This book reviews some of the most important scientific and philosophical theories concerning the nature of mind and consciousness. Current theories on the mind-body problem and the neural correlates of consciousness are presented through a series of biographical sketches of the most influential thinkers across the fields of philosophy of mind, psychology and neuroscience. The book is divided into two parts: the first is dedicated to philosophers of mind and the second, to neuroscientists/experimental psychologists. Each part comprises twenty short chapters, with each chapter being dedicated to one author. A brief introduction is given on his or her life and most important works and influences. The most influential theory/ies developed by each author are then carefully explained and examined with the aim of scrutinizing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches to the nature of consciousness.

Part 1. Philosophical Theories of Consciousness: David Chalmers

Paul and Patricia Churchland
Tim Crane
Donald Davidson
Daniel Dennett
René Descartes
Jerry Fodor
Jaegwon Kim
William Lycan
Collin McGinn
Thomas Nagel
Alva Noë
Hilary Putnam
David Rosenthal
John Searle
Part 2. Scientific Theories of Consciousness: Bernard Baars
Francis Crick and Christof Koch
Antonio Damasio
Stanislas Dehaene
Merlin Donald
John Eccles and Karl Popper
Gerald Edelman
Nicholas Humphrey
Julian Jaynes
Benjamin Libet
John Kevin O'Regan
Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff
Giulio Tononi
Max Velmans
Semir Zeki.