The quest for consciousness A neurobiological approach

The concept of consciousness provides seemingly endless fodder for philosophers and has, in recent years, provided the basis for many interesting books on the neural basis of consciousness. As a behavioral neurobiologist, Koch (California Inst. of Technology) takes a refreshingly pragmatic approach to the problem, using perhaps the best studied and most thoroughly understood realm of neuroscience--the physiology of vision--as an approachable window on the mystery of consciousness. From the outset, he states that the problem is far from solved. So little is known, in fact, that Koch is admittedly building a conceptual framework (developed in collaboration with Francis Crick, celebrated discoverer of DNA structure) to help elucidate the neural correlates of consciousness, the biophysical basis of awareness. Fascinating insight comes from the outer limits of visual experience. Brain regions left dark in most biology courses are illuminated as likely components of consciousness; pathological revelations such as blindsight exemplify the complex interrelationships between seeing and perceiving. Koch's text, deeply rooted in experimental neuroscience, is nevertheless very accessible; written from the enthusiastic first person point of view, it is both stimulating and educational. The subject, however, remains fascinatingly mysterious. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers. M. S. Grace Florida Institute of Technology