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.
Foreword by Sten Grillner Introduction: The Ultimate Questions of Consciousness, Life and the Universe 1. A Tale of Millions of Years: The Origin of Consciousness Research (from the Old Stone Age to the Middle Ages) 2. A Five-Century Quest: Explaining Consciousness (17th century – today) 3. Towards the Ultimate Understanding of Consciousness: Tracing the Deep Roots in Life and the Universe 4. Expand Consciousness: Towards the Unknown 5. Conclusion: Create the Future
Biography
Xue Fan is a researcher in epistemology and history of science and technology at the Brain Mind Institute at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), specializing in neuroscience and consciousness studies. Xue Fan gained a PhD in epistemology and history of science and technology and a PhD in literature and philosophy from Paris Diderot University.
