"One of the most provocative thinkers on the planet" Chet Raymo, The Boston GlobeWhat is consciousness? Why does it remain a mystery? In THE MAGIC OF CONSCIOUSNESS, Daniel Dennett takes viewers on a fascinating journey backstage, behind the mind's curtain, to reveal the inner workings of the magic show we call consciousness - and why it evolved.
Setting his stage with "the problem of consciousness," Dennett illuminates how human biases have, for centuries, insisted that consciousness must be irreducibly mysterious--like "real" magic. Of course, "real" magic refers to magic which does not really exist and can not really be performed.
Now, using evolutionary and cognitive science as his canvas, Dennett illustrates why understanding consciousness means understanding the "stage-magic" of the mind - the kind of magic that actually does exist and is not so "magical" after all. The kind of magic performed by a magician- the human brain.
Drawing on everything from neuroscience to the world of art, Dennett reverse-engineers the stage magic of the mind: From the experience of deja vu, to magic tricks and optical illusions. In doing so, Dennett powerfully demonstrates that once we begin to see how the brain creates "illusions" we can begin to imagine how it creates consciousness.
This exclusive presentation for the classroom by Daniel Dennett will provoke, entertain, and inspire viewerss to think about THE MAGIC OF CONSCIOUSNESS in entirely new ways.
Seven-part DVD for easy reference:
1. The Problem of Consciousness
2. The Indian Rope Trick
3. Stage Magic of the Mind
4. Computationalism
5. Reverse Engineering the Magic Show
6. Dilemma of the Subject
7. The 'Magic' of Consciousness
***Also YOU CAN DOWNLOAD the Comprehensive Instructor's Package FREE
Each of Daniel Dennett's new DVDs (see also DARWIN'S DANGEROUS IDEA) is accompanied by an online Instructor's Package. This package includes a seven part Teaching Guide. Also included are three key articles by Daniel Dennett. These articles complement your DVD and provide additional in-depth background to facilitate classroom discussion. These articles may also be assigned as outside reading.
Instructor's Package includes:
Teaching Guide
Material outline
Suggested uses
Discussion/writing questions
Key visuals from the video
Plus Three key articles by Daniel Dennett
*** SPECIAL PRICE when both MAGIC and DARWIN ordered at same time!!! See #10270