The Crucible of Consciousness: An Integrated Theory of Mind and Brain

By Zoltan Torey

An interdisciplinary examination of the evolutionary breakthroughs that rendered the brain accessible to itself.

In The Crucible of Consciousness, Zoltan Torey offers a theory of the mind and its central role in evolution. He traces the evolutionary breakthrough that rendered the brain accessible to itself and shows how the mind-boosted brain works. He identifies what it is that separates the human's self-reflective consciousness from mere animal awareness, and he maps its neural and linguistic underpinnings. And he argues, controversially, that the neural technicalities of reflective awareness can be neither algorithmic nor spiritual--neither a computer nor a ghost in the machine.

The human mind is unique; it is not only the epicenter of our knowledge but also the outer limit of our intellectual reach. Not to solve the riddle of the self-aware mind, writes Torey, goes against the evolutionary thrust that created it. Torey proposes a model that brings into a single focus all the elements that make up the puzzle: how the brain works, its functional components and their interactions; how language evolved and how syntax evolved out of the semantic substrate by way of neural transactions; and why the mind-endowed brain deceives itself with entelechy-type impressions.

Torey first traces the language-linked emergence of the mind, the subsystem of the brain that enables it to be aware of itself. He then explores this system: how consciousness works, why it is not transparent to introspection, and what sense it makes in the context of evolution.

The "consciousness revolution" and the integrative focus of neuroscience have made it possible to make concrete formerly mysterious ideas about the human mind. Torey's model of the mind is the logical outcome of this, highlighting a coherent and meaningful role for a reflectively aware humanity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 026251284X
• ISBN13: 9780262512848
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: MIT Press
• Length: 247 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

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.'