciousness research (from the Old Stone Age to the Middle Ages)

chapter 2|41 pages

A Five-Century Quest

Explaining consciousness (17th century–today)

chapter 3|102 pages

Toward the Ultimate Understanding of Consciousness

Tracing the deep roots in life and the universe

chapter 4|9 pages

Expand Consciousness

Toward the unknown