The Crucible of Consciousness: A Personal Exploration of the Conscious Mind

by Zoltan Torey

First religion explained how the mind emerged, language developed, and overall consciousness came into being. Many of these explanations were challenged during the "age of reason," grand metaphysical theories gradually displaced many of the religious perceptions of the world, only to be displaced by scientific advances at the start of the century. Now, Zoltan Torey, an Australian psychologist, freelance science writer, and science journalist for ABC...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195508726
• ISBN13: 9780195508727
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Interesting

Torey seeks to explain our ability to be conscious that we are conscious, that is, self-consciousness (not consciousness of the self, or biological core consicousness). His theory depends largely on the claim that it is language that gives humans this ability. Accordingly, Torey advances theories both of the mechanisms that make self-consciousness arises as well as of how language arose in our species. Torey also discusses issues like free will, brain function, and at the last chapters speculates irresponsibly on quantum and cosmological relevance to human purpose. He remains somewhat skeptic, but the book was mostly testable hypothesis and good science until then.Language to torey arises out of brain adaptations, the formation of concepts and percepts, hemispheric asymetry and attentional ocillations, all concepts that he defines in a particular way in context of the rest of the book. Self-consciousness seems to Torey to arise from an interplay between reflective loops mediated by language in simple animal consciousess. All of this is quite straightforward, but Torey argues his points extremely carefully, so his theory seems to be solid. Future evidence will be needed to show if it will hold the test of time.The text was not as clear as it could heve been. Toreys writing is repetitive and confusing. There arent many references to other theories, some very relevant or related, on self-consciousness. Neither language nor self-consciousness are isolated subjects, and both have a large body of literature from where Torey could have gained support, insights, or clarifications. He seems instead to try to start from scratch using heavily some particular sources (which I would say are dated). One could also raise objections to the theories. Is language absolutely necessary for self-consciousness? what of deaf-mutes, then? Can self-consciousness be understood without first explaining simple biological consicousness first? How does the theory relate to higher order thought theories of consciousness (these propose a similar mechanism but for consciousness per se, not self-consciousness as defined by Torey)? What about the brain mechanisms involved? is someone without the left hemisphere not self-conscious? if language makes us self-conscious, does damage to language areas lead to un-self-consciousness? The answers that Torey is forced to by his theories would be quite controversial.

Insightful, engaging - a genuine contribution to knowledge

`The Crucible of Consciousness is intimately entwined with the fabric of my life. It is the expression of a heart-felt need to understand who we are and how we fit into the scheme of things, free of mystery and wishful thinking. It is the honouring of a personal commitment that was conceived in a critical moment of my life.' Zoltan ToreyIn this ambitious new book Zoltan Torey examines powerful universal questions that have long puzzled philosophers and scientists alike: what is consciousness? what does it mean to be self-knowing? what is free will and does it exist? where do we fit into the greater scheme of things? The Crucible of Consciousness is a remarkable first book in which Torey sets out to reveal the mystery and majesty of the conscious mind. Torey's personal quest led to an exploration of disciplines as diverse as neuroscience, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and evolutionary biology. This extraordinary book sits at the cutting edge of modern thought, and will be of immense interest to readers throughout the world.ABOUT THE AUTHORBorn in Hungary in 1929, Zoltan Torey's personal odyssey and triumph over physical adversity read like the stuff of fiction. At the age of nineteen he fled Cold War Hungary to settle in Australia. While studying dentistry in Sydney, he was severely injured during an industrial accident which resulted in permanent blindness. After graduating in psychology, Torey worked as a clinical psychologist and consultant to the Marriage Guidance Council of New South Wales for 25 years. During this time he resumed his studies with a view to furthering his philosophical and scientific interests. He broadcasts on scientific issues for the ABC on Ockham's Razor. REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS:`I know of none who have a mastery of neurophysiology, philosophy, and psychology. This Torey has and it is clearly evident in this brilliant manuscript.' Professor Charles Birch, Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney.`This is a seriously important book, densely argued but brilliantly persuasive.' James Ritchie Waikato Times 1/5/99`I think I have just read one of the great books of this century - no, of several centuries - comparable with Darwin's On the Origin of Species or Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Zoltan Torey seems to have solved the problem of self-consciousness which has exercised Western minds for the past 2000 years.' Peter Entwisle Otago Daily Times 26/5/99`a journey through a variety of academic disciplines... This serves to highlight his widely read background, drawing on linguistics, biology, philosophy, neuroscience and his own psychological insights... a strong academic style with highly educated language... stimulating reading.' Noel Elliot-Small Newcastle Morning Herald 24/4/99.`a speculative, insightful book that represents a genuine contribution to knowledge. There is a willingness to be imaginative which is balanced with a preparedness not to overstep the mark.'