Andrew Brook is developing “A Unified Theory of Consciousness”

SSHRC Grant 2006 – Research Profile
Andrew Brook, Department of Philosophy; Institute of Cognitive Science
Project Title: “A Unified Theory of Consciousness”

The Institute of Cognitive Science’s Andrew Brook is writing a book entitled “A Unified Theory of Consciousness” with Paul Raymont, a recent SSHRC post-doc. The book is under contract to MIT Press and will address three objectives that are intended:

* to account for all the main varieties of consciousness within a single theory;
* to unify consciousness with general human cognition; and,
* to build the theory on the unity of consciousness.

One of the best-known consciousness researchers, Dr. Bernie Baars, said of the title, “That is the most audacious title I have ever seen.” To which Brook and Raymont responded, “It only says ‘a’ unified theory.”

The SSHRC grant will be used to support student assistance with the final stages of the project and travel to present aspects of the book at conferences and workshops.

“Consciousness is what makes life worth living. Without it, we’d have as much sense of ourselves and our world as a rock has. So it is remarkable that we know so little about it,” said Brook.