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Thompson writes throughout with verve and amiability... The Guardian
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From the Me press release...
Who are we? What is consciousness and how does it relate to what goes on in the brain? What is it to be a unique individual? These are some of the most hotly debated questions in philosophy today and they have a direct bearing upon the way we understand ourselves. Looking at the subject from a refreshingly new angle, Mel Thompson argues that while traditional questions about how the mind relates to the body go some way to explaining who we are, ultimately they fail to reveal the heart of the matter – the self that we experience.
In a world where events are constantly re-shaping our lives, is it possible to have a fixed idea of “me”? Can we ever really know our friends and family and, likewise, can they truly know us? If we want to know another person, which is more useful, a biography or a brainscan? These are just some of the questions that are examined in this fascinating and thought-provoking book.
Drawing on personal reflection and anecdote and on writings from philosophy, science, religion and literature, Thompson explores the idea that the self is not a fixed entity, but a process by which our senses and memory work together to create a unique and personal map of the world around us – a map that enables us to feel ‘at home’, to relate to others, and to give value and meaning to our lives.
Guiding the reader through one of life’s most challenging questions in a way that is both logical and accessible, Me is a well-written and uplifting book that, while acknowledging that we cannot give a definitive answer the question “Who am I?”, argues that the process that develops the illusion of a separate ‘me’ ‘not only gives character to characterless neurons and sense organs, but also transforms the external world of physical matter into one that is mapped out with value, beauty, friendship, meaning and significance.’
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From Mark Vernon, the series editor:
'From Plato to Bertrand Russell philosophers have engaged wide audiences on matters of life and death. The Art of Living series aims to open up philosophy's riches to a wider public once again. Taking its lead from the concerns of the ancient Greek philosophers, the series asks the question "How should we live?". Authors draw on their own personal reflections to write philosophy that seeks to enrich, stimulate and challenge the reader's thought about their own life. In a world where people are searching for new insights and sources of meaning, The Art of Living showcases the value of philosophy and reveals it as a great untapped resource for our age.'
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