Structuring Mind: The Nature of Attention and how it Shapes Consciousness

by Sebastian Watzl (Author)

In today’s fast-paced world, where multitasking is often seen as a virtue, attention can seem like a scarce commodity. But what exactly is attention, and how does this mental process shape our consciousness? These are the questions Sebastian Watzl, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, sets out to answer in his book, “The Nature of Attention: a Unified Theory.”

In this ambitious and thought-provoking work, Watzl argues that attention is not just an add-on feature of the mind, but rather a central structural component that integrates and coordinates the different parts of our cognitive system. Attention, according to Watzl, is the act of regulating priority structures, deciding what to focus on and what to ignore. This, in turn, affects the way we perceive, think, feel, and act.

The book is divided into two parts. In the first part, Watzl provides a detailed analysis of the nature of attention, drawing on insights from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. His analysis is based on the idea that attention is not a unitary entity, but a complex process that involves multiple subcomponents, such as perceptual attention, cognitive attention, and motivational attention. These subcomponents interact with each other to create a unified attentional system that guides our mental activity.

One of the strengths of Watzl’s approach is that he avoids making arbitrary distinctions between different types of attention, such as voluntary versus involuntary attention. Instead, he argues that all attention is intrinsically motivated, meaning that it is driven by an underlying goal or intention. This view of attention is not only more nuanced but also more applicable to real-world situations, where attention is often influenced by a combination of factors, such as relevance, novelty, and emotional salience.

In the second part of the book, Watzl turns his attention to the relationship between attention and consciousness. Here, he offers a provocative thesis: that attentional structure shapes consciousness into what is central and what is peripheral. In other words, what we attend to not only affects what we perceive, but also determines what we consider to be the most important or meaningful aspects of our experience.

Watzl goes on to argue that this center-periphery structure of consciousness cannot be reduced to the way the world appears to us. Instead, it reflects a kind of active engagement with the world, where we consciously choose to focus on certain aspects of our experience while ignoring others. This, he contends, is what gives rise to our subjective perspective and makes consciousness irreducible to purely objective descriptions of the world.

Overall, “The Nature of Attention” is a fascinating and highly original book that offers a fresh perspective on one of the most fundamental processes of the mind. Watzl’s prose is clear and concise, and his arguments are well-supported by empirical evidence and philosophical insights. For anyone interested in the nature of attention, consciousness, or the mind-body problem, this book is a must-read.

If you’re thinking of ordering this book, you won’t be disappointed. Its rich and engaging content will keep you hooked from start to finish. The author ensures that the reader grasps the concepts correctly, regardless of whether they are a philosophical novice or an expert. The book is available in both hardback format and digital format, with the latter being more convenient during these COVID times. The eBook digital format consists of 352 pages and is available on various platforms. The publisher is Oxford University Press, ensuring that it is a quality publication. The book is in English and readily available with ISBN-10: 0199658420 and ISBN-13: 978-0199658428.

In conclusion, “The Nature of Attention” is a book that will leave a lasting impression on its readers. It is insightful, well-written, and intellectually stimulating. By offering a unified theory of attention and consciousness, Watzl has made a significant contribution to the fields of philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. So what are you waiting for? Order your copy now and explore the fascinating world of attention and consciousness!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (May 23, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199658420
• ISBN-13: 978-0199658428