Nicholas Humphrey Livres

 The contemporary rabbi is influenced by the modern rabbinic establishments throughout the world, including the rabbinate in Israel. The rabbinate's monopoly on opinions and interpretations prevents rabbis from expressing their individual positions out of fear of delegitimization. The current structure gives the public a negative impression of the rabbinic establishment. The Importance of the Community Rabbi strives to describe and delineate key requirements for a good rabbi, i.e., one who can provide socially acceptable halachic solutions within the parameters of Orthodox thinking. Rabbi Sperber elucidates the halachic techniques and mechanisms that may be used toward this goal. These are further illustrated with stories from rabbinic literature and examples from various responsa.

Exploring a groundbreaking perspective, the book delves into the essence and significance of consciousness, challenging traditional views. It presents innovative theories that redefine our understanding of awareness and its role in human experience. By examining the interplay between consciousness and reality, the author invites readers to reconsider their assumptions and engage with profound philosophical questions about existence and perception. This thought-provoking work aims to inspire a deeper exploration of the mind's capabilities and the nature of reality itself.

Humphries offers an explanation of why consciousness makes compelling evolutionary sense. From sensations that probably began in bodily expression to evolutionary advantages of a conscious self, he tracks the hard problem of consciousness to its source and its solution, one in which the very hardness of the problem may make all the difference.

The mind-body problem is widely seen as the great remaining challenge to science and philosophy. Why and how did matter evolve to take on the quality of mind? The author takes the reader to the edges of current knowledge and back to the beginning of time, before mind existed, and in doing so constructs a history of consciousness.

Exploring the origins and nature of consciousness, this book delves into profound questions about human awareness and its implications for the future. It examines various theories and perspectives, inviting readers to reflect on the essence of being and the potential paths consciousness may lead us down. Through thought-provoking insights, the author challenges conventional views and encourages a deeper understanding of our cognitive experiences.

Exploring the complexities of faith and personal belief, this book delves into the transformative journeys of its characters as they confront challenges that test their convictions. Through a blend of poignant storytelling and deep philosophical inquiry, it examines the interplay between doubt and belief, inviting readers to reflect on their own spiritual paths. The narrative weaves together themes of redemption, resilience, and the search for meaning in a world filled with uncertainty.

Not only an evolutionary history of consciousness but also an attempt to explain the 'Meaning of Life'.

Exploring the evolution of human consciousness, the book delves into phenomena like "phantom pain" and "blindsight" to illustrate how raw sensations underpin conscious experiences. The author, Humphrey, posits that consciousness has developed over time from our ancestors' basic reactions to pain and pleasure, emphasizing the continuity of mental faculties throughout evolution. This thought-provoking analysis challenges readers to reconsider the origins and nature of consciousness itself.

The mind is the brain. Each mental state -- each hope, fear, thought -- can be identified with a particular physical state of the brain, without remainder. So argues Nicholas Humphrey in this highly readable yet scholarly essay. He offers strong support for his "identity theory" from evolution. His controversial claim is discussed and challenged in commentaries by authors such as Andy Clark ( Being There , 1997), Daniel Dennett ( Consciousness Explained , 1991; Darwin's Dangerous Idea , 1995) and Ralph Ellis ( Questioning Consciousness , 1995). Humphrey rounds off the book with a response to his critics. An excellent short introduction to the mind-body problem and the study of consciousness.

Exploring the evolutionary history of consciousness, the author investigates the nature of sentience beyond humans, questioning whether other animals or future machines can experience it. Through a blend of intellectual adventure and scientific inquiry, he shares insights from his research on blindsight in monkeys and social intelligence. His aim is to unravel the "hard problem" of phenomenal consciousness, proposing it as a sophisticated evolutionary advancement with significant implications for understanding sentience in nonhuman beings.